Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511210080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Although it's a long shot to happen, there remains one scenario in which Miami would love to see Virginia Tech awarded the Big East Conference's Bowl Alliance bid.
If Miami had its way, Tech's chief threat for the much-debated alliance spot would step aside and immediately begin serving impending sanctions from the NCAA.
In a Nov.10 response to the NCAA's probe of improprieties in the Hurricanes' program, Miami requested that if its penalties included a bowl-ban it would like to have the option to take that particular sanction this year.
However, it's unlikely the NCAA will rule on Miami's case by Dec.3, the day bowl bids get passed out.
Paul Dee, Miami's athletic director, said the school would like to have the option to serve any possible bowl sanction this year.
``It would be nice,'' Dee said Monday. ``It's something we would consider.
``We haven't asked them [for expediency] but [the Infractions Committee] understands. We're not the first school to go before them in the fall with a decision to make about bowls.''
Dee got no assurances from the NCAA and was told the usual response time in such cases was four-to-six weeks. That said, the school is expecting an NCAA response around Dec.15, much too late to take a bowl-ban sanction this year.
``It's a waiting game,'' said Tech athletic director Dave Braine, speaking Monday night from the Big East meetings in Newark, N.J.
``I don't think they'll hear [from the NCAA], to be honest with you.''
With that in mind, 25th-ranked Miami (7-3) continues to posture itself for the alliance berth. The Hurricanes can grab a share of the Big East title with 13th-ranked Tech (9-2) by beating No.22 Syracuse on Saturday in Miami.
Since the Big East has no tiebreaker, the alliance pick is left in the hands of the selecting bowl (Sugar or Orange).
Due to its national reputation, not to mention much larger television market, Miami figures to have an upper hand on Tech.
That's despite the fact that Tech beat Miami 13-7 on Sept.23 in Blacksburg, will have a better record, and will finish with a considerably higher ranking.
That's all boloney to first-year 'Canes coach Butch Davis, who has quickly learned the ins-and-outs of the bowl politicking game.
``This is not a novel thing,'' Davis said Monday. ``There have been a lot of teams that have gotten bowl bids at 6-5, while 8-3 teams have stayed home.
``When the bowl people choose, believe me, they take a lot of things into account ... tradition, viewer preference, marketing.
``The conferences and bowls should have the option of who they want. There are other teams that have an advantage - Nebraska, Penn State, Notre Dame.
``It's not our fault we've been in 12 consecutive bowl games and have won four national titles.''
Davis doesn't buy the head-to-head argument, either. Tech also beat Syracuse, which can tie the Hokies for the league crown with a victory over 51/2-point favorite Miami.
``What if two teams played the second game of the season, and one of the teams had its two big stars hurt for that game, and they lose ... and then that team wins the rest of its games?
``Just because a team wins a head-to-head early matchup shouldn't be the deciding factor [for a tiebreaker].''
Braine, who plans to talk to Sugar and Orange Bowl officials today, said he's still optimistic about the Hokies' alliance chances.
``I still hear some people say that if Miami wins [Saturday], the Orange Bowl is going to take Miami,'' Braine said.
``Then again, the people who make that decision say that's not true. And, of course, I felt with our ranking being so much higher it would help.''
Syracuse could be the biggest help of all. If the Orangemen beat the 'Canes, Tech's alliance odds figure to be greatly enhanced. Tech crushed the Orange 31-7 on Nov.4.
``To say our chances would be better with a Syracuse win Saturday is a safe assumption,'' Braine said.
If Tech fails to land in the alliance, it will be extended a Gator Bowl bid, a source confirmed Monday night. Clemson (8-3) would be Tech's opponent in the Jacksonville, Fla.,-based game.
by CNB