Logan Thomas (3) is taken down by the Clemson defense.
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As if the BCS really needed another reason for criticism.
About an hour before Sunday night’s BCS Selection Show, reports of a Virginia Tech vs. Michigan Sugar Bowl started to trickle in online.
When it was confirmed, members of HokieNation exploded with excitement. However, after the realization settled in, the question had to be asked.
How the heck did they just pull that off?
One night after getting waxed by Clemson in the ACC Championship Game — Tech’s second loss to the Tigers this season — the team was getting its fourth BCS bowl bid in the past five seasons, and arguably, in a game most would agree is more prestigious than where they would’ve ended up had they won the ACC (the Orange Bowl).
And that folks is just the parity of college football.
In a year where the national championship game will feature a rematch for the first time in the BCS era (an in-conference rematch, mind you), conference expansion discussions dominated talking-head shows early in the season. And one week saw four of the nation’s top seven teams lose — it just seems fitting that it ends this way.
Does No. 11 Tech deserve to go to a BCS game? Maybe. The Hokies went 11-2 on the year, and their only losses were to a team that’s also going to be playing in a BCS bowl.
However most media members would have you believe that Tech beat nobody of national relevance, and that No. 7 Boise State or No. 8 Kansas State deserves a shot at the Sugar Bowl over the Hokies.
I understand that, and to be completely honest, I didn’t think Tech had any shot at an at-large bid after Saturday night’s game. But, to be fair, Boise State’s biggest (and only important) win came in week 1 against Georgia.
Yes, the Bulldogs finished 10-2, but that had a lot to do with quite possibly the luckiest SEC West schedule a team from the East could have had this season (they didn’t have to play LSU, Alabama or Arkansas).
They did crush then-No. 20 Auburn 45-7 on Nov. 12, but other than that, they don’t have any outstanding victories to their name.
Boise’s victory over them looked great at the time, and may still look good on paper. But the fact of the matter is, the Broncos win 11 games every season because they don’t play anybody. It’s “go undefeated and get an at-large bid” or bust for that team, and that’s how it should be for the time being.
Now let’s take a look at Kansas State. The Wildcats also finished 10-2, and their best win came in week 4, when they beat then-No. 15 Baylor 36-35 at home.
Other than that, you’re looking at single-digit victories over Eastern Kentucky, Miami, Missouri, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Texas and Iowa State.
Their two losses came at the hands of Oklahoma — who embarrassed them on their own field, 58-17 and Oklahoma State — where they lost a hard-fought shootout, 52-45.
I’ll say that Kansas State is definitely more deserving of an at-large bid than Boise State and probably more deserving of one than the Hokies.
Before doing any research, I was curious as to why no one was talking about No. 13 Michigan being undeserving of a BCS bid, simply because they’re ranked the lowest of the four teams involved.
But, after taking a closer look, one could argue that the 10-2 Wolverines are the most deserving.
A version of this article appeared in the Dec 6 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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I send you greetings from the far distant Hokie football past. I am asking that you research the 1983 season. For those of you who don't remember, this was the season VT went 9 and 2, including a 48 - 0 pounding of UVa in Scott Stadium to end the season AND WENT NOWHERE. NO BOWL, NO NOTHING. Back then you could coverup a story like this. But, long-time Hokie faithful always knew and still know that karma would come back one day. I would like to see a feature-length article about the 1983 football season and the missing bowl bid, but I know the CT won't speak up for VT. Don't worry CT: Even if you have forgotten 1983, I assure you that I have not! GO HOKIES GO!
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Agreed, and don't forget the legions of Hokie faithful that attended the Bowls in '81, '84, and '86 full well knowing that fan attendance factored in future Bowl consideration. This is the sweet payoff. Instead of whining "hey we were overlooked but we're better", other schools should take notice and fill whatever stadium bowl they are privileged to play in whenever they have the opportunity.
Bowl invitations are a business, and fan turnout wins. Hokie and Wolverine fans will descend on New Orleans in force with their dollars like no other, and the selection committee knows it. Personally, I'm looking forward to a great time in one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities on earth...oh yeah, and a great game. Go Hokies!
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The schedule that was played in 1983 was very weak. VMI, William and Mary, Richmond. Those 3 teams on the schedule is half the reason VT didn't get a bowl bid And one of the losses, opening day at home to a bad Wake Forest team. The only game played on TV was a no point effort vs WVU.... And there were 37 bowls to play in back then as there is now. VT didn't deserve a bowl bid, who are you kidding..
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I don't agree that we didn't deserve a shot. If Alabama had played LSU in the SEC championship game and lost again you sure as poop know they would have been in the Fiesta bowl playing Stanford.
So why is Tech any different?
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Because Clemson and LSU are not even close to being on the same level. Until we, as the ACC can consistently beat SEC teams (or any other conference) on a regular basis, the media will continue to fawn over the SEC, and they will be given better bowl games.
FSU has beaten UF two years in a row now. That's a good thing for the conference. Conversely, GT almost ALWAYS loses to UGA, and Clemson can't handle USC. We need to stop losing to other conferences as well. We can start with Michigan this year, and we can continue with our bowl game next year (hopefully), then Alabama the following year, and Ohio State the next two years after that.
Tech is different because we are in the ACC (which is perceived as a weaker conference - our own doing) and there was a strong argument for about 2 other teams to have gotten a Sugar Bowl invite. You can thank our fanbase for this one - we have established a national reputation for travelling well. I'm grateful for the bid, but we were fortunate. You don't get thumped in your conference title game and go to a BCS bowl very often.
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I think any reasonable observer has to admit that there were more deserving teams than VT for the Sugar Bowl, but we'll take . VT may have gotten a bad deal years ago and it has a great winning history. But bowl bids should be based on the performance in the current season, not a school's history or how many fans can be expected to follow the team.
Many VT fans hope that VT immunizes itself from the kind of criticism it now faces by scheduling a better out of conference schedule. If VT wants to be taken seriously when it ends a one or two loss season, it had better have some quality out of conference wins. To get quality out of conference wins you need to play big time programs instead of Appalachia St., Marshall, etc. This season VT's strength of schedule (63rd) was rather pathetic and not worthy of a team that wants to be considered a national power. That is a big reason for all the flak VT is taking. It will be better in the years to come.
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Virgnia Tech has the best record in the ACC conference in 2011. Therefore they are as worthy as any other team to the Sugar Bowl. As for the scheduling issues, just look at how long it has taken to play Ohio State. And as for 1983 and the 9-2 Hokies that received no bowl bid, that still has cumulative effects to this day. If you want change, change the BCS but don't berate Virginia Tech for having mastered the system.
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I don't know what football you've been watching but this is the first year VT hasn't played a top team in a while.
Boise
Bama
Nebraska x2 (Granted they were at a low point but still not Furman)
LSU
Tech sure schedules big teams but they just don't beat them. I think to take the next step Beamer needs to grow a pair and follow FSU into the SEC.
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And this is the year (and weak schedule) we are discussing and this year's weak schedule is a big reason for the controversy.
The out of conference schedule was:
App. State
Ark. State
ECU
Marshall
Make any excuse you want but a football powerhouse should not be surprised when it catches heat for this kind of out of conference schedule. The heat is justified.
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VT can never win big games against good opponents, unfortunately I see Michigan winning this one. Did you see our offensive game plan against Clemson? Same one no matter the opponent.
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