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Head-scratching computer rankings aside, Virginia Tech still led Nebraska in six of the eight polls used by the BCS to determine the nation’s top two teams. To pass the Hokies, the Cornhuskers would have to top them in five of the eight polls—which was theoretically still possible, if they beat Colorado and then Texas in the Big XII Championship game on December 4. Bottom line—Virginia Tech had to beat No. 22 Boston College in the regular-season finale on November 26.

The game was no gimme. The Eagles (8-2) could have been 10-0, but they blew a 14-0 lead over Temple on October 9 to lose 24-14, and on October 23 they somehow lost to Miami 31-28 after being up 28-0. On ESPN’s The Sports Reporters, New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica (a BC alum) said he thought his alma mater could beat Virginia Tech. Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser disagreed. “Tech is a really good team,” he said.

Virginia Tech and Boston College met on a post-Thanksgiving Friday evening, with reporters from New York, Boston, Washington, Dallas, New Orleans and Sports Illustrated joining the usual collection of Virginia newspaper luminaries in the Lane Stadium press box. CBS broadcast the game to 80 percent of the country. ABC’s Brent Musburger was in the house, looking live. He was assigned to call the national championship game and hadn’t yet seen the Hokies in person. He came away impressed as quarterback Michael Vick put on a show for everybody, accounting for four touchdowns and 366 yards of offense in a 38-14 win.

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