Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510190033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Hokies had just been embarrassed at home 16-0 by 14-point underdog Cincinnati. They were 0-2. They were almost buried.
"Things certainly didn't look too good,'' recalled Billy Conaty, Tech junior center.
"Starting off that bad you just think you're the worst team in the world. Everything was horrible.''
Not anymore, though. Four straight victories later, a streak sparked by a benchmark 13-7 upset of Miami, has Tech suddenly looking at a Big East Conference championship and trip to a major bowl game.
The Big East door reopened wide for Tech last Saturday when Boston College was upset by West Virginia, 31-19. It was the first conference loss for BC, which beat Tech 20-14 in the season opener.
"When BC lost it threw it right back in our hands,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech coach.
"We've got as good a shot as anyone now. If we can handle our own destiny we can't do any worse than tie for the championship. If win these next four conference games, Virginia Tech has reached heights that we've never reached ... we're getting ready to go the Sugar Bowl.''
A four-game sweep of Rutgers, West Virginia, Syracuse and Temple would leave Tech 6-1 in the league. In that scenario, none of the other four contenders - WVU, Syracuse, Miami and BC - could finish any better than 6-1.
Tech (4-2) and BC (2-4) are tied for third in the Big East at 2-1. Miami (2-3) is 1-1. Syracuse (5-1) and WVU (3-3), which meet Saturday at the Carrier Dome, lead the pack at 2-0.
The Hokies' edge is they have both WVU and Syracuse left to play. No matter which one of the leaders wins Saturday, it still has to deal with Tech.
"That's what's great about our position now,'' said Chris Malone, Tech senior offensive guard.
"It's all up to us now. For a while it was out of our hands. Now it's back in our hands. We like that position because we feel like the first time we let it slip away. I'm pretty sure we won't let it happen to us again.''
Schedule-wise, Tech arguably has the best chance to get to 6-1. Besides next week's stop against WVU in Morgantown, the Hokies will be solid favorites in their other three league games - this week at Rutgers, Syracuse at home (Nov. 4) and Temple in Washington, D.C. (Nov. 11).
Meanwhile, WVU, besides playing at Syracuse and entertaining Tech, has to go to Miami (Nov. 18). Syracuse, in addition to WVU and Tech, has BC left at home (Nov. 18) and a trip to Miami (Nov. 25).
BC still has Miami at home (Nov. 11) and the trip to Syracuse. Besides the BC visit, Miami has WVU and Syracuse both at home.
"I think it will be hard to win [the conference] outright,'' Conaty said. "But it's kind of evenly matched and I think a lot of people will be beating each other.''
With the Big East in the Bowl Alliance, there are no tiebreakers in the league for any position. If, for instance, Tech and Miami finish tied for first at 6-1, the bowls may choose whatever team they want regardless of head-to-head meetings.
That's why it's so important for Tech to win the title outright. If Tech and Miami tie for the title, who do the you think the Sugar Bowl or Orange Bowl will pick?
"I guess the way they pick things you'd almost have to expect [a bowl to select] Miami,'' Conaty said. "We haven't gotten much respect in the past and this year should be no different.
"It would be an injustice and we'd be mad, sure. But [the Hurricanes] also have out-of-conference losses and we clearly beat 'em up. I think we're definitely the better team but I can't control who is picking the bowls. No matter what happens, we should still have a chance for a good bowl.''
Big East No. 2 will end up in the Gator Bowl. A third Big East club will go to the Carquest Bowl. Big East No. 4, if the league has four teams with the qualifying six Division I-A victories, goes to the Liberty Bowl.
At this point, Tech is simply glad to be in a hunt.
"I'm just thankful we've got a chance to play for something down the stretch,'' Beamer said.
Ditto, say the players.
"After the first two games this was a position we just hoped to get to,'' said Lawrence Lewis, Tech senior defensive end.
"Now it's on us. It's not like we have to wait on somebody else to do something. Whatever happens is either going to be our fault or our reward.''
by CNB