Skip Holtz and East Carolina are expecting No. 22 Virginia Tech's best shot.

For several reasons, the Pirates figure to have the Hokies' full attention when they play Thursday night.

Virginia Tech (5-3) is clinging to a national ranking after two straight losses, is trying to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2003 and certainly remembers how East Carolina knocked off the Hokies in the opener last year.

Holtz expects the Hokies to bounce back, but is hoping that doesn't happen for another week. He's looking to give his team another program-validating victory.

The Pirates (5-3) are hosting a ranked team for the first time since they knocked off then-No. 8 West Virginia last year.