Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 21, 1994 TAG: 9408230034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It all depends on who you talk to at Virginia Tech, where the Hokies are ranked 22nd in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 college football poll released Saturday. It is believed to be the first time a Tech team has been ranked in the preseason; it's also exactly where Tech finished last season, and the Hokies are behind 1993 unranked teams Southern California (No.17 in '94), Texas (No.18) and Illinois (No.21). Michigan, which leapfrogged Tech in last year's final poll to finish 21st after bowl victories by both teams, is AP's preseason No.5 team.
``I guess they figure the things we did weren't good enough,'' tailback Dwayne Thomas said Saturday, before an intrasquad scrimmage. ``At least we still got ranked. ... We'll take what we can get.''
Tech was 9-3 last season, finishing with a 45-20 rout of Indiana in the Poulan/Weed-Eater Independence Bowl. Its losses were to West Virginia (No.7 in the final AP poll), Boston College (No.13) and Miami (No.15).
Safety Antonio Banks dismissed the rankings, saying that's not where the Hokies should look for reinforcement.
``We might look good on paper, but ... '' Banks said. ``Virginia Tech is one of those teams, they go to a bowl and [people say] they should have a losing season [the following year]. We're trying to dispel that myth. We just have to go out and play football.''
Tech, 2-8-1 in 1992, entered the '93 AP poll at No.25 after an Oct.30 victory over East Carolina made it 6-2. A 48-34 loss to BC the next week pushed the Hokies out of the poll, but they climbed back in at No.25 after their 45-24 victory over Syracuse. Tech's regular season-ending 20-17 victory over Virginia moved the Hokies to No.22.
Tech finished No.20 in last year's USA Today/CNN coaches' poll, and was No.19 in the preseason edition published Friday.
``I think that it's one of those situations where people see us making progress and strides, but they don't believe this team is for real,'' said Tech receiver Antonio Freeman. ``They're not going to put us any higher. We're just going to go out and work our way up the polls.''
Florida doesn't have to worry about working its way up. The Gators, No.3 in their own state for the past decade, are No.1 in the nation. Long overshadowed by Florida State and Miami, the Gators have 12 starters back from their Sugar Bowl championship team.
``We're certainly honored,'' said Steve Spurrier, Florida's coach. ``Being No.1 is very special to me, my players and all Gator fans.''
Florida edged Notre Dame by two points, the narrowest margin since the preseason poll began in 1950. The Gators received 15 first-place votes and 1,416 points from a nationwide media panel, while the Irish had 13 first-place votes and 1,414 points.
Spurrier, whose team won a school-record 11 games last season, said he's not worried about the pressure that comes with being No.1.
Similarly, Freeman and Thomas said they feel no pressure for Virginia Tech to try to repeat last season's success.
``We're just enjoying our accomplishments from last year, and trying to iron out the kinks in our program and get up to the top 15,'' Freeman said.
That's residential territory for Florida, Florida State and Miami. The Hurricanes have won four national championships since 1983 and compiled the best record in the country during that span. Florida State has finished in the top four for seven consecutive years, culminating with its first national title last season.
Now, Florida is ranked ahead of both teams. Florida State is No.3 in the preseason poll, and Miami is No.6.
``I can't wait to play our opening game [against New Mexico State] on Sept.3 and hear our 84,000 fans screaming `We're No.1,''' said Gators defensive end Kevin Carter .
It's the fifth consecutive year a team from the Sunshine State has been No.1 in the preseason poll. Miami got the nod in 1990 and '92, and Florida State was the pick in '91 and '93.
Notre Dame, which finished No.2 last season, is starting in the same spot this season. That's one place ahead of Florida State, which won the 1993 national title, even though the Seminoles lost to the Irish and both teams finished with one loss.
Nebraska, which finished third last season after losing to Florida State 18-16 in the Orange Bowl, is fourth in the preseason poll despite receiving more first-place votes (18) than any other team.
Michigan is fifth, followed by Miami, Arizona, Colorado, Penn State and Wisconsin. Completing the Top 25 are Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, UCLA, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio State, Illinois, Virginia Tech, Washington, West Virginia and Clemson.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
by CNB