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There is plenty on the line this weekend as the Hokies and the Hoos battle for the Commonwealth Cup
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When you’re playing your brother, you always want to beat him. It doesn’t matter if you are playing one on one or Scrabble, and it doesn’t matter if it’s something you are awesome at or quite frankly stink at, you must win. You know anything less than a victory will result in annoying taunts, possible horrible victory dancing, and pretty much make the time until the next contest simply unbearable.
For Virginia Tech and UVA Saturday will provide the forum for just such an occasion.
The 91st meeting of the Hoos and Hokies features two programs headed in completely opposite directions. On paper more closely resembles that backyard football game you played against your 12-year-old cousin yesterday than the highly competitive Division 1 game the schedule makers had envisioned.
As the teams prepare to battle for the Commonwealth Cup for the 14th both teams’ fates appear to be locked in.
UVA started to seal their future early on by dropping games to William and Mary, TCU, and Southern Mississippi. More recently they have secured their place on the couch this bowl season by losing their last 5 games.
As for Virginia Tech, the Hokies have had a season of mixed emotions with hopes rising to a BCS level quickly following victories against Nebraska and Miami, then falling just as quick as Tech stumbled in loses to Georgia Tech and UNC.
On the surface Saturday’s contest would appear to be somewhat of blip on the college football radar screen, but there is still plenty on the line for both squads.
For the Cavilers a victory would end their current 5 game skid, not to mention a 4 game losing streak to ranked opponents. It also would allow them to avoid their 6th straight lose to their in-state rival and capture the Commonwealth Cup for only the second time this decade and no doubt provide some comfort to an otherwise dreadful season.
A win could drastically help any effort to salvage Al Groh’s career at the helm of the UVA program. An impressive showing could very well provide the glimmer of hope needed for the school to chose to keep their head coach, rather than pay the 4 million dollars it would take to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.
For the Virginia Tech a win would not only allow them to keep the Commonwealth Cup for a 6th straight year, but would put the possibility of accomplishing their 6th straight season double digit victories within a bowl win of their grasp.
More importantly the game will provide the Hokies with on final stage to impress potential bowl committee members.
Tuesday the BCS officially announced that 20 teams remain in the hunt for BCS bowl bids, 8 of which who eligible for at large bids, being unable to earn their conferences’ automatic bids. Even though Tech will not play in the ACC conference championship game, being ranked No. 14 in the BCS standings has allowed the Hokies to join this group.
An impressive victory on Saturday, combined with some help from other teams stumbling, could put the potential to make that leap from a Gator Bowl invite to a BCS bowl invite within the realm of possibilities.
Rivalry games are always hard fought regardless of teams’ records and what’s on the line. Saturday’s contest will be no different, especially with both teams’ having much to gain in earning the right to hoist the Commonwealth Cup.
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