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Thursday, November 09, 2000

Virginia Tech might have lost at Miami, 41-21, last week, but the Hokies are still hopeful of a berth in a Bowl Championship Series game.

No. 2 Miami (7-1, 4-0) has the best shot to claim the Big East Conference's automatic BCS slot as league champion -- and might make it to the national championship game -- but No. 8 Virginia Tech (8-1, 6-1) would like to grab an at-large BCS berth if it wins its remaining games at Central Florida and against Virginia.

"I still think it's possible to be 10-1, and I still think it's possible to get one of those BCS bowls," Hokies Coach Frank Beamer said. "I think that's very realistic. If we win these last two, I think we'll be right in the thick of this BCS thing."

Beamer said the BCS probably should want Virginia Tech if it finishes 10-1.

"You've got a team with the best player in the country, a Heisman Trophy candidate," he said, referring to quarterback Michael Vick. "I think we've got some things that should be attractive to any bowl."

The Hokies probably need some help from No. 11 Notre Dame, though. The Fighting Irish (6-2) need a minimum of nine victories to be eligible for an at-large BCS berth, so Virginia Tech's chances will increase if Notre Dame loses one of its final three games.

Irish stew

Don't look for Notre Dame to cooperate with Virginia Tech's plans this week.

The Fighting Irish play at home against Boston College (6-3, 3-3), a team that already has met the minimum number of wins for bowl eligibility and will be playing without starting quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee.

Real No. 7

Miami has long been known for showboating, and there was some of that going on during its showdown with Virginia Tech.

Hurricanes safety Al Blades and the Hokies' Michael Vick, who both wear No. 7, had a little verbal confrontation during the pregame warmups.

"He told me he was the real No. 7," Blades said after the game. "Well, here's the real No. 7," he said, pounding his chest. "Here it is, baby.

"After the game, I told him something that's not repeatable."

Vick, who had a sprained ankle, tried to play some in the first half but could not continue. He is questionable this week.

Rutgers' vacancy

Rutgers Athletic Director Robert Mulcahy said he has received "probably 100" inquiries for the team's coaching position, some directly and some through feelers.

Scarlet Knights Coach Terry Shea announced last week he would step down after this season. It was a decision that was readily accepted -- if not forced -- by the administration. He is 11-41 in his fifth season.

One potential candidate who surfaced weeks ago, when speculation of Shea's departure first bloomed, is Toledo's Gary Pinkel.

Whoever Mulcahy chooses for his short list, it would behoove them to have the backing of a big name in football. Five years ago, Bill Walsh called Mulcahy on behalf of Shea, and that helped Shea get the job.

"It depends on who they are," Mulcahy said of such testimonials, "but I certainly would take something like that in consideration."

Nunes not in plans

It doesn't look as if Troy Nunes will regain the starting quarterback job at Syracuse any time soon.

Nunes, a sophomore from Butler who won the job earlier this year but has thrown 13 interceptions, was replaced last week by freshman R.J. Anderson for the Orangemen's game at West Virginia.

Anderson was 18 of 33 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-27 win. He got hurt and left the game briefly, but came back to lead a 13-play winning drive that was capped by his 13-yard touchdown pass to Malik Campbell.

"We were very proud of how he handled everything," Syracuse Coach Paul Pasqualoni said. "He got hurt in the game and was tough enough to come back and play. He looked like a real quarterback in that [winning] drive."

Game of the week

West Virginia (4-4, 2-3) plays at Rutgers (3-5, 0-5). You have to love a game between teams with lame-duck coaches.

Quote of the week

Bobby Wallace, Temple coach, whose team is 4-5."Yes, we have lost four out of the last five games -- although two of them were Virginia Tech and Miami -- but at the same time, we're playing in November for something we haven't had in a long time, a winning season."