THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090515
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Virginia may have assured itself of a bowl bid with its victory over Florida State, but with two games remaining it is still anyone's guess where the Cavaliers will be playing.
It could be a big bowl, such as the Orange or Sugar, or it could be considerably less, such as the Carquest, where only 25,000 fans watched the Cavaliers lose to Boston College two years ago.
The Cavaliers would wind up in the Orange or Sugar if they win the ACC title outright.
For that to happen, they have to defeat Maryland on Saturday while Florida State loses one of its last two league games against North Carolina and Maryland.
If Virginia and Florida State share the title, the Seminoles almost certainly will be invited to one of the Alliance bowls: the Fiesta, Orange, or Sugar.
In that case, most people believe the Cavaliers would go to the Gator Bowl or Peach Bowl.
The Gator has the second choice of an ACC team, and sources indicate it would select Virginia if the Cavaliers - now ranked 14th in the Associated Press poll - beat Maryland and Virginia Tech in their final two games and rank in the top 10.
They would be matched against an opponent from the Big East, either Syracuse or Miami since bowl officials have indicated they are not interested in a Virginia-Virginia Tech rematch.
However, if Virginia loses one of its final two games, the Gator probably would take Clemson, which sells a lot of tickets, provided the Tigers win their final two games against Duke and South Carolina. Clemson must win one of its two remaining games to qualify for a bowl bid.
If Clemson goes to the Gator, the Peach Bowl probably would match Virginia against a No. 4 selection from the Southeastern Conference.
Virginia athletic director Terry Holland indicated earlier this week he would not be disappointed with the Gator or Peach, provided the Cavaliers do not represent the ACC in an Alliance bowl.
Both bowls pay about the same money, but the Gator normally is ranked slightly higher because its game is televised by a major network, NBC. The Peach is televised by ESPN, and is attractive because it is played in the Georgia Dome.
Three ACC teams could be competing for the Carquest, which gets the fourth pick of league teams.
Maryland already has the required six Division I-A victories. North Carolina needs to win two of its final three games (against N.C. State, Duke and Florida State) to qualify, and Georgia Tech must win its last two games (against N.C. State and Georgia) to qualify.
League officials say it is possible one or two other bowl spots, such as the Independence or Liberty, could open up for ACC teams if there are enough eligible teams. ILLUSTRATION: FILE PHOTO
Virginia head coach George Welsh.
THE BOWLS
Graphic
[For a copy of the bowls and schedules, see microfilm for this
date.]
by CNB