Thursday night on ESPN, the Virginia Tech Hokies head to Greenville, NC to take on the East Carolina Pirates and will be trying to snap a two game losing streak.

This game against the Pirates may be just what the Hokies need to get back on track, however East Carolina doesn't plan on laying down and playing dead in a non-conference match-up.

NCAA odds makers like Virginia Tech's chances against the Pirates in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Vegas line is sitting at, the Hokies -13 with the total in the contest set at 51.

Back on October 10th, Virginia Tech beat Boston College 48-14 for its fifth straight win putting them right smack in the middle of the national championship picture. But just a few short weeks later, the Hokies find themselves out of contention for a national title and needing help to win the ACC.

Virginia Tech hasn't lost three in a row since dropping its final two regular-season games and falling 52-49 to California in the 2003 Insight Bowl. The Hokies were 5-3 at this point last year and went on to win five of six to finish 10-4.

East Carolina will need their strong ground game to take center stage for their offense in this game for the Pirates to have a chance. East Carolina rushed for 158 yards against Virginia Tech last season and a season-high 275 in a 38-19 win at Memphis last Tuesday.

Look for the Pirates to keep this one close for a while, but the Hokies will pull away late. The 13 points that Virginia Tech has to give scares me.

Take the Pirates getting the points.