Despite their loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, Virginia Tech is headed to the BCS. The Hokies are ranked #11 in the BCS standings, and they’ll take on the Michigan Wolverines in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 3 at 8:30pm on ESPN. Both teams were selected as an at-large.
Virginia Tech beat out three other programs for the at-large spot against Michigan: #7 Boise State (11-1), #8 Kansas State (10-2) and #12 Baylor (9-3). The Hokies have proven to the Sugar Bowl three times in the past that Tech fans will travel, get hotel rooms, and spend money on Bourbon Street. Tech beat Texas 28-10 in the 1995 Sugar Bowl, lost to Florida State for the National Championship at the end of the 1999 season, and lost 16-13 to Auburn at the end of their inaugural season in the ACC.
The Hokies represented themselves well in all three games, and will be returning to New Orleans for the fourth time in school history.
The Michigan Wolverines finished 10-2 and ranked #13 in the BCS. Michigan lost to Michigan State 28-14 on the road, and fell at Iowa 24-16. They have victories over Notre Dame (35-31), Nebraska (45-17) and Ohio State (40-34).
The Wolverines are led by one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country in Denard Robinson. Robinson threw for 2,058 yards this season, with 18 touchdown passes and 14 interception. He also led the team with 1,163 rushing yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and scoring 16 touchdowns. Fitzgerald Toussaint also added 1,011 yards on the ground and scored nine touchdowns.
Overall, the Michigan offense averaged 423.1 yards per game, including 235.7 yards on the ground. Michigan’s defense is solid, allowing 317.6 yards per game.
The Wolverines are led by first-year head coach Brady Hoke. This is their first BCS Bowl appearance since they lost the Rose Bowl in 2006.
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