A fight to join the elite

Thirteen years ago last night, inside the Louisiana Superdome, Virginia Tech announced its presence to the college football world.

The 28-10 win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl remains a magical memory for many Tech fans who, to this day, can see Bryan Still returning a punt 60 yards for a touchdown and catching a 54-yard touchdown pass from Jim Druckenmiller.

That night was Tech's first appearance in a "big four" bowl, and the victory proved to be the initial step in turning the Hokies into the household-name team they are today.

Tonight's Orange Bowl offers the chance to take another step -- against a Cincinnati team playing in its first major bowl, trying to distinguish itself like Tech did in 1995.

The Hokies (9-4) will be playing in their sixth big four bowl, known since 1998 as the Bowl Championship Series. They have played for a national championship and appeared in 16 consecutive bowls overall, a streak matched only by Florida and Florida State. A win tonight would give them 10 wins for the fifth consecutive season, a feat accomplished only by Texas (seven straight) and Southern California (eight straight).

"I think we've been over the hump," Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "We beat Texas. But we haven't consistently been good in bowl games."

They are 0-4 in major bowls since the 1995 Sugar Bowl -- a blemish that, coupled with their 1-4 overall bowl record the past five seasons, is preventing them from being regarded as one of college football's elite teams. While the Hokies are 0-3 in the BCS, Texas is 2-0 and Southern Cal is 5-1. The Longhorns and Trojans also have won a BCS national title.

Beamer realizes the importance of tonight, which is why he intensified Tech's bowl preparation. He shortened the break between the ACC championship and the beginning of bowl practice by eight days. He gave his team three days off for Christmas, compared with six last season.

While a win wouldn't automatically vault the Hokies onto the same level as Texas and Southern Cal, it would provide a springboard to next season, when 17 of the Hokies' 22 starters tonight are scheduled to return.

"I don't see why we can't be a top-10, top-five football team next year," said senior defensive end Orion Martin.

A loss would leave Beamer wondering just what it will take for his players to finish the season the way they played during it.

"We've had great regular-season games, but we've kind of stunk it up in the bowls the past couple years," Martin said. "That's been keeping us out of the elite group when you talk about us. So winning a BCS game would put us up there, I believe."

Cincinnati, which is 11-2 and enjoying its best season in school history, remains far from college football royalty. Like the 1995 Hokies, the Bearcats are relative newcomers to the Big East. Tech was in its fifth season in'95. Cincinnati is in its fourth season now. Like Tech, their surroundings -- rich with high school football talent -- offer promise for the future.

And like Still and Druckenmiller 13 years ago, these Bearcats understand the importance of playing in this game and getting the chance to prove themselves against an established team.

"I think it says that the University of Cincinnati has arrived on a national scale," senior linebacker Corey Smith said. "I believe from here, there's no looking back. We can't look back. You can't make it to the BCS one year and be subpar the next year. And that's not going to happen."