THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300519
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
The University of Miami is thinking about pulling its team from bowl consideration, a move that would clear the way for co-champion Virginia Tech to represent the Big East in the Bowl Alliance's Orange or Sugar bowls.
The Boston Globe on Wednesday quoted Miami athletic director Paul Dee as saying the school was ``considering'' self-imposed bowl sanctions. Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese said Wednesday he does not believe Miami has reached a decision.
``They're going to wait until Friday to see if they get a penalty from the NCAA,'' Tranghese said. ``The question is what if they don't hear from the NCAA? They have to make that decision then, and I don't think they've made it yet. I don't think any of us will know anything until Friday.''
Miami faces NCAA sanctions stemming from a four-year investigation into financial-aid fraud, drug-testing improprieties and a play-for-pay scheme that produced charges of 10 rules violations. If the Hurricanes don't receive NCAA penalties by Friday, they may self-impose one. Bowl Alliance bids go out Sunday, and if co-champion Miami is still available, it would be obligated to accept one.
The 8-3 Hurricanes have only a handful of seniors this year, and are expected to be much better next season. A self-imposed penalty could cause the NCAA to go lighter on Miami once it hands down penalties, possibly averting a postseason ban next year.
While these decisions are debated, Virginia Tech anxiously awaits, hoping to get a crack at its most prestigious - and richest - bowl to date.
Based on the league's revenue-sharing plan, the school that goes to the Orange or Sugar bowls will receive $3.5 million compared to $1.5 million for the school that goes to the Gator Bowl. In addition, each of the league's eight schools get a $486,000 share of bowl revenue, Tech athletic director Dave Braine said.
``We've heard the rumors,'' Braine said. ``I had an idea something like this might come down. We're playing a waiting game.''
Braine said he first heard of the possibility Miami would pull itself from the postseason at the Big East athletic directors' meeting last week in Newark, N.J.
``It was discussed, but not at length,'' Braine said. ``In talking with the commissioner earlier this week, there was still a possibility they were thinking about it, but nobody really knew.
``I'm pretty sure I'm aware of what the facts are. But a few years ago I thought we'd be full members of the Big East, and I learned a lesson from that.''
The Hokies (9-2) have a better overall record than Miami, and are ranked No. 13 by The Associated Press while the Hurricanes are 22nd. Tech also beat Miami. But the league has no tiebreaker system, so Bowl Alliance members can pick whichever co-champion they desire.
That probably will change next year. Tranghese said a tiebreaker system was discussed last week, and undoubtedly will be ratified at a meeting in February. The tiebreaker scenarios discussed were overall record, national ranking and head-to-head play.
``If you take this year's set of circumstances and apply it to the tiebreaker, Virginia Tech would qualify for the Bowl Alliance,'' Tranghese said.
That doesn't do Tech any good this year.
Currently in the potential Alliance pool are Big Eight champion Nebraska, ACC co-champion Florida State, Notre Dame, Miami or Tech and the champions from the Southwest (Saturday's Texas-Texas A&M winner) and Southeastern (Saturday's Florida-Arkansas winner).
The way the Alliance works is the Fiesta chooses the first two teams, likely to be No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 2 Florida - the only thing that could prevent that is an Arkansas win Saturday. Then the Orange Bowl picks third and fifth, and the Sugar Bowl takes a fourth and sixth team.
Speculation has been rampant about possible scenarios - especially that the Orange wants a Notre Dame-Miami matchup - but neither bowl has indicated which way it is leaning. The announcements will be made at 5:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
``I think both of them have to sit there and say `Is Miami going to be available, and who wins the SEC championship game?' '' Tranghese said. MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report.The Associated Press
contributed to this report. by CNB