By Ralph D. Russo
The Associated Press

LANDOVER, Md. - It's been awhile since Virginia Tech entered a season unranked, with modest expectations. A win tonight over No. 1 Southern California would change perceptions of this year's Hokies in a hurry.

"If we can shake things up the first game, there's no telling what the future holds for us," defensive end Jim Davis said.

The Hokies and Trojans play the first big game of the season tonight in the Black Coaches Association Classic at FedEx Field.

The Trojans rejoined college football's elite with a national championship last season. The Hokies, meanwhile, slipped out of the class of perennial title contenders with an 8-5 record. Tech is entering the season unranked for the first time since 1998, the year before Michael Vick took it to a national title game.

"After Michael Vick left, expectations were really high," quarterback Bryan Randall said. "We were preseason top 10 a couple of times in the last couple of years, but that's a good thing. But you also have to live up to those expectations, which can sometimes be a negative if you're not producing."

In the last three seasons, the Hokies have won 26 games but are only 6-11 after Nov. 1, and each year they've played in a less prestigious bowl game. Last year, Tech climbed to No. 3 in the polls before losing five of seven games - including the Insight Bowl to California.

The luster clearly has come off the Hokies. Now they are looking to get it back, and there's no better way to do that than to knock off No. 1, which Virginia Tech has never done in six tries. USC is a 17 1/2-point favorite.

"It's a huge opportunity for us as a ballclub to go out there and gain some respect," Randall said.

Randall has the top job to himself this season after sharing it last year with Marcus Vick, Michael's brother who was suspended from school for getting into legal trouble in the offseason.

Randall threw for 1,996 yards and 16 touchdowns and was second on the team in rushing with 404 yards in 2003.

The Hokies' ground game is led by Cedric Humes, who averaged 5.8 yards a carry last season.

The Trojans lost several stars from last season's 12-1 squad, including All-America wide receiver Mike Williams, whose request to regain his eligibility after an ill-fated attempt to turn pro was denied by the NCAA on Thursday.

USC returns quarterback Matt Leinart but is breaking in four new starters on its offensive line. They are sure to be a target for a Virginia Tech defense that likes to bring pressure.

"They're a very aggressive defense, they like to blitz a lot and they use a lot of man coverage," Leinart said. "They're going to be a good test for us."

No. 1 USC vs. Virginia Tech

Kickoff: 7:45 p.m. today.

Records: USC 12-1 last season,

Virginia Tech 8-5.

TV: ESPN.

Line: USC by 17 1/2.