North Carolina was still trying yesterday to overcome last week's stunning collapse against Florida State, while also getting ready for one of its toughest games of the season.

Shell-shocked UNC will play at Virginia Tech in its second consecutive Thursday night game and the first of three remaining road games. Coach Butch Davis said that the playing date has led to another unusual and demanding week for his team, which is winless in ACC play.

UNC hasn't beaten Virginia Tech in five games since it joined the ACC in 2004, but quarterback T.J. Yates is encouraged about this season's chances in knowing that two games were decided by three points and a third by seven.

"We've got to get back in the win column," Yates said. "We've got to get back on track and start playing like we know we can. We have a tough road ahead of us for the rest of the season. We've just got to do everything we can to get as many wins as possible."

UNC has dropped both of its decisions in Blacksburg since Virginia Tech became an ACC member. Davis said this season's Virginia Tech team appears to him to be the program's strongest since 1999, when it played in the national championship game.

Moreover, Davis thinks the Virginia Tech defense is the most ferocious that he has seen since becoming UNC's coach in the 2007 season.

Because of the mid-week playing day, UNC was forced to practice on Sunday, normally a day off, for the second consecutive week. Davis thought the practice was productive and what his team needed to get ready.

"When they came back Sunday we jumped right into Virginia Tech," he said. "We had an outstanding practice. They were eager to get back to practice.

"As soon as you start giving players things to focus on for the immediate future, it really helps them start to prioritize: OK, it's Virginia Tech, we've got to get busy and start thinking about them."

Yates saw something different from his vantage point.

"The energy was down a little bit at practice," he said. "It's just kind of understandable. I thought we did a good kind of just staying focused and working hard, trying to just get some good work in."

The defensive players were collecting their thoughts after surrendering 395 yards passing and three touchdowns to quarterback Christian Ponder of FSU. He completed his last 16 passes against a defense that statistically was ranked No. 1 in the ACC at the time.

E.J. Wilson, a defensive end, was among the players who thought that the defense lost composure in the second half when FSU charged back. He had not previously seen the defense react in such fashion when pushed.

"I can promise you, it won't happen again," he said. "We talked it over, a bunch of us guys, and we said we can't let this happen again. It's been a sick feeling in your stomach to let a big win like that on an historic night, in the first Thursday night game in Chapel Hill (slip away)."

Davis said that he has not spoken to his team about the five remaining games. He has not mentioned the three wins needed to assure a winning record. His statements have been only about Virginia Tech, about slippery Tyrod Taylor, the quarterback, and the special teams that have habits of blocking punts and placement kicks.

Wilson has no trouble not looking ahead. He still believes that UNC can beat any team on its schedule, and that most of the team's goals are still attainable.

And he's not so certain the bad feeling that he and other players have is a detriment.

"One thing about bad feelings in your stomach, as far as our team it's going to turn into hunger," he said. "It's going to turn into hunger to go out here and get this victory. It's going to turn into a hunger to go out there and play better and play to the level we know we can play."