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By JOEY JOHNSTON jjohnston

@tampatrib.com

Published: December 2, 2008

For the second straight season, the Boston College Eagles (9-3) and Virginia Tech Hokies (8-4) will stage a rematch in Saturday's ACC Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. On Oct. 18, BC defeated Virginia Tech 28-23 in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Getting to the title game wasn't easy for either team.

The Eagles were 2-3 in ACC play after a 27-21 home loss against Clemson on Nov. 1. They needed to win out to capture the ACC Atlantic.

They did.

The Hokies lost control of their ACC Coastal fate on Nov. 13 with a 16-14 loss at Miami. They had to win two league games and hope Miami lost.

The Hurricanes promptly fell to Georgia Tech - and the Hokies took care of the rest.

SIMILAR STORIES

For the fourth time in 14 months, it's Boston College vs. Virginia Tech. Winner goes to the Orange Bowl, likely to face Big East champion Cincinnati.

BC has never reached a BCS bowl game. But for the Hokies, that's nothing new. Virginia Tech has made two Sugar Bowl appearances and could be making back-to-back trips to the Orange Bowl.

"We want to recruit kids with the idea of coming here to win championships," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. "Most of our kids do. We also know how fortunate we are to be in this ballgame. We haven't always played well, but we've always played hard."

For BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski, former offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, it's two seasons and two appearances in the ACC Championship Game.

The Eagles got to Tampa after the graduation of QB Matt Ryan. And in the final two games, after an injury to Chris Crane, the Eagles clinched the bid with redshirt freshman Dominique Davis, formerly of Kathleen High in Lakeland.

"It's very gratifying as a coach to see this team come together, especially when no one gives you a chance to do what we've done so far," Jagodzinski said. "Last year, it was expected. This year, no one expected it and it still happened."

ALL-ACC SELECTIONS

Florida State DE Everette Brown, the league leader in sacks and tackles for a loss, was a near-unanimous pick for All-ACC first team. Brown received 131 of a possible 134 voting points.

Other FSU first-teamers were G Rodney Hudson and K Graham Gano. Noles CB Tony Carter and S Myron Rolle made the second team, while Miami's Matt Bosher was selected as second-team place-kicker and punter.

First-teamers represented in the ACC Championship Game include G Cliff Ramsey, LB Mark Herzlich and DT B.J. Raji of Boston College, along with CB Victor "Macho" Harris of Virginia Tech.

WELCOME BACK

Boston College had one of its most memorable postseason experiences in Tampa. The Eagles defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27-24 on Dec. 23, 1986, in the inaugural Hall of Fame Bowl (now the Outback Bowl) at Tampa Stadium. In the 1993 game, BC lost to Tennessee 38-23.

Virginia Tech, meanwhile, has twice been to Tampa, defeating the University of Tampa Spartans in 1964 and 1967.

FOR THE FANS

Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, said each school gets the right to purchase 10,000 tickets for its boosters and fans.

Locally, tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (813) 287-8844. Prices are $25 through $120. Tickets include a postgame concert with country-music recording artist Blake Shelton.

Other things to do:

Friday, Channelside's Toast to the Atlantic Coast Conference is from 7 p.m.-midnight at the Channelside Entertainment Complex in downtown Tampa. It will include the school bands and cheerleaders.

Saturday, the ACC FanFest is in Lot 6D of Raymond James Stadium from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It includes 200,000 feet of interactive games, autograph signings, food and beverage. At 11 a.m., there is an ACC Mascots Game with all 12 conference schools represented. The FanFest is free to everyone in the morning, but only fans with game tickets can attend the postgame party and Blake Shelton concert.

FOURTH TIME AROUND

The three previous ACC Championship Games were held in Jacksonville.

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