Posted on Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 11:29 a.m.
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer defends Hokies' Sugar Bowl bid
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Frank Beamer
Associated Press
"When you're the only team to have won 10 games [eight] straight [years], the only team in the country to do that, yeah, I don't think there's an apology necessary," Beamer told roanoke.com. "When you've been to 19 straight bowl games, I don't think there's an apology necessary."
Beamer has defended Virginia Tech's resume since the pairings were announced Sunday. The Hokies were No. 11 in the BCS rankings and will take on No. 13 Michigan on Jan. 3 (8 p.m., ESPN), the first time two at-large teams outside of the top 10 BCS team have been selected. Critics felt No. 7 Boise State or No. 8 Kansas State would have been better fits for the Sugar Bowl.
Comments
azwolverine
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
native, The only sham is the process by which teams are ranked to begin with. Florida Intl coach ranks UM 25th? 4 coaches rank us 18th? That's as bad as Phil Fulmer and John Cooper ranking UM 4th in 1997 for their own personal vendettas despite UM being 12-0 and having beaten three 10+ win teams. No, Michigan earned their way to the Sugar Bowl (played more bowl teams than any team in the country), and would have been ranked higher had some coaches actually used sound judgement rather than furthering whatever personal agenda they might have. There is no way on earth that there are 24 teams better than Michigan this year. No way. Michigan football is back, and no vendetta can hide that fact. Kudos to the BCS system for seeing through the garbage and inviting a truly deserving team despite some sneaky characters trying to keep UM out to suit their own needs/wants. Same goes for Va Tech. The Sugar Bowl will be an outstanding matchup between two of the nation's top programs. Period.
AANative
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 12:10 p.m.
This years Sugar Bowl is a sham. BCS bowl selection is not working fairly when a #11 & a #13 team are selected over better ranked teams.
MichFanTex
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
Frank Beamer has no reason to apologize. Should TCU make it through the B12 with an 11-1 or 10-2 record, I'm sure they'll make one of the BCS bowls and should BSU ever join a real conference, they might enjoy the same rewards.
emelaas
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.
It's so funny he uses the same logic U of M fans have - it's not about what happened this year but rather, what we've accomplished over the last 20 or 50 years. That kind of makes me wonder: why do we even have a regular season? Based on this logic, Florida and Notre Dame should have made the Sugar bowl this year.
azwolverine
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
Believe me, emelaas, as a life long UM fan and alum, it IS ABOUT THIS YEAR! We beat our arch rival, went 10-2 against a schedule that included only one losing team and 10 bowl teams, beat ND, and welcomed B10 newbie Nebraska with a smackdown the likes of which they've rarely received. So, in answer to your question, YES, we do need a regular season. UM earned the Sugar Bowl and, imo, so did Virginia Tech by going 11-2 in a major conference. Of course, a history of excellence doesn't hurt, but had they gone even 10-3...their history wouldn't have gotten them in.
tulsatom
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
I don't know much about Va Tech except they have had a very good record over the years and Frank Beamer has done a great job with them. I think one of their strengths has been special teams, so U-M should prepare well in that area to avoid a blocked punt or two because they seem to excel in that area. Also, their defense is usually pretty tough. It ought to be a good game.