ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300116
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: SYRACUSE, N. Y.
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
Even this far north in the football world, the leaves have yet to change color.
However, the seasonal stature of Virginia's two major-college programs could turn today, depending on whether Virginia Tech or UVa fall.
The national implications of games at the Carrier Dome and Scott Stadium are reflected in their prominence on the tube today and tonight, respectively.
Tech is on CBS (WDBJ Channel 7) at Syracuse at 3:30 p.m., with Virginia kicking off against 13th-ranked Texas on ESPN (cable) four hours later. Each of the state rivals is 3-0, but poll respect has yet to be bestowed upon the Hokies and 'Hoos, who stand together - 18th and 19th - with this week's Associated Press voters.
You can look as far south as possible in the ACC and Big East to see what UVa and Tech victories might mean today. Each would have a certifiably legitimate shot of going to Florida for huge conference dates down the road as unbeaten teams.
On the Carrier carpet in its last three visits, Tech has been little more than crumbs against the Orange vacuum. Syracuse, however, is one of those teams that's perennially difficult to figure.
These Orangemen began the season in the top 10, but since have begun it 0-2. Syracuse was supposed to be playing Miami for the Big East title two days after Thanksgiving. If the Orangemen lose today, their season already will be considered a turkey in these parts.
It's only the conference opener for the hosts. A victory would make Tech, already 3-0 in the Big East and ridiculous as this sounds, one conference victory from clinching one of the wet-cardboard bottom league's four bowl spots.
Because bowl status is ranked through conferences, Tech's trip is more crucial in that regard than the Cavaliers' date with Texas, which lost on a last-play field goal to Notre Dame last week.
However, UVa's prospects as a national player would be more enhanced by a victory today than should the Hokies win indoors, simply because of the stature of Texas' program and its new conference, the Big 12 - although the league is a woeful 2-7 against outside foes with winning records.
A victory tonight would be the difference of probably as much as eight or nine spots in the poll for Virginia.
Although the Cavaliers must visit improved Georgia Tech a week from today, it's reasonable to consider the Cavs could be 6-0 visiting Florida State for what the Seminoles see as a revenge date for their lone ACC loss in history last year.
Tech's posture with a victory today could grow huge. That's because the trip to Syracuse leaves only one more road date on the schedule - at Miami on Nov. 16, a meeting of the two schools that currently have the nation's longest winning streaks (Tech 13, Miami 10).
The Hokies basically have a bye in October, with two open dates and Temple and atrocious Pitt visiting Lane Stadium. Southwestern Louisiana and East Carolina then trek to Blacksburg.
Tech could be 8-0 going to Miami, but that's a possibility that has to begin with success today against a team that already is an uncommon 0-2 indoors this season and just 2-6 against ranked teams in the last two years.
Whatever happens, it figures to be one of the most compelling days of major college football in state history.
How often to Tech and UVa have their games mentioned in almost the same neighborhood as Ohio State-Notre Dame?
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB