Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511280021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When 25th-ranked Miami stormed back from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat No.22 Syracuse 35-24, the Hokies' hopes of being the Big East Conference's Bowl Alliance representative were dealt a severe blow.
Tech athletic director Dave Braine confessed late Saturday night that Miami's victory was no favor to the Hokies.
``No doubt,'' said Braine, ``it hurts us. Our chances are slim now.
``Now, I think we're down to two chances. One is that the probation will come down early [from the NCAA] and Miami will opt to take it now [and free Tech to be picked by the Alliance]. The second is that the Sugar Bowl will have a heart and realize we're the Big East champs because we beat Miami.''
Miami (8-3), which with the victory finished in a tie with 13th-ranked Tech (9-2) at 6-1 for the Big East title, now figures to be in the driver's seat for the Alliance bid.
Since the Big East has no system to settle a tie, the selecting bowls - the Sugar and Orange, in this case - can choose which co-champion they want. Unless the Sugar takes Tech - over likely bet Florida State - the Orange almost assuredly will take the hometown Hurricanes with pick No.5 and match them against Notre Dame.
Sugar Bowl officials have made it known they like Tech's fan following. The Hokies sold more than 17,000 tickets for last year's Gator Bowl.
The Bowl Alliance officially will announce its participants next Sunday.
If Tech doesn't get selected by the Sugar, it will have to settle for a second straight trip to the Gator Bowl. The Hokies would face Clemson (8-3) in the Jan.1 game in Jacksonville, Fla.
The alliance's decision will be a $1.5 million call for Tech. The Hokies would receive $3.92 million for a Sugar or Orange bid, compared to $2.42 million for the Gator.
A Miami loss to Syracuse would virtually have sealed an Alliance berth for Tech. There appeared to be no question that the Alliance would have taken the Hokies in a head-to-head choice with the Orangemen, who were pounded 31-7 by Tech on Nov.4 in Blacksburg.
Tech coach Frank Beamer, speaking during the Syracuse-Miami telecast on ESPN, questioned the bowls' reasoning for not wanting the Hokies, who closed the regular season with a school-record nine straight victories.
``If we are [out of the Alliance],'' said Beamer, ``they're going to miss an exciting team and a very enthusiastic following. The thing we've got going ... ever how many tickets they send us, they're going to need a few more.
``This is probably what gets the bowls in a little bit of trouble because we're not talking about who is the best team here. I don't think there's anyone ... there's no way you can put Miami or Syracuse ahead of us in any form right now. The polls ... we beat 'em ... I think any way you'd go about it we'd come out on top.
``So we're not really talking about the best team. Other things are getting into it. Again, the bowls have got to do what's right for them. I understand that.''
Braine said he will continue to lobby with Sugar and Orange officials this week.
``I'm not going to give up,'' he said. ``I'm going to do everything I can to get us in. Hey, nothing comes easy for us.''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB