Big East Championship Game...

One of the fears going into expansion was that the a couple of Big East teams would come in and dominate. In fact the two teams were put into the same division so the survivor could face the expansion team that joined the league in the 90's in the championship game every year. If Bobby's team had a bad year, no problem, his son's team would be able to face one of the big bad expansion teams from the Big East in the championship game. No one really worried about the other expansion team. They were just a middle of the road team that would win seven or eight games and not compete for a division title. Little did anyone realize that Miami and FSU's football programs would tank and that this little private school from Boston would find just the right quarterback to carry them to the conference championship game.

1:00 PM

Boston College vs. Virginia Tech
Jacksonville, Fla. (Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game)
TV: ABC (XM 190/191/192)
GameTracker
Championship Site ACC ISP Sports Radio Network ACC Championship Saturday Preview Show

Here we go, Tech and BC for a trip to the Orange Bowl… Think about it if Tech had played just five more minutes of defense in the first game between these teams they would be playing for a shot at the BCS Championship Game… BC’s season has been one to remember, but one has to wonder how many of their fans will remember to go to their bowl game if they don’t make it to the Orange Bowl…

Matt Ryan is by far the best QB in the ACC. In my mind his signature moments were the comeback wins at Va Tech and at Clemson. Not too many visiting QB’s can say they have won games in Death Valley and in Blacksburg, during the same season. None of them can say that the led last minute come backs that stunned the home crowd. Ironically, the Eagles face a Hokie team that has struggled some at QB this season. Tyrod Taylor has added a spark to the offense with is play making ability, but after a disastrous start, Sean Glennon has played well down the stretch and given the Hokies a passing threat. People often say that if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks. That’s not the case here as both of these guys can hurt you. It reminds me of when NC State rotated Charles Davenport and Shane Montgomery at QB the year they beat Iowa in the Peach Bowl.

Now to the game. Tech will definitely remember that they let one get away from them when these teams played in Blacksburg. I am sure Bud Foster’s defense will not change up and go to the prevent if they have a late lead. The key is to keep pressure on Ryan. The bad news for the Hokie Defense is that there is only a slight chance of rain today in Jacksonville. The Eagles will have to avoid giving up the big plays on special teams. Ryan will have to have a complete game and not count on being able to come back late in the game. Although on paper it looks like a ticked off Hokie team should be able to handle BC, remember the last time the Hokies were in the Championship Game they lost to a very underwhelming Florida State team… Hokies 28-24