WR Conner Vernon and Duke can become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 with a win at Virginia Tech. (US Presswire)

Duke (5-1, 2-0 ACC) at Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1 ACC)

Kickoff: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET (ACC Network)

Spread: Virginia Tech by 10.

Watchability: Duke needs just one more win to become bowl eligible, and the Blue Devils get their chance Saturday against a struggling Virginia Tech team that has lost three of its last four games. Duke QBs Sean Renfree and Anthony Boone have been splitting reps in practice this week. Hokies coach Frank Beamer is expecting to see both of them on Saturday.

Shining Stars: Duke: WR Conner Vernon set the ACC record for receptions last week and now has 239 for his career. On the season, Vernon is averaging 92.5 receiving yards per game with five touchdowns. He will be looking to take advantage of a Hokies secondary that has struggled at times this season. Virginia Tech: QB Logan Thomas threw for a career-high 354 yards with two touchdowns in last week’s loss at North Carolina. He also had a team-high 20 rushing yards and a score. Thomas has to carry a big load for Virginia Tech’s offense, both on the ground and through the air.

Who could steal the show: Duke: S Walt Canty leads the team with 53 tackles and is tied for the team lead with 5.5 tackles for loss. Canty made a couple big stops behind the line against Virginia Saturday and was named the ACC’s defensive back of the week. Virginia Tech: WR Marcus Davis has been one of the few reliable offensive skill players for Thomas this season. Davis leads the Hokies with 22 receptions for 441 yards. He also has two receiving touchdowns.

You going? Ranking the road trip: This is an afternoon game in Lane Stadium in front of a crowd that has not seen Virginia Tech start a season this poorly record-wise since 1992. The Hokies need a win to keep their early hopes of an ACC Coastal Division championship alive.

Magic number for Duke: 15. Duke has 15 sacks in its first six games. The Blue Devils had 16 sacks all of last season. DE Kenny Anunike is third in the league with 4.5 sacks of his own. On the flip side, Duke has given up just four sacks which is tied for the fewest sacks given up in the ACC.

Magic number for Virginia Tech: 40. Virginia Tech managed just 40 rushing yards last week at North Carolina, its lowest output since the opener against East Carolina in 2007. The Hokies have had issues along the offensive line and at running back where no one has distinguished himself to be the lead back.

The game comes down to: Whether Virginia Tech can get its running game going. Virginia Tech’s offense will have to score some points against Duke and will need to have balance to do so. The Blue Devils held Virginia to just two rushing yards in the second half last week after surrendering 184 in the first half.

Prediction: Duke 31, Virginia Tech 27

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.