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Virginia Tech, Virginia clash for spot in ACC title game

Nov 24, 2007 - 11:35 AM No. 8 Virginia Tech (9-2) at No. 16 Virginia (9-2) 12:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (Ticker) -- More than the usual bragging rights will be on the line Saturday when No. 8 Virginia Tech and 16th-ranked Virginia battle for the Commonwealth Cup.

The winner captures the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division title and advances to the ACC championship game against Boston College.

Virginia Tech is seeking its second appearance in the ACC title contest in three years. In 2005, the Hokies lost to Florida State, 27-22, in the inaugural ACC championship game.

"Next week will be the biggest game we've ever played against Virginia, without question," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Usually, we're playing for a bowl, but now we're playing for the right to go to the ACC Championship.

"It's a compliment to the state of Virginia that two teams here are fighting it out in our division to go play in the ACC Championship."

Virginia Tech (9-2, 6-1 ACC Coastal) was expected to be in this position and has bounced back from its collapse against Boston College with three impressive victories, including last week's 44-14 rout of Miami.

Virginia (9-2, 6-1 ACC Coastal) has lived on the edge for most of the season, setting a Football Bowl Subdivision record by winning five games by two points or less.

But the Cavaliers barely broke a sweat in their last contest, routing Miami, 48-0, on November 10 in the final game at the Orange Bowl.

Prior to that victory, Virginia had won its previous four games by a combined five points.

Virginia Tech has dominated Virginia in recent years, winning seven of the last eight meetings to take a 46-37-5 lead in the all-time series.