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Ronde: Stumping For The ACC

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: December 4, 2008

Updated: 12/04/2008 12:11 am

Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber, a former University of Virginia player, was part of the bid presentation that lured the ACC Championship Game to Tampa.

But that wasn't just for show.

Barber has been involved in the marketing and promotion of the game, set for Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, when the Boston College Eagles (9-3) meet the Virginia Tech Hokies (8-4).

"Ronde has been a tremendous part of the team," said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.

Even though a rival school is involved - Cavaliers and Hokies generally don't see eye-to-eye - Barber wants the game to be a big success in Tampa.

"It's unfortunate that some conferences have championship games and others don't," Barber said. "The Big Ten would really benefit in having one, I think. With the ACC's season culminating in Tampa - particularly after such an up-and-down unpredictable year - it just makes for the perfect ending."

Barber was part of arguably the most famous game in ACC history when Virginia upset Florida State 33-28 in 1995, handing the Seminoles their first ACC defeat in 30 games. Virginia and FSU both finished 7-1 in the ACC, but despite the head-to-head victory, the Cavaliers were shuttled to the Peach Bowl, while the Seminoles went to the Orange Bowl.

"I don't know if I would've wanted a conference championship game back then or not," Barber said with a laugh. "I'm not sure we wanted to play Florida State again. We put everything we had into that one night of the upset."

LEGENDARY NIGHT

Ronde Barber's brother, Tiki, will be in town on Friday night as part of the ACC Night of Legends (invitation-only event) at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Tiki Barber, the Virginia legend, was selected ACC Offensive Player of the Year (over FSU's Warrick Dunn, among others) in 1996 while playing running back for the Cavaliers.

Each year, the 12 ACC schools selected a former player to be honored at the legends event. North Carolina's Marcus Jones (a former Bucs' first-round draft choice), Florida State's Danny Kanell and Miami's Russell Maryland also are in this year's legends class.

Other ACC legends - Boston College's Steve DeOssie, Clemson's Levon Kirkland, Duke's Claude "Tee" Moorman II, Georgia Tech's Pat Swilling, Maryland's Stan Jones, N.C. State's Bill Yoest, Virginia Tech's Don Strock and Wake Forest's John Henry Mills.

DROUGHT IN BCS BOWLS

Boston College or Virginia Tech can do the ACC a big favor by winning the Orange Bowl. Since Florida State defeated Virginia Tech 46-29 at the 2000 Sugar Bowl, the ACC has dropped seven straight BCS bowl games.

ACC Championship Game tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (813) 287-8844 or www.ticketmaster.com. 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 Shelton concert.

More information on game events is at www.theroadto

tampabay.com.

LOOKS LOW-SCORING

If the trends hold, points and yardage will be at a premium.

In the NCAA's national rankings, Virginia Tech is sixth in total defense (274.5 yards allowed per game) and BC is eight (276.7).

BC is 94th in total offense (319.3) and Virginia Tech is 103rd (301.3).

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Dating to last season's ACC title game, Virginia Tech's last three TDs against BC were all scored on interception returns.

Joey Johnston

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