
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 15, 1995                   TAG: 9511150041
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CAVALIERS FAVORED BY 4

Virginia has been installed as an early four-point favorite over Tech. Since failing to cover the spread in losses to Boston College and Cincinnati, Tech had covered in six consecutive games before the Temple game hit on the 22-point line. There was no betting line offered in Las Vegas on the Hokies' game with Akron.

Saturday's game marks only the second time this season Tech has been an underdog. The Hokies were 91/2-point 'dogs against Miami, which they beat 13-7. Virginia is 4-6 against the spread this season.

Blue-collar bunch

Unlike many Hokies and their backers, defensive tackle J.C. Price said he understands some of the not-so-great thoughts recently aired on ESPN concerning Tech's lack of a national name.

``The only thing I'd say was unfair is how they keep talking about how the Bowl Alliance wants to take Miami and Syracuse, and yet, we beat both of those teams,'' Price said.

``But then again, those teams have been in the winning business longer than we have. We're an up-and-coming program and I think this Big East championship might have marked the arrival of Virginia Tech on the national scene.

``We're not as publicized and as well-known. I have no problems with that. We're a blue-collar team and we get blue-collar exposure.''

Hokies-'Hoos hodgepodge

Virginia has posted seven or more victories in nine consecutive seasons, an ACC record. Only two other ACC schools have managed eight consecutive winning seasons - Maryland (1973-80) and Clemson (1977-84). Florida State has 19 consecutive winning seasons, but the Seminoles are in only their fourth ACC autumn. ... This is the 100th anniversary of the first Tech-UVa football meeting, and the 77th game returns the series to its most familiar location. Tech and UVa have played in Charlottesville 32 times, 21 times in Blacksburg, 16 at Roanoke's Victory Stadium, four times in Richmond and three in Norfolk.

by CNB