Virginia Tech-Boise State: History Repeats Itself

Tech and Boise might breed some contempt through familiarity When Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer stands on the sideline at FedEx Field for his 22nd season at his alma mater and looks across the field against Boise State (#3 AP, #5 Coaches), he must see a lot of his program in the Broncos. Just 20 years ago, Beamer's Tech squads were just starting to climb towards respectability, joining the Big East after spending close to 50 years in the Southern Conference and an independent. It was in the '90s that Beamer began to assemble the Tech program into a power. The Hokies announced their arrival with a Big East championship and a 28-10 resounding victory over perennial powerhouse Texas in the 1995 Sugar Bowl. Since then, they have been a fixture in the Top 25 and notched a national championship berth in 1999 led by Michael Vick that ensured its place among the elite in college football. Beamer, instituting his hard-nosed version football nicknamed "Beamer Ball" with strong defense and special teams, has sent numerous players to the NFL and raised the profile of the school to first-rate after years in the shadow of its in-state rival Virginia. This year's version of the Hokies comes into Monday night with a more mature leader in QB Tyrod Taylor and a dynamic rushing duo of Ryan Williams (last year's ACC Rookie of the Year with 1,600 yards rushing and 21 TDs) and Darren Evans (1,253 yards rushing and 11 TDs in 2008). Tech is considered by many to be the favorite in the ACC this year and a serious contender to get to the BCS Title game. Standing in their way are the Broncos, the upstart program that is looking to take the next step into the elite. Much like Virginia Tech, Boise State had an upward climb to respectability. The Broncos made the jump from Division 1-AA (now FCS) to the major Division 1 college football in 1996. Three years later, they had their first bowl win against Louisville in the 1999 Humanitarian Bowl on their home field in Boise. Since 2000, the Broncos have the best winning percentage in major college football (.875) with a record of 112-16, including a record of 36-4 in the last three years and two BCS bowl wins. The thrilling 43-42 double-overtime victory over powerhouse Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, filled with trick plays, introduced Boise State into the greater consciousness of the nation. Last year's Broncos squad became the second team in FBS history to go 14-0 after a win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl and the expectations for this year are high. Chris Peterson, who took over for Dan Hawkins, has taken Boise State to the next level; constructing a squad that returns 19 starters and features Heisman candidate QB Kellen Moore, All-American candidate WR Titus Young and an underrated but capable defense that will keep them in games well into the season. So as the Hokies take on the Broncos in the nation's capital, there has to be some sense of recognition among both teams. Fifteen years ago, it was Tech that was the upstart program that seemingly came out of nowhere to rise to national prominence with a unique style of football and has ridden the wave to success. They were once the program that most powerhouses kept an eye on. Once the hunter, the Hokies are now the hunted with their mirror images in the Broncos looking for another notch in their belt. Though they are the higher ranked team, Boise State is widely considered an underdog for Monday night's match-up. However, the underdog role is one that the Broncos are well familiar with and have thrived in. The Hokies should take note and heed: They were in the same position not too long ago. Should Boise State walk out of FedEx Field with a victory, they could be staring a date in the season's final game in Glendale in the face.