The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, October 29, 1994             TAG: 9410290305
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: MIAMI                              LENGTH: Medium:   93 lines

BIGGEST GAME IN HOKIE HISTORY VA. TECH COULD JUMP INTO TOP 10 WITH WIN AT MIAMI

Not too long ago, the Miami-Virginia Tech game was a mere blip on the college football landscape, one of those virtually automatic victories for the awe-inspiring Hurricanes.

Things get a little more juicy today at the Orange Bowl (3:30 p.m., WVEC). Only Colorado-Nebraska pits two higher ranked teams squaring off today, and much is at stake for the Hokies (7-1, 4-1 Big East) and Hurricanes (5-1, 2-0).

``I think the people on this team realize this is one of, if not the biggest game in Virginia Tech football history,'' Tech wide receiver Antonio Freeman said.

Certainly if the Hokies win, you could make a case for that. Consider:

A victory would put Tech in the Big East title hunt and in position for a probable major New Year's Day bowl, which would be the Hokies' first-ever trip to a top-shelf bowl.

Tech is ranked 13th in The Associated Press poll, 10th according to USA Today-CNN - the highest it's ever been in either the media or coaches' poll. A victory likely would vault Tech into single digits in both polls for the first time.

The Hokies would be the second-biggest story of the day in college football - following Colorado-Nebraska - and instantly enhance their national reputation with a victory.

All of which combined makes it the biggest game in Tech football history.

But only if the Hokies win.

If Miami - ranked No. 6 by the AP, No. 4 by USA Today-CNN - beats Tech, it's just another result in Sunday's paper in most parts of the country. That's what oddsmakers expect, with the Hurricanes a 14-point favorite.

``If you could beat them, you've done something,'' Beamer said. ``It's special.''

This team may be the most special in Beamer's eight seasons in Blacksburg. Still, Beamer said Tech is at least a couple stellar recruiting classes away from reaching Miami's level.

``We're trying to get where Miami is,'' Beamer said. ``I think this is our best football team and we're making progress, but I'm not sure how far up that ladder we are to be quite honest with you.''

At Miami, good seasons end with the Hurricanes at the top of college football's ladder as national champs. Bad seasons are anything but the top rung.

This season looked like it might be a bad one when the 'Canes lost at home to Washington a month ago. The Huskies snapped Miami's NCAA record 58-game home winning streak and dumped Miami to 13th in the AP poll.

But the potential ill wind blowing around the Hurricanes' program shifted when they manhandled Florida State. Miami could still factor into the national title picture if it keeps winning.

``The whole season will be erased just like that if we lose this game on Saturday,'' Miami junior defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. ``Everybody knows what's at stake.''

And the Hokies know how well they neutralize Sapp could have a big stake in their chances. Sapp is the headliner of a Hurricane defense that is intimidating, quick and aggressive. Miami's defense is clearly the best in the Big East and one of the best in the nation, while Tech's isn't too far behind on either front.

``Our offense struggles a lot and their offense has struggled some, too,'' Miami safety C.J. Richardson said. ``It's going to be a battle of great defenses.''

Beamer called Miami the strongest defense he's ever seen up the pipe - which constitutes Sapp and fellow tackle Pat Riley, middle linebacker Ray Lewis (the leading tackler in the Big East with 14.2 per game) and safeties Richardson and Malcolm Pearson.

The line is the hot spot for the Hokies, however. For Tech to move the ball and keep its defense off the field, the line must play well. A few weeks ago Beamer described his offensive line as short on mental and physical toughness. He wasn't particularly glowing about them this week.

``We've made progress,'' Beamer said. ``We're young in some positions and we've had a couple of injuries in there. It's been slow. This will be a test.''

Miami tests teams in many ways, not the least of which is with intimidation and trash talking.

``We're going to have to control ourselves and be humble,'' Freeman said. ``You can't get into a battle of egos with Miami. You have to go out and play hard-nosed football.''

Tech quarterback Maurice DeShazo concurred, but said there are times when Miami baits opponents into their game.

``They can make a 5-yard catch and get up and take their helmets off,'' DeShazo said. ``And even though coach tells us not to talk, when a guy puts his private parts up in your face after he hits you, all respect is aside. Coach doesn't know how bad that feels when it's on ABC, in front of everybody. That's testing your manhood.''

In more ways than one, today is Tech's big test. by CNB