Miami, Virginia Tech to renew Big East rivalry in hunt for ACC championship

By Lee Roberts  |   Wednesday, November 12, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

College Football
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

The Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies face off Thursday night in a game with significant implications on the ACC title race. These schools are no strangers to seeing each other in these types of games, going back to their days in the Big East.

Commentary: When the ACC pillaged the Big East for Miami and Virginia Tech a few years ago, it had visions of the two schools, along with Florida State, turning it into a football superpower. That hasn’t happened yet, but this late-season rivalry game is a step in the right direction.

Miami and Virginia Tech battled for Big East titles in the 1990s and early 2000s before making the move to the ACC. Thursday night’s game provides both schools with a prime-time opportunity to declare their candidacy for ACC champion. With a win, Virginia Tech will establish itself as the clear leader for the Coastal Division crown. The Hokies' remaining schedule features home games against Duke and a reeling Virginia team and Virginia Tech can control its own destiny from there.

On the other side of the ball, if Miami can earn a victory, it will still need North Carolina to lose once more to control its destiny. Of course, in the second year under Randy Shannon, this is closer than anyone thought Miami would be to an ACC title. Given the amount of youth on Miami’s roster, it’s not difficult to see the Hurricanes reigning over the ACC in another year or two.

With this much at stake, any two opponents would be raring to play. Throw in the long and heated history between these two programs and you have appointment television for all college football fans. You can be sure the ACC office is pleased to see these schools playing meaningful games this late in the season – just like it was supposed to be.

Fan Pulse: Here is a great back and forth between a Miami and a Virginia Tech blogger. Both bloggers think that the running game will be the key to victory.

Injury Watch: For Virginia Tech, QB Sean Glennon is listed as probable. Fellow signal-caller Tyrod Taylor is questionable. Taylor’s presence, or lack thereof, could be a major factor. For Miami, Randy Phillips, Vaughn Telemaque and Randy Futch are out, while Leonard Hankerson, Jason Fox and Shawnbrey McNeal are doubtful.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report