BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Justin Fuentes new offense is getting a lot of attention during a three-game winning streak that has lifted Virginia Tech back into the national rankings, but the No. 17 Hokies defense cannot be overlooked at all.The Hokies (4-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have scored 132 points in the streak, including 49 against a Boston College team that was among the nations defense leaders. But Virginia Tech has also allowed just 20 points in the games, and 17 of them came in mop-up time during a 54-17 victory against East Carolina.The Hokies, who limited high-powered North Carolina to just 131 yards in a 34-3 victory Saturday , have the nations No. 2 pass defense (allowing 132 yards per game) and the No. 3 overall defense (allowing just 238 yards per game).Its what longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster was hoping to see after a subpar performance in 2015.Im not really surprised, redshirt junior linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka said Monday. Coach Foster is a genius and were just always confident in his game plan and stuff like that, and execute whatever he wants.The first 17 of the opponents points came after Virginia Tech led East Carolina 38-0 at halftime on its way to a 54-17 victory . The last three came Saturday as the Hokies limited a high-powered Tar Heels team to 131 yards.In Fosters constant drive for perfection, his players know better than to think they have it figured out, even though they have risen from an afterthought to No. 17 in the country and looking like Coastal Division contenders.The Hokies (4-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) will try to bolster their credentials further on Saturday at Syracuse (2-4, 0-2), where the Orange are running a new, fast-paced and potent offense, but struggle on defense.First-year Hokies coach Justin Fuente said he learned long ago, while serving as the offensive coordinator under Gary Patterson at TCU, that a wise head coach lets his coordinators master their expertise without meddling.Thats the way were doing it here with Bud, Fuente said. I want those guys to feel like they can go game plan and really hone in on their area of expertise within the frameworks of what were trying to set forth as a team. How nice is it to have good coaches on your staff? Its fantastic, whether its Bud, or (sepcial teams coordinator) James Shibest or (offensive coordinator) Brad Cornelsen or any of the guys that weve got.Foster, in his 30th season at Virginia Tech and 21st as defensive coordinator, has created a defensive culture in which his players are well aware of a decorated past, and their duty to make sure they join the ranks.It keeps them from getting comfortable when things seem to be going well.We always want to keep getting better each and every game, cornerback Brandon Facyson said. Theres always something we can work on to make our defense better than what it was the week before. Each week we just go into it (and see) what are the little things that we can fix to make our defense go to a step up from last weeks game.In the new world of Fuente and Foster, its the way both insist their players think.It truly is 12 one-game seasons. All those things can disappear if we dont take care of our business, Fuente said, adding that its the way the team has approached each game to date that has made their success happen. ... If we stop doing things, then well no longer find ourselves in this situation.---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr Air Jordan 4 Canada Online .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Air Jordan 4 Canada Free Shipping .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. http://www.airjordan4canada.com/ . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Wholesale Air Jordan 4 Canada . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Air Jordan 4 Canada . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Derek Carrs impressive sophomore season was only a first step.The Oakland Raiders are a fashionable pick to make the playoffs and even win the AFC West thanks to a quarterback who appears on the verge of becoming an upper-tier player for the next decade.Carr threw for 3,987 yards, 32 touchdowns and posted a 91.1 passer rating in 2015, helping the Raiders improve from 3-13 in 2014 to 7-9. Hes been on the rise and could get better as he continues to master coordinator Bill Musgraves system and develops more continuity with a supporting cast that features wide receiver Amari Cooper.Here are other players who could be trending upward in 2016:David Johnson, RB, Cardinals: After getting only 32 carries in the first 11 games, Johnson took over as the starter following an injury to Chris Johnson and put together a fantastic three-game stretch: 378 yards rushing, 3 TDs, 11 catches, 94 yards receiving. Theres plenty of hype surrounding the dynamic runner as he enters his second season. Hes big, strong, fast and shouldnt disappoint.Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers: Evans caught more passes for more yards but had far fewer TDs in 2015 (three) than he did his rookie season (12). He also led the team in dropped passes. But Evans should thrive in new coach Dirk Koetters system, which helped Roddy White and Julio Jones become superstars in Atlanta. Evans and quarterback Jameis Winston have a yyear together so expect them to develop into one of the top QB-WR tandems in the league.ddddddddddddLael Collins, LG, Cowboys: Collins lost millions when he went from being a projected first-round pick in 2015 to an undrafted free agent because of off-field issues. Dallas gambled on his talent and Collins started 11 games his rookie season. He can eventually make up that lost money by playing like a guy whose name is called by Commissioner Roger Goodell.Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Packers: He led the team with 100 tackles and added three sacks and two interceptions in his second season after a strong rookie year in 2014. Clinton-Dix should take the next step forward this season and earn a trip to Orlando for his first Pro Bowl.Ryan Shazier, ILB, Steelers: Staying healthy was Shaziers biggest challenge his first two seasons. He missed the first four games last year after missing parts or all of nine of the final 14 games his rookie year in 2014. When hes on the field, hes outstanding. Shazier had 13 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered one in a playoff win over Cincinnati last January. He should become the next dominant force for the Steel Curtain.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '