No. 12 Cincinnati Bearcats (11-2) vs. No. 19 Virginia Tech Hokies (9-4)
When: Tonight, 8:30
Where: Dolphin Stadium, Miami
Line: Cincinnati by 2.5
TV: ESPN
Why you should watch: You shouldn’t. This game is between two teams that have no business being in a Bowl Championship Series game. The Hokies have been little more than a sacrificial lamb in big bowl games, as a mediocre Kansas team beat Virginia Tech, 24-21, in last year’s Orange Bowl. The Hokies, who lost to East Carolina earlier this year, have failed to resemble an elite conference champion. The team’s quarterback play was so dreadful, Coach Frank Beamer was forced to play quarterback Tyrod Taylor. But Taylor (896 passing yards, 2 TDs), who was supposed to be redshirted, still struggled to guide a pop gun attack that averages just 22 points per game.
The Bearcats, who lost 40-16 at Connecticut and 52-26 at Oklahoma, are led by junior quarterback Tony Pike, who has thrown for 2,168 yards and 18 touchdowns against seven interceptions. The team’s defense, however, has been its strength, as it is allowing just more than 20 points and 314 yards per game.
Did you know this person went to Cincinnati: George Clooney, Academy Award-winning actor who has starred in “The Perfect Storm,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” and “Syriana.”
Did you know this person went to Virginia Tech: Jim Buckmaster, chief executive officer of craigslist.com. Point to Cincinnati — and it’s not even close.
Carey predicts: Cincinnati, 23-17
Bimbo predicts: Cincinnati
