ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 8, 1996 TAG: 9609090116
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
The MAC attack that opened the state's Division I-A football season isn't likely to occur again.
Virginia and Virginia Tech may share big-time football in the commonwealth, but they are of differing opinions on playing Mid-American Conference teams, which each did Saturday night.
Given a choice, UVa would rather play a state Division I-AA team - there are six of them - than bring in a MAC opponent again. The Hokies, who haven't played a I-AA opponent since 1992, are satisfied being one of five Big East opponents for MAC teams this season.
Mid-American opponents became increasingly popular for major I-A programs when the NCAA ruled that to be bowl eligible, a team needed six victories over I-A opposition. The I-AA games don't count.
Although the MAC plays I-A football, the Toledo, Ohio-based conference - in the shadow of the Big Ten - doesn't have the clout or the attendance to compete at the top level of the classification.
However, once MAC teams realized how desirable their presence was for larger-name programs, they upped the ante. That's occurred since Akron, a recent MAC addition, signed a four-for-one deal with Tech.
The Hokies probably couldn't get that kind of deal now. Tech made its solo trip to the Rubber Bowl on Saturday night, and Akron will finish the contract with a fourth visit to Blacksburg in 2000.
Virginia paid a $242,000 guarantee to MAC member Central Michigan on Saturday night. It was to be $200,000, but when UVa dropped William and Mary and wanted to move the game with the Chippewas a year later, the Michigan school asked for more - and got it.
Miami (Ohio) visits Tech next season for $200,000, which is pretty much a standard guarantee in I-A from Big East and ACC schools these days. That will give the Hokies two home games against Miamis, sure to cause some confusion.
The MAC school needed a game when it was dropped by Notre Dame for dedication date in an expanded (80,000-seat) stadium on the South Bend campus. ND will play Georgia Tech instead.
UVa already had bought out contracts with two I-AA opponents, W&M and VMI (2000 and '01) when it decided on a change in philosophy.
In August, Virginia athletic director Terry Holland said the Cavaliers would resume playing I-AA opponents, with Richmond visiting Scott Stadium next season.
``At the time the decision [to drop I-AA teams] was made, there was a strong feeling we needed to play another I-A team to qualify for a bowl game,'' Holland said.
The reversal of that decision - to a certain extent - reflects the prosperity of coach George Welsh's program. UVa no longer sweats reaching seven victories, even if one is against a I-AA foe.
Holland also likes the politics of playing a state I-AA team, and the additional ticket sales - and good will - it might generate. UVa will pay Richmond a $200,000 guarantee next year, too.
That isn't to say UVa will play a I-AA opponent every year. Welsh doesn't want that, and Holland isn't insisting on it, although this past week, he said, ``I'd just as soon see us play a I-AA state team as some other I-A team. I think it helps football in the state, even at the high school level.''
Gerry Capone, UVa's associate athletic director for football, said Holland and Welsh are almost on the same page.
``I think what Terry is saying is that if we can't find an attractive I-A team, then let's play a I-AA team that's local,'' Capone said. ``Let's not play any Tom, Dick and Harry just to be playing a I-A team.''
The problem for every school trying to add non-conference games is that more schools are in conferences - Conference USA begins football this season, subtracting from the I-A independents - and conferences are growing in number of members, too.
Tech athletic director Dave Braine said the Hokies' policy will not change. The Hokies won't play I-AA opponents. Their last one was James Madison, which received a $75,000 guarantee and a ticket allotment in '92.
``They [the NCAA] have said that record [for bowl qualification] is so important,'' said Braine, who also is chairman of the NCAA Special Events Committee, which sanctions bowls. ``As long as it's Division I-A wins they're counting, we won't play I-AA's.
``The bowls have always said they look at that. A I-AA game could make a difference whether you're selected or not. We're not going to jeopardize the program.''
Of course, teams always are looking for opponents they know they can beat, and Tech and UVa are no exceptions.
The Hokies, outside the Big East, have Miami (Ohio), Arkansas State and Alabama-Birmingham next season - along with Virginia. Tech and UVa also have games in future years with Central Florida, a I-A team for the first time this season.
Danny Monk, Tech's associate AD who handles football scheduling, said the Hokies and N.C. State have orally agreed to four games from 2001-07. Tech also has seven more games with East Carolina, a tough opponent.
Virginia could use some breathers among its three non-conference games annually. In addition to the Hokies and attractive trips to Hawaii in 1999 and 2003, Capone has scheduled Auburn, Boston College, Penn State and Syracuse twice each.
Sometimes, though, it's better to meet a MAC than a Mack truck.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 linesby CNB