ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609090118
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 SPORTS EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: JACK BOGACZYK
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
In the first 94 seasons since they first played a football game - in 1895 - Virginia and Virginia Tech combined to play in eight bowl games.
In the seven years since, the state's two Division I-A rivals have played in nine bowls.
You'll be able to add two more this season.
The Hokies and Cavaliers begin the season in similar fashion tonight, against Mid-American Conference teams. They'll finish it similarly, too, in Florida bowl games. If one of these teams isn't a lock for the Gator Bowl, then who is?
The difference between a 9-2 and 8-3 season for both could be who wins their Nov.29 date at Lane Stadium and the first Commonwealth Cup.
And someone must win. There no longer are ties in college football.
Tech opens at Akron, sharing with Tennessee the second-longest winning streak in college football, 10 games, the last a Sugar Bowl victory over Texas - a team that visits UVa on Sept.28.
That will be a huge day for both state teams. Tech meets Big East favorite Syracuse in the Carrier Dome a few hours before the Longhorns play at Scott Stadium.
Otherwise, if anyone is going to stop the Cavaliers and Hokies, it figures to happen late. Both schools have become television regulars, and their glamour games are in the last five weeks of the season.
Virginia is the only team in ACC history with nine consecutive seasons of seven or more wins. Florida State hasn't been in the league that long, but would share that honor.
Tech, coming off its first Big East title, has won 27 games in three straight bowling seasons. Only Miami matches that figure in the Big East. Only 11 schools have won more, led by Nebraska's 36.
So, other than Syracuse and Florida State, who could be the worst enemies for the Hokies and 'Hoos this season?
Themselves.
Tech coach Frank Beamer believes a lack of depth at several positions might be the Hokies' trouble. No, the Hokies' trouble seems to be trouble.
With the latest off-field incident having come to light, Beamer doesn't just have to win. He must prove he has control of his team. He promised Tech's Board of Visitors the shenanigans would stop.
They haven't. The Hokies' depth has been diminished by discipline problems and suspensions - and not by youngsters but veteran players who should know better.
Tech had its most impressive season a year ago not only because it had speed and talent and underrated recruits strengthened by the plan of weight coach Mike Gentry, but also because of superb senior leadership.
The Hokies have similar ability to a year ago with returnees like Ken Oxendine, Cornell Brown, Brandon Semones and Jim Druckenmiller, but will they all be pulling in the same direction?
Tech visits Boston College next Saturday in a Big East game that's just as huge as it was when the Hokies won at Chestnut Hill two seasons ago.
Virginia starts tonight against Central Michigan, and has a legitimate shot at being 6-0 on Oct.26 when it visits Florida State, where the Seminoles are looking past even Miami for the chance to avenge last year's thriller of a first-time ACC loss in Charlottesville.
UVa has Roanoke twins Tiki at tailback and Ronde at cornerback, but George Welsh's program has a lot more speed than that belonging to the Barbers of C'ville.
Welsh, usually rare with his praise, has been talking up his secondary. That's an area that must be improved. UVa made it exciting for Welsh too often last year by allowing long pass completions.
In punter Will Brice and placement man Rafael Garcia, UVa has one of the best kicking games in the nation. Virginia's offense still must prove it can get into the end zone from the red zone, too.
From this perspective, Virginia's offense is better than it's been projected. The receiving corps is solid and complements Tiki Barber's ground work.
A lot of people are rooting for patient, longtime backup Tim Sherman as the Cavaliers quarterback, although he hasn't clinched the job over an anxious Aaron Brooks, who will get his chance.
Sherman, a diabetic, played well when given an opportunity in backing up Mike Groh last season. Had Welsh stuck with Sherman after Groh was knocked silly by the Hokies, UVa probably would have won that game.
That, of course, is history, which, until recent years, wasn't much to speak of for these two programs. This year, unlike last, neither will win its conference championship.
Neither will be too far down from the top, however.
LENGTH: Medium: 86 linesby CNB