What a difference a year makes. Last year, the Hokies went to the Orange Bowl
and scratched and clawed their way to a tough, hard-fought 17-10 victory over
the Miami Hurricanes. That game was a physical battle that came down to a
critical turnover and a couple of key tactical decisions by the Tech coaches
that out-maneuvered the guys on the other sideline. The loss to the Hokies was
the second of what would become a four game losing streak for the Canes, sealing
the fate of head coach Larry Coker and his staff.
One year later, things have only declined further for what was once the top
college football program in the nation. Under new coach (and former Miami LB)
Randy Shannon, the wheels have all but fallen off the once-proud, always defiant
Miami program. After getting shellacked by the Virginia Cavaliers 48-0 in the
Orange Bowl's swan song, the Canes were called out by their own recruits as "quitters"
and "guys that didn't care whether they won or lost". Shannon even warned the
players that they were on the verge of being labeled as "losers" for the rest of
their lives. No question -- the Canes came to Blacksburg with their pride
bruised and a big chip on their shoulders.