Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 13, 1993 TAG: 9311130040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia Tech's guest, Syracuse, was ranked No. 6 in the preseason Associated Press poll. Virginia's host, Clemson, had not lost to the Cavaliers in South Carolina in 18 games.
Certainly, nobody would have predicted that the Hokies and Cavaliers would be 7 1/2- and 6 1/2-point favorites, respectively.
"I don't know if [the oddsmakers] have been watching the same game films I have," said Frank Beamer, Tech's coach. "[But] it's a credit to the players and [assistant] coaches that we're in this position."
A victory would put the Hokies (6-3 overall, 3-3 Big East) in good shape for their first bowl bid in seven seasons under Beamer. The Independence Bowl has shown strong interest in Tech, which also has caught the attention of the Carquest Bowl and Peach Bowl.
Syracuse (5-3-1, 2-3) is not out of the running for a bowl bid, but the Orangemen lost much of their attractiveness when they were beaten three times in four games, including back-to-back shutouts by Miami (49-0) and West Virginia (43-0).
"If anyone had said, `OK, get it down to the Syracuse game and you're playing for the right to go to a bowl,' we would have jumped on it," Beamer said. "I think this is a big day in Blacksburg."
A crowd of 40,000 is expected at Lane Stadium, and the game will be televised on the Big East network (noon, WSLS Channel 10). At the same time, 18th-ranked Virginia (7-2 overall, 5-2 ACC) will meet Clemson (6-3, 4-3) in a game that will be shown on the ACC network (WSET Channel 13).
UVa would clinch at least a share of second place in the ACC with a victory. That almost certainly would put the Cavaliers in the Peach Bowl, which would be unlikely to invite co-No. 2 North Carolina for the second year in a row.
A loss would not knock either Tech or Virginia out of the bowl picture, but it would add significance to the Nov. 20 game between the Cavaliers and Hokies in Charlottesville.
"I don't think it's safe to say we're in [a bowl] one way or another," said Jim Copeland, UVa's athletic director.
Clemson was picked to finish third in the ACC and was ranked No. 23 in the AP's preseason poll, but the Tigers lost at home to Wake Forest for the first time since 1961 and were shut out by conference powers Florida State (57-0) and North Carolina (24-0).
"They have such a history against Virginia that it's ridiculous," said UVa co-captain Mark Dixon, mindful that the Cavaliers lost the first 29 games in the series. "It's a joke how bad they've beaten us in the past.
"That's always in the back of your head because people don't let you forget it."
Dixon, named to several preseason All-America teams at guard, said today's game will be the biggest of his career because he will be lined up against 6-2, 300-pound Clemson defensive tackle Brentson Buckner, a likely first-round pick in the National Football League draft.
"I feel the same way," Buckner said. "[Dixon] is probably the best offensive lineman in America from what I've seen. I've got to be at my best because he's going to be at his best almost every snap."
Some of that can be chalked up to pregame hype, but Dixon is one of the nation's top offensive linemen, a group that certainly would include Virginia Tech's Jim Pyne. The Hokies' center will be across the line from All-Big East nose guard Kevin Mitchell, like Pyne one of the finalists for the Lombardi Award as the nation's top lineman.
The Orangemen gave up 222 points in the first eight games, which is more than they permitted in 12 games last season, when they won seven of their last eight to finish 10-2. The only loss during that stretch was to Miami, 16-10, and the Orangemen beat Colorado 26-22 in the Fiesta Bowl.
"They've got plenty of credibility as far as I'm concerned," said Beamer, who has an 0-3 record against the Orangemen. "I don't know anything in particular that's happened to them. I've got enough trouble figuring out my own team."
by CNB