BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - The bowl season is starting early for Virginia.

The Cavaliers (4-7, 2-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) lack the required number of victories to qualify for postseason play. So they're treating the annual matchup with Virginia Tech on Saturday as their bowl game.

There's no team in the country they would like to beat more.

The Hokies (5-6, 3-4) have won eight straight games in the series, and 12 of 13. Most of the games have been lopsided, especially recently. Tech won 42-13 in 2009, 37-7 in 2010 and 38-0 last season.

Virginia quarterback Michael Rocco says the streak makes the stakes just as high for the Cavaliers this season.

Virginia Tech needs to win to qualify for a bowl game for the 20th year in a row.