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The signs that No. 23 Virginia Tech is on a roll sometimes comes alongside clear indications that the Hokies still have plenty of improvements to make.
While the offense has rarely been better than in the 49-point first half against Wake Forest last week, the defense allowed scoring plays of 33, 87 and 78 yards, and saw redshirt freshman tailback Josh Harris burn it for 241 yards rushing, a record for a Hokies opponent.
For a team aiming for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship, lapses like that can be costly, and the Hokies (5-2, 3-0) hope to make progress on both fronts Saturday when they play Duke (1-5, 0-3) in the first of five straight Coastal Division matchups.
''I'm really not sure what's going on,'' safety Eddie Whitley said of the tendency of the defense to allow big plays. ''I've been telling the (defensive backs) we need to come out every series, every play the same way, just try to stop them every time. It's not a good feeling to have somebody come in and score in your end zone and you see them celebrating.''
Luckily for the Hokies, the offense has been doing that far more regularly. They've averaged 46 points in their past three games, and are averaging 36 overall.
It's a surge that has righted things after two losses to start the season.
''This is what we planned on doing - winning games,'' Whitley said. ''This is what we want to do. This is what were supposed to do. The first two losses were heartbreakers, last-minute type deals. ... This is what we knew we were capable of, and now it's showing.''
And setting up nicely for the season-ending gauntlet ahead.
After the Blue Devils, the Hokies play Georgia Tech, at North Carolina and at No. 25 Miami before closing out the year with their tradition curtain closer against Virginia.
''Luckily, right now we're on a roll,'' wide receiver Dyrell Roberts said, ''and hopefully we can keep putting the work in and stay on this roll and finish out the season strong.''
The Blue Devils have lost five straight since beating Elon of the FCS to open the season, but coach David Cutcliffe said his team feels close to turning the proverbial corner.
''They're spirited. They refuse to hang their heads,'' he said. ''We're so close in so many areas, and I'm hoping that's part of it. We've made more than enough mistakes to last an entire season. We all know that, and it's resulted in the record we have.''
Last week alone, Duke turned it over seven times against Miami, but lost just 28-13.
In redshirt sophomore quarterback Sean Renfree, the Hokies see a player who has thrown 10 of his 14 interceptions in the past three games, but has also shown he can inflict damage.
Three times he's thrown for 350 or more yards, and he has 10 touchdown passes.
''I think he just likes to let his guys try to make plays,'' cornerback Rashad Carmichael said. ''Any time you're playing against a guy like that, it can be dangerous because his attitude is, 'I really don't have anything to lose. I'm just trying to win this big game.'''
So, too, are the Hokies.
And the four that follow, too.
