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Let's get this show on the road
Posted: Tuesday January 04, 2000 11:43 AM
NEW ORLEANS -- OK, already. Let's play the game and stop trying to manufacture news because there's nothing else left to report. The Sugar Bowl has become college football's version of the Super Bowl, and it's simply too long of a time to wait to play the game. By kickoff, Florida State will have gone 43 days in between games and Virginia Tech hasn't played since the day after Thanksgiving. The players are sick of taking about the game, their comments have been stale and scripted for several days now, and they're ready to get it on. "It seems like we've been down here forever," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said. "At the beginning of the week, we saw some nice sights, but now we're at the point where we're doing a whole lot of nothin'."
"We're all getting a little antsy," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "Believe me, we can't wait to get out on the field." That's what this whole week was supposed to be about -- the game. If bowl officials had some sense, they'd cut down the lag time for college football's crown jewel so that a terrific event doesn't become even more watered down. Noise level of the SuperdomeHere's a possible factor to the game that not many people have considered -- noise. Florida State held all its practices in the Superdome while Virginia Tech practiced outdoors across town at Tulane. Moreover, the Seminoles have brought speakers and blasted simulated noise as part of their preparation. The Hokies have not. "I'm not sure it will be that much of a factor for us," Beamer said. "We've played in domes before and in hostile environments before." That's true, but Virginia Tech didn't play in Syracuse's Carrier Dome this season and didn't play against some of the roaring crowds that Florida State faced. If it gets loud, the Seminoles will have a distinct advantage.
Dumb Questions of the DayBoy, the "Are-you-Serious?" school of journalism must have been conducting interviews of admission because we had some doozies on Monday. 1. To Beamer: Q: "Frank, you've had some considerable success over the years, have you had any job offers?" A. "Where have you been?" 2. To Beamer: Q: "Is there a souvenir or anything that your friends want you and your wife to bring back from New Orleans?" A: "How about a national championship?" 3. To Beamer: Q: "It seems like you've embraced the underdog role. Does that give you another opportunity to sneak up on Florida State?" A: "We are an underdog, but don't you think Florida State knows that by now?" 4. To Beamer: Q: "What impact on recruiting do you think winning a national championship would have for your program?" A: "Duh! We'd be able to get better players."
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