It’s official: Virginia Tech to play Michigan in Sugar Bowl
In a surprising twist, Virginia Tech will be going to a Bowl Championship Series game after all.
The Hokies were chosen as a BCS at-large team to play in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan on Jan. 3 at the Superdome in New Orleans.
With Clemson earning the ACC’s automatic berth to the Orange Bowl, it’s the first time in the BCS’s 14-year history that the league has garnered two bids to the country’s premier bowl games.
Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan said Virginia Tech’s history with the game — this is its fourth trip to New Orleans, all since 1995 — and its fan base’s reputation for traveling were “extremely important” in the selection process.
It’s the Hokies’ sixth trip to a BCS bowl game and their fourth in the last five years, the other three being appearances in the Orange Bowl.
“I think Virginia Tech over the years has proven the caliber of football team that they are,” he said.
Critics of the Hokies’ selection for one of this year’s top bowl games cite Tech’s soft schedule, which includes no wins against teams currently in the top 25, but head coach Frank Beamer defended his team.
“I think the people we’ve been able to beat, they didn’t seem weak to me,” he said. “We’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
The pick, for the most part, was a shocker. All hope of a BCS spot seemed to go out the window for Virginia Tech after a lopsided 38-10 loss to Clemson on Saturday night in the league title game.
On the way back from Charlotte, Beamer was filling out his coaches’ ballot when the possibility of an at-large bid came up in discussion. He spoke Sunday morning with athletic director Jim Weaver, who told him it was a possibility, then got the news in the afternoon.
“Again, I think if you look at what our university brings and what the Virginia Tech football program brings, and not only this year, but over the last several years, the name that is built up, I think there are a lot of reasons why you’d like Virginia Tech in your bowl game,” Beamer said.
Several factors went the Hokies’ way. For starters, their second loss to Clemson by more than 20 points didn’t drop them out of at-large contention.
The Hokies fell from third to 11th in the coaches’ poll and fourth to 11th in the Harris poll, which make up two-thirds of the BCS. They were 13th in the computer rankings, which makes up the other third of the formula, remaining at No. 11 overall in the BCS rankings.
To be considered for an at-large berth, a team needs to be in the top 14.
The Hokies were aided by a slim field of at-large contenders, too.
No. 6 Arkansas and No. 9 South Carolina could not be selected because of a rule that doesn’t allow more than two teams from the same conference to play in BCS bowls. No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama, who will meet in the national championship game, were the SEC’s two representatives.
Had Mountain West Conference winner TCU gotten into the top 16 this year, it would have earned an automatic bid under BCS rules. But the Horned Frogs finished 18th.
The other at-large contenders after No. 4 Stanford, a lock for inclusion, and No. 13 Michigan, whose fan base and BCS bowl drought made it an attractive at-large pick, were No. 7 Boise State, No. 8 Kansas State, No. 12 Baylor and No. 14 Oklahoma.
None of those schools have as good of a history in New Orleans as the Hokies.
In 1995, quarterback Jim Druckenmiller led the Hokies to a 28-10 win against Texas.
In 2000, a Michael Vick-led No. 2 Virginia Tech squad lost to No. 1 Florida State in the BCS national championship game.46-29.
In 2005, a fourth-quarter rally by the No. 9 Hokies came up just short in a 16-13 loss to No. 3 Auburn, which finished the season unbeaten but was passed over for the national title game for USC and Oklahoma.
Virginia Tech has never played Michigan and hasn’t played a team from the Big Ten since a 45-20 victory against Indiana in the 1993 Independence Bowl.
The Wolverines rose back to prominence in coach Brady Hoke’s first season, going 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the Big Ten, good enough for a second-place finish in the Legends Division.
It’s Michigan’s first appearance in a BCS game since the 2007 Rose Bowl, a 32-18 loss to USC.
Plenty more quotes from Beamer’s teleconference. It’s late, so I’ll just post them verbatim on here:
(Think fans will enjoy a change of scenery from Miami?)
“Yeah, I don’t think there was any question about it. I think the fact that you’re playing a program such as Michigan, a program that is so well-respected and looked at in a favorable way, I think that … and then coming to New Orleans, and they’ve had experiences there before and it’s just a great city for a bowl game. I don’t think there’s any question and I think they’ll enjoy the opportunity.”
(Talk about Virginia Tech’s history with the Sugar Bowl, particularly the donation it made after the shooting)
“The people there at the Sugar Bowl, we’ve had quite a bit of experiences with them and they’re just first class. They do things right. It’s always been a great experience to cover that bowl and spend a week in the city there. Just first class all the way.”
(You don’t cross paths much with Michigan. What do you know about that program?)
“No, I don’t know him. I sure know what he’s done this year and through the years. I know his name for the tremendous job he’s done in coaching. I don’t know a whole lot about Michigan. I didn’t until recently. I didn’t really think that us and Michigan would be meeting in a bowl game. But we’re going to pay attention to them now and try to get to work on them and represent the ACC in the best way possible.”
(You were picked over Kansas State and Boise State, who were higher in the rankings. Your response?)
“Well, I think Virginia Tech over the years has built a name for itself, and we have a chance to win 12 games this year, and that’s never been done at Virginia Tech. And in reality, we lost to one team this year, we lost to them twice. We’ve been on national TV several times here in recent weeks and we had won seven straight until last night, and we got the player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and we’ve been to three BCS bowls over the last three years. … I think there are a lot of reasons why Virginia Tech would be an attractive team to a BCS bowl. Over the years, I think the Virginia Tech name has gotten to be a very good name.”
(Talk about Michigan QB Denard Robinson)
“I think you better have good players on the outside who are fast. It looks like to me. From what I’ve seen, that guy can. go. I think us having that type of guy probably gives us some experience, but it all comes back to the players and being able to tackle the guy when you get them there.”
(Take pride in being first at-large pick from the ACC?)
“Yeah, I do. And again, we want to represent the ACC in the best way possible. We’re proud of where we are and proud to rep the ACC. But to get that second team, I think it speaks well of our conference and we’re proud of the team to do it.”
December 4, 2011 - 7:48 PM
hope this is true, would be great for the ACC and would help UVA get to a bowl game that someone would care about. congrats to Tech and their fans if it’s true!
What a joke.
Wow, big surprise but a great opportunity for VT. No reason why they shouldn’t get up for this match-up.
VT is ranked higher than Clemson and the Tigers beat the stuffings out of them twice? Money talks. VT and Michigan might be a good game, you never know. Beamer and his crew are going to have to go somewhere and get some smarts so they will know how to prepare Tech for the Wolverines.
Respect it what this is…..They finally realize this is a Legit team!!!! Someone gets it!!!!!! We will pound Michigan!!!!!
After his little rant on ESPN, I just don’t think Kirk Herbstreit will be getting any Christmas cards from any people in the chamber of commerce in bowl cities, or from their office of tourism.
What planet has he been living on? Bowl games, outside of 1 vs 2, are all about people coming in to your town. It’s a good thing he’s got his looks going for him, but he’s a friggin’ financial moron.
It’s not that Tech is legit, it’s all about how the fans travel. This proves that the BCS is only about money. No way Tech deserves this bowl. And no way Tech should be ranked higher than Clemson. Let’s see how the coaches go about building up that “chip on the shoulder” for this game. That’s the only way they know how to get motivated.
Rick, Kirk was talking specifically about Tech. Even he is incredulous that they can be given the Sugar Bowl with their cupcake non-conference schedule. Looks like Tech has lost a fan.
Give it to the Virginia Tech fans…they do travel well.
Wow, a shot at redemption after that putrid performance last night. Maybe Beams and his staff will “prepare” a little better for this one. There is actually a thing most high quality coaching staff’s use called a “gameplan”, try to actually implement a strategy that doesn’t suck for this one.
Dear Mr Herbstreit:
Will you kindly do many of us (not just Hokie Fans but College Football Fans everywhere including UVA) a favor for once & shut the h*ll up. The BCS did its job in picking the right teams for the BCS Championship Game. All the other BCS Games at this point is moot. In fact, I may even agree with you on one of your points in that yes, there should have been higher ranked teams playing in the Sugar Bowl say Boise St, Arkansas, South Carolina, Houston, Baylor and Kansas St. Yes, these teams earned a shot as well for a BCS bid. But out of this list, besides Arkansas and SC, which of these teams will bring fans? If you recall, When Boise St played VT, The Broncos only brought 17000 fans. Granted that is a long haul to DC but can they do the same in Nawlins?
Yes, Herbie…it’s all about the $$$ and VT vs Michigan will show the Sugar Bowl, BCS and New Orleans the money.
All night last night in the ACC Game you cried about this and that like you do every week. You have shown no respect to the Hokie Nation. Time for ESPN to get rid of your punk Buckeye A**.
Lou Holtz had it right. When it comes down to $$, you have to pick the best teams that will fill the seats. Sugar Bowl did the right thing.
Next time Mr. Herbstreit, why don’t you get off the BCS bandwagon and join the coalition to have Division 1 NCAA Football turn into a Championship system like the FCS, Division 2 and 3. For a minute, I thought you were going to say you wanted VT to play in the Alonzo Amos Stagg Bowl vs. Salem High School….moron.
back to the Weather Blog where life is much less stressful….giggity
It’s about time Tech is given some respect for its winning consistency and loyal fan base!! As my friend said, remember in 2000 when we went 11-1 with Mike Vick and only lost to #1 Miami. We were regulated to the Gator Bowl that year and the Sugar took a 9 win Notre Dame team over us. So, it’s about damn time we get a little pay back.
Now the Hokies gotta dig down deep, cause beating a storied program like Michigan won’t be easy I don’t care how many years they been down.
Yippee love New Orleans!
Herbie lost all credibility when he defended Ohio State’s Coach Tressel saying “He did it for the kids.” Lied for a year about a known violation so “the kids” could play in a bowl game, and oh, BTW, he could WIN a bowl game. What kind of example is that for the kids? Lie until you get caught.
Yo Victor,
Michigan ain’t down no more — they’re back up! Brady brought ‘em back. Hokies – Hoke. Must be Karma…
Contrary to the naysayers, it should be a great entertaining game between two solid traditional programs and coaches. Both schools should be counting their blessings, and dollars, for being lucky enough to get into a BCS bowl.
Just wish it were January 2nd. But another day in the Big Easy shouldn’t be too hard to take for the folks lucky enough to be down there.
Go Blue!
It doesn’t get any better than this. Last night I got to see Tech get pounded into the turf for the 3rd time since the Orange Bowl. On January 3rd we will see them get walloped again on National TV. You Hokie fans are correct, they do travel well but they are the most overated team in college football. I live for these games to see the system build them up as they play sorry teams and then I get to see them whacked by good teams. I am so glad they didn’t end up playing Auburn because once again they would have escaped like they did playing UT a couple of years ago. They are a number 25 team at best but they do travel well and money talks. I love it, can’t wait to see them smooshed again in a big game. I tape all of these games and play them over and over; I am enjoying my 4th replay of the 2nd half of last night’s game. The Hokies were worse than horrible.
Ole’ Kirk had it right on the money, he knew the Hokies were big time overated and had the guts to say so. Most of us already knew it. I don’t care which bowl game they go to, they will get obliterated by any good team. All Michigan has to do is apply some pressure on Logan Thomas and the game will be over.
Tech’s choice for the Sugar is a huge shout out to the program’s consistency and the loyal fan base….finally! Regarding the polls, one must remember that VT only lost to one program this year….we just lost twice to them. That happens, certain programs don’t match up well to VT’s. Need I remind everyone of all the losses to mediocre Pitt teams? Case in point, Clemson’s defense has been mediocre all year, except for their two games against VT. There’s something going on there besides raw athletic ability and game plan. As for the poll rankings, regardless of Clemson’s wins, they managed to lose two games to less than stellar ACC teams. Also, a WIN still counts more than LOSSES and an 11-2 record is still something to be proud of at the end of the day.
Finally, of course the Bowl season is about money. The folks on here citing their disappointment with this apparent fact need to wake up. It’s always been about that and now there’s more money and more bowls.
Wow, it is amazing how quickly fans of one team can overlook corruption in college sports when their team benefits. This is exactly why college football is such a disgrace… People keep watching and supporting it even when it’s so blatantly unfair and corrupt not to mention uses kids and protects criminals. Enjoy the game, Hokies fan. What a joke.
Shocked, Shocked I say! I just don’t know which shocks me more – That there is gambling going on in the back of the nightclub, that Herbstreit criticized an ACC team while ignoring a Big 10/12 ten with a similar resume, or that Hokie fans lash out at a sports media person who disses the Hokies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1DEG6BWgp0
So, on a smaller scale, this is what Alabama feels. We made it into a great bowl, despite not winning the conference title. For all the Hokie fans ever considering attending a bowl, the Sugar Bowl is the ultimate destination. You will love The Big Easy, where you can be as mild or wild as you desire. Lots to do during the day, and during the evening. One thing is certain, you MUST go for more than just the game. The Sugar Bowl is what bowl games are all about – having a winter mini-vacation, discovering a fun destination, and experiencing a good ballgame…
What is Tech’s bowl record in the Beamer era?>
This is not about respect, its all about $$$$money$$$$. Respect is winning your conference game. Clemson has the respect, Tech got an early Christmas gift.The BCS and the Sugar Bowl people are counting on Tech/Michigan to load the buses up and bring all the Hokies/Wolverine fans they can. There are hotel rooms to fill, bars waiting to serve, and seats awaiting. If the fans don’t come(both teams) like they expect, then the idea of allowing this to happen again will not happen. This is more of an experiment than anything else. The pressure is on,but can both schools bring it.
The selection of a team for a bowl based more on their ability to bring fans and name recognition is nothing new. Those who pretend this is the first year this has occurred are either extremely naive, willfully ignorant of college athletics in general, or just disturbed to see VaTech finally benefit from it.
This occurs every single bowl season for a number of teams. It has been occurring ever since bowls began. Anyone who pretends otherwise, well, see my above comment.
Beamers bowl record is 9-15. I love what I call “Gypsy” fans. They flit from good team to good team as their own because their school team sucks and they can’t stand to see a rival succeed. It is what it is so get use to it. If you can’t stand the disappointment with the success, keep flitting around. ACC championship game put over 73,000 fans in the seats. When it was held in Fla., if a Fla team wasn’t involved, 20,000 max.. Support sells and sponsers know it.
Bruce, What I can’t overlook is the garbage you submitted to this blog.
proof reader, Of course it’s about the money. That’s all college football is about. The conference realignments we’ve seen in the last year weren’t about geography or our school colors go better with that conference. It’s about the Benjamins.
I can understand some of you folks being upset that VT is going to the Sugar Bowl. Hey, I was surprised as well. But stop blaming Va. Tech. We didn’t force our way in, we were invited. Yes, Hokie fans travel well and we are not ashamed of it. We support our team. This year it’s a benefit to UVa as they get to go the the Chick-Fil-A instead of the Music City Bowl and they can’t even fill their own stadium. So if those being critical are Wahoo’s, you should tone it down a bit.
ABCNVA, you are correct, New Orleans is a great destination. Great sights, food and drinks. One of the best tours is one of the cheapest. Just get on the trolley near the French Quarter and ride out toward Loyola University. It goes right past some great old homes with great architecture.
Sorry abcnva, got your name wrong.
jeez, I did it twice, ABDNVA. Oldtimers disease.
proof reader wrote – “…If the fans don’t come (both teams) like they expect, then the idea of allowing this to happen again will not happen. This is more of an experiment than anything else…”
This is an experiment? Are you kidding? Are you trying to pretend that this is the first time that a bowl game as been decided by ticket sales? Bowls have ALWAYS been decided by who puts butts in the seats. As far as the BCS bowls… the BCS title game is earned by being #1 or #2, and the Rose Bowl is earned because it’s always Pac10 vs Big10 champs. Other than that, the rest of the bowls have always been about putting butts in the seats. Why are people acting surprised now?
Virginia Tech has an 8-10 bowl record in the Beamer era. Not fantastic but normally in bowl games you get a much higher quality opponent. Over the last ten bowl games, ALA is 5-5, Lsu 7-3, Ohio State 6-4, Ore 4-6, Texas 7-3, USC 7-3, Fla 6-4, Mich 4-6, Miami 5-5, Fsu 6-4. VT 4-6… so looking at teams who play BSC bowls and higher tier bowls, no one has a fantastic record and is much lower than normal. (Even though props to LSU, USC, and Texas.) Is VT’s record dissapointing? Sure I really hated that orange bowl against Kansas and the Insite Bowl against Cal. We probably should have won those. We have been a victim of the system before this time our fans, reputation and money have flipped that script in our favor. The only game the BCS promises is the National Championship game. The other ones are to make money. Surprise Surprise the businesses involved want to make money. Hence Michigan and VT. As far as OOC schedules go, take a look at Wisc. now that’s a weak OOC. VT has much tougher ones coming up in the near future, as just like ones in the past. Overrated at #11? That’s probably pretty close to where we belong. Michigan should be a good exciting game. As long as we come to play with our A game, we should garner another Sugar Bowl trophy. That’s fine by me in a season with a new quarterback and only 1 senior on D. I was looking at an 8-4 season, 11-2 works for me.
I have never been whipped and got rewarded for it. Why do they have the BCS anyway. Respect??? No money! Herbie speaks the truth. Clemson behind tech when they whipped them twice?? What else needs to be said. Boy we have come a long way.
When you look at the last 3 quality opponents we have played (Stanford and Clemson 2x) it is clear that we are increasingly overrated, which is a testament to the job that Beamer has done over the long term. This said, if we continue to embarrass ourselves in high-profile games the shine will come off of that apple as well. Beamer needs to continue the housecleaning he started last year and finally get rid of the offensive staff. The continued lack of ability to get points against quality opponents and a senior-dominated line that just looks inept at times cannot be our most defining offensive characteristics. It is just sad that the job that Foster does each year is wasted. Saturday aside, this may have been Foster’s best coaching job ever. I just hope that Michigan does not do a “Stanford” on us.
Proof Reader — I think it is possible the two schools will bring the fans but you never really know, especially based on how badly Tech did against Clemson. Some of these fans will come, they always will. But some may not, expecting a replay of the Stanford drubbing or the Clemson massacre. Also, in the current culture, a nice 42″ HD TV is a much better idea to see your team take a old fashioned whupping. Beemer and Madman Foster will have to convince some of these fans that they know how to prepare the team and then effectively coach by the time the game begins.
The VT fans need to be sensible regarding this game with Michigan. Fact 1: Tech does not do well against a QB that can run or is mobile in any fashion. Fact 2: Tech only faced two teams this year that could bring the pressure on Logan Thomas, that was Clemson and UNC. Clemson horsewhipped them twice and UNC would have but their were some officiating issues in that game. Fact 3: Michigan has a better run defense than Clemson and a very decent pass defense. As usual, Tech is very deeply in over their heads facing another elite team in a bowl game. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. I know that VT is not responsible for that silly number 5 ranking but the fans don’t care; they support them and travel well and what more can you ask for? Just be ready for another huge letdown, hangover and depression issues on January 4th.
Victor —- You need a reality check about Tech and their bowl game performances. In 2000 they played for the National Championship against FSU and did remarkably well; they belonged in that game, mainly because of Mike Vick. They have nothing much else to brag about in their bowl history, they have played patsies and cupcakes for the most part and managed to get themselves in a good position year after year and then lose to teams on level one. Nothing has changed; this year they lose the conference championship, beated soundly for the second time by the same team. But they are awarded a BCS bowl game because they travel well and bring in the $$$. But nothing has really changed, they are an overated team that will lose in a big way once again.
Toml says VT bowl record in the Beamer era is 9-15. Philthvt says 8-10. What is the OFFICIAL record?
He is 8-10. This is Tech’s 19th straight bowl appearance.
I know Michigan will prevail, VT couldn’t beat Clemson and they had two cracks at it. Michigan will steamroll the Hokies, GO BLUE!!!