Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
But if the Hokies want the big banana - an Orange Bowl or Sugar Bowl spot, courtesy of the Bowl Alliance - they're going to require some help.
If Tech finishes in a tie for the league title with either this week's opponent, Syracuse, or Miami, the overwhelming consensus is that the Sugar or Orange would pick the Orangemen or Hurricanes over the Hokies.
Why? It's called television market size. Both Miami and Syracuse cater to larger TV audiences than Tech does. Although the Syracuse and Roanoke-Lynchburg markets are similar in size, the Orangemen have a solid influence in New York City.
Dave Braine, Tech's athletic director, acknowledged the major bowls - Sugar and Orange, i.e. - are more concerned about TV audience potential.
``Certain [lesser] bowls will think ticket sales are more important than TV,'' Braine said. ``The one plus we have going for us is we can sell tickets. We travel well.''
If Tech ends up tied with Miami, the Hokies likely will have no chance at getting the Big East's Bowl Alliance berth. The Orange, naturally, is going to take the hometown team. And the Sugar, well, how could it turn down the Miami TV market?
Tech coach Frank Beamer said the Hokies shouldn't ``have to take a back seat to anyone we'd be tied with.''
``Maybe some have a larger TV market, but I think we'd be attractive , too,'' Beamer said.
All this chaos could have been avoided if the Big East had instituted a tie-breaker to settle the league title.
If Tech finishes 6-1 in the league, it will have beaten both Miami and Syracuse head-to-head. But if Tech ends up in a tie with either - Syracuse and Miami play on Nov.25 in Miami - the Hokies figure to be dealt the short straw and be put up for auction to either the Gator or Carquest bowls.
Therefore, as Braine said, it would serve Tech greatly to win the Big East outright. Then the Bowl Alliance has no choice but to take the Hokies
For that to happen, Tech, of course, has to win its final two league games. Then it needs for either Syracuse or Miami to lose one more conference game, or else tie in their Nov.25 meeting.
Braine said the Big East will discuss the need for a tie-breaker in meetings on Nov.18-19.
``What is the fairest? I'd say head-to-head competition,'' Braine said. ``I'm positive we'll get something done.''
SYRACUSE INVASION: The Hokies (6-2 overall, 4-1 Big East) need not worry about the league title unless they can handle Syracuse (6-1, 3-0).
The 20th-ranked Orangemen will be attempting to end a Tech winning streak for the second straight season. Tech had won seven straight games bridging the 1993 and '94 seasons before losing 28-20 at the Carrier Dome last year.
Despite the fact that Syracuse is ranked 20th in the Associated Press' poll and 15th in the coaches' poll, Tech has been installed as an early 6-point favorite.
Being tabbed the underdog by Las Vegas oddsmakers doesn't bother Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni, who figures to use the betting line as incentive for his club.
``I can't tell you I'm upset with that,'' he said.
Beamer scoffed at Tech's role as favorite, saying ``that's why we play the game on Saturday.''
After failing to beat the spread in their opening two losses, the Hokies have covered as favorites five times in their six-game winning streak. There was no line posted on Tech's game with Akron.
LET IT RAIN: After playing two of their best games in the rain the past two weeks, the Hokies won't mind it if they see more precipitation Saturday.
``I think we're more excited in the rain,'' defensive end Cornell Brown said. ``That's our kind of weather. All season we've been playing in the rain and been getting it done.''
Tech is 3-1 in games played in the rain this season, slipping only against Cincinnati.
``John Ballein [Tech's recruiting coordinator] said if it doesn't rain this Saturday he's going to get a big hose and water everybody down in the tunnel before they go on the field,'' Beamer said with a laugh.
BURIAL RIGHTS: Brown said the Hokies got a lot of satisfaction from last Saturday's 27-0 win at West Virginia, which virtually extinguished WVU's bowl hopes.
The Mountaineers (3-5) have to sweep their last three games, including a Nov.18 date at Miami, to qualify for a bowl.
``It's definitely gratifying to finish 'em off,'' Brown said. ``Hopefully, they will help us down the line by beating somebody [Miami].''
TECH TIDBITS: Hokies officials are expecting a near-capacity crowd for Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game, which will be regionally televised by ABC (WSET, Channel 13). An exact estimate can't be produced until student ticket pick-up starts Thursday. ... Scouts from the Sugar, Gator and Carquest bowls have requested credentials for the game. ... Tech's 15-yard rushing yield against WVU vaulted the Hokies to No.1 in the nation in rushing defense (76.9 yards per game). Tech is third in scoring defense (12.9 points per game). ... At the other end of the spectrum, Tech is last among the 108 Division I-A clubs in kickoff return average (14.2 yards per return). ... Tech is bidding for its first seven-game winning streak since 1967. Syracuse has won five straight.
by CNB