ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 4, 1996 TAG: 9612040035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: TECH NOTES
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
A source familiar with the bowl-selection process said Tuesday that Virginia Tech is almost certain to play Florida in the Orange Bowl, regardless of the outcome of the Southeastern Conference title game Saturday night between the Gators and Alabama.
The only development that would prevent a Tech-Florida meeting in Miami would be a Texas victory over heavily favored Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game. In that case, the Sugar Bowl, with the first and second choices of Bowl Alliance teams, likely would take Florida State and Florida.
Even if Alabama upsets Florida, the Orange Bowl is likely to use its fourth choice of alliance teams on the Gators, as long as Nebraska beats Texas. Florida has not played in the Orange Bowl since the 1966 season.
``I felt that we would play Florida if Florida beat Alabama in the SEC title game,'' said Dave Braine, Tech's athletic director. ``But, after talking with people around the country, I'm not sure that will be a factor.''
Earlier, Braine would not rule out the possibility the Fiesta Bowl might pick Tech. However, it appears likely the Fiesta will use its third selection on Penn State and seek one of two Western teams, Brigham Young or Colorado, as an opponent.
If Alabama beats Florida, the Crimson Tide probably would play Penn State in Tempe, Ariz.
*Braine said he has been told by Orange Bowl officials that the Hokies will be able to buy at least 15,000 tickets. Braine said he thinks Tech will take 16,000 to 17,000 fans, with hopes the figure could top 18,000.
TIDE NOT IN: There were media reports in Alabama that Beamer would be interviewed Tuesday or today for the Crimson Tide vacancy. However, the only trip Beamer has planned is to Houston today for the Lombardi Award announcement.
Braine said he has not spoken to Alabama athletic director Bob Bockrath since Gene Stallings resigned as the Crimson Tide's coach Nov.23, but Bockrath has left four messages for Braine and Braine has called Bockrath five times.
``We missed each other every time,'' Braine said Tuesday. ``I did tell Frank he had permission to talk with them. But, if he were interviewing for a job, I think I would know about it. To the best of my knowledge, he isn't.''
The scuttlebutt in the coaching fraternity is that Alabama will promote defensive coordinator Mike Dubose to succeed Stallings.
COMMITMENT NEAR: Pete Bendorf, the coach at Oakton High School in Vienna, said Tech could receive an oral commitment as early as today from 6-foot, 225-pound Oakton linebacker Brian Welch.
Welch, who also received scholarship offers from James Madison and Delaware, was named player of the year in the Concorde District after a senior year in which he had 115 tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and blocked two kicks.
Welch, a first-team All-Northern Region selection, has been timed in 4.7 seconds for the 40-yard dash. Although some recruiters were put off by his lack of height, Welch was a virtual tackle machine, with 346 in his career. He is expected to visit Tech during the weekend of Dec.13-14.
LENGTH: Medium: 60 linesby CNB