As we slowly snake our way towards the BCS National Championship on Jan. 11, the BCS Bowl bonanza rolls on, giving us appetizers in anticipation of the main course. On Jan. 3, Stanford and Virginia Tech travel to sunny Miami Gardens, Florida for the Orange Bowl, the third of the BCS Bowl series. 

The Stanford Cardinal may just be the best one-loss team in the country. Only a slip-up against BCS No. 2 Oregon spoiled the Cardinal's bid for perfection in 2010. Head coach Jim Harbaugh's smash-mouth, physical style of play earned the Cardinal a reputation that preceded them; one they lived up to in 2010. Of course, it helps to have a likely No. 1 draft pick and Heisman finalist -- Andrew Luck -- at the helm, as well. A balanced offensive attack and strong defense makes Stanford a nightmare matchup for anyone.

Virginia Tech took a different route to the Orange Bowl, recovering from early season embarrassment to run the table in the ACC and earn a BCS bid. In the most anticipated early-season game of 2010, Virginia Tech took Boise State down to the wire before falling, 33-30. The next week, as the Hokies hosted James Madison, an FCS school, the season very nearly entered a death spiral. Virginia Tech lost to JMU -- AT HOME -- and fell to 0-2 on the year. Surprisingly, the Hokies never lost again, winning their next 11 games, including the ACC Championship.

On Jan. 3 at 8:30 p.m., Stanford and Virginia Tech hit the field in the Orange Bowl. ESPN has your broadcasting needs covered.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more, and connect with Virginia Tech fans at SB Nation's Gobbler Country and Stanford fans at Rule of Tree. For a complete list of bowl games, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.