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Hokies, Seminoles to meet in Sugar Bowl

© Chuck Bednar

They avenged three straight losses to Texas. They silenced those who criticized their second-half collapse in last week's narrow 33-30 overtime win over Colorado. They secured a place in a BCS bowl and won their second Big 12 title in three seasons. In fact, there was only one thing Nebraska didn't accomplish with their 22-6 trouncing of the Longhorns on Saturday. They didn't earn a trip to the Sugar Bowl.

The final BCS standings were announced on Sunday and, as expected, Virginia Tech was invited to battle Florida State in the Jan. 4 national championship game. The Hokies, despite having only the 53rd toughest schedule in the country, finished second in the AP poll, the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, and every computer poll except the Seattle Times. The Big East champs finished the season 11-0 behind freshman phenom Michael Vick (90-for-153, 1840 yards, 12 TDs; 580 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs) and one of the nation's toughest defenses.

They will now face the undefeated and top-ranked Florida State, who have had their Sugar Bowl ticket in hand for several weeks. The ACC champs return to the big dance for the second season in a row with a hunger to avenge last season's loss to Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl. Leading the attack will be Peter Warrick, who endured a difficult and scandelous senior season for this very game. Warrick caught 71 passes this season for 934 yards, and has scored a total of 13 touchdowns in 1999 (8 receiving, 3 rushing, 1 punt-return, and one passing).

As for the Cornhuskers, they will have to be content with a Jan. 2 Fiesta Bowl match-up with the Volunteers. Tennessee finished 9-2 this season and reached the Fiesta Bowl as a BCS at-large team. Expect quarterback Tee Martin (165-for-305, 2317 yards, 12 TDs, 9 rushing TDs) and running back Travis Henry (790 yards, 8 TDs) to power the Vols' attack. Nebraska will counter with Eric Crouch (83-for-160, 1269 yards, 7 passing TDs, 889 rushing yards, 16 rushing TDs) and big Dan Alexander (865 yards, 8 TDs). Both teams will come into the game with a lot to prove, and the difference could be whether or not Nebraska can hang onto the ball like they did in the Big 12 Championship.

The BCS announcement show capped off an amazing weekend of football which saw Marshall survive a scare from Western Michigan in the MAC Championship (my nominee for 1999's Game of the Year) and Alabama beat Florida for the second time this season to become the SEC Champions. Bama will battle Michigan in the Orange Bowl, while the Gators will lock up with Michigan State in the Citrus Bowl. Marshall earns an automatic trip to the Motor City Bowl with the MAC title, and will face the BYU Cougars.