Va Tech ready to take next step – get a BCS win

NEW ORLEANS – A couple decades ago, few in college football would have dreamed of placing Virginia Tech in the same elite class as Michigan.

As the teams collide in tonight’s Sugar Bowl, however, the team more associated with sustained success won’t be wearing maize and blue.

Virginia Tech (11-2) has won no fewer than 10 games in eight straight seasons. The Hokies are the ones whose 19th straight bowl appearance represents one of the longest streaks in the country.

If Virginia Tech has been short on anything since the program’s landmark victory over Texas in the Sugar Bowl that capped the 1995 season, it has been more victories in BCS bowls.

The Hokies have been to four since, losing them all, including twice in the Sugar – once against national champion Florida State in the 1999 season and once against unbeaten Auburn in 2004-05.

“We’ve had some great wins and we’ve done a great job getting here,” longtime Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said while posing for photos with Michigan (10-2) coach Brady Hoke. “Now we need to take that next step and get our share of BCS wins. … The challenge to Virginia Tech and to the ACC right now is not only get here, but get a win.”

And would a win mean Michigan is back as a national power? “I don’t think Michigan ever left,” said first-year coach Hoke.