Virginia Tech's gridiron might extends into political forum

The reality was, the ACC had to adjust to the Hokies. After starting 2-2 (losing to USC and being stunned at home by North Carolina State), Virginia Tech won eight in a row to clinch the first title of the nouveau ACC.

"It sure worked out well for us for us to be able to get in the league," Beamer said. "It took a twist at the end for us. We were always happy with the Big East, but if Miami is going to leave you want to be in that grouping."

Beamer is all about saying the right thing. The velvet hammer approach permeates his program.

Aside from Michael Vick, it's hard to remember a Hokie for the ages.

Budding star cornerback Jimmy Williams was embargoed from the media after he took a swipe at USC's Mike Williams last year. But the Hokies usually leave you bloody to the point that Virginia Tech has won at least a share of four conference titles in the past decade.

Since 1995, it has played in as many of the Big Four bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta) as USC, Michigan and Oklahoma (four each). If it is drafting behind Miami into the ACC, the record doesn't show it; Virginia Tech has won seven of the past 10 meetings.

There are only a handful of Beamers in the history of college football -- men who have built not only the program but the school. Tom Osborne and Joe Paterno come to mind, two coaches who are as much responsible for their school's identity as they are the football team.

Beamer is there now. It has been 18 sometimes long, hard years. It took until Beamer's ninth year to get over .500 at the school. Now the program is rolling bigger than an Escalade.

For now, Virginia Tech has surpassed the state school in sustained excellence. There was a time when elite recruits in Florida wouldn't have thought of coming to Blacksburg. Now Beamer is confident enough to recruit pretty much anywhere in the Southeast.

Like Penn State, Nebraska and others, Virginia Tech football is a commodity. Beamer's accomplishments wouldn't allow the program (through the help of the suits) to die on the vine in the Big East.

Beamer looks out his office window and sees a multi-million upgrade to Lane Stadium.

There's a good chance this year's Hokies will start the season ranked in the top five. Marcus Vick (yes, Michael's brother) has worked his way back onto the team after a troubled past. Williams has cleaned up his act, wisely rejecting the NFL to sharpen his skills.

Another reality: The Sunshine State gorillas don't look so fearsome. Miami opens at Florida State in a nationally televised prime-time conference season opener. There's a good chance neither team will be ranked in the top 10.

Meanwhile, the best ACC opener could be the previous night in Raleigh, N.C., when Virginia Tech visits North Carolina State.

The roadblock is now football excellence, not back-room deals. For the first time the ACC will split into divisions. From now on, having the best conference record won't mean a thing. The whole season will have to be put on the line in the conference championship game.

"We probably need to educate our people," Beamer said. "Sometimes when you have as a good a year as we did the fans may start accepting that every year. It just got tougher with a game you've got a 50-50 chance of winning."

Beamer isn't complaining. He's winking an eye to those in the know; clinking a glass at those cocktail parties. He knows it pays to be tight with politicians, especially if you've got a self-made state treasure to back you up.

"We just got a little tighter," he said laughing.