What’s the million-dollar question? Where do I land two tickets for the Virginia-Virginia Tech game? That one, however, is outside my control so save the e-mails. ... But kick yourself for failing to get season tickets. Besides, minus the Pittsburgh landslide, the 2007 home schedule has provided local football fans with some outstanding action. ... The burning question, however, is in regards to Virginia’s bowl fate. A 9-win season in the worst-case scenario should leave Virginia in a promising game for pay, right? Maybe. Maybe not. Virginia fans merely know this much: the Cavaliers should go to a better bowl game than Florida State (3-4 ACC), Georgia Tech (3-4), Miami (2-4) and the loser of Saturday’s upcoming game between N.C. State (3-3) and Wake Forest (4-3). While there is a small loophole, keeping hope alive for the winner of the Wake-N.C. State game, the ACC enforces a two-game rule - any team that’s two games better in league play (typically) is not to be skipped over in the bowl-selection process. In theory, that leaves Virginia’s worst-case scenario as the fifth team selected (if Wake beats N.C. State to finish 5-3 in the ACC or if N.C. State wins out to go 5-3 in league play). … The order, in case you are in doubt, is as follows for the top four spots: 1. Orange Bowl (ACC title game winner unless that team is No. 1 or No. 2 in final BCS standings, and that’s not happening this year); 2. Peach, err, Chick-fil-A Bowl (likely the ACC title game loser, but the bowl can reach outside depending on league and BCS standings and/or a desired contest); 3. Gator Bowl (common logic says this game would prefer a team that did not play in the ACC title game since it would be a repeat trip to Jacksonville, Fla., for the team’s fans); 4. Champs Sports Bowl.
… The bowl games in Nashville, Charlotte and San Francisco then take the remaining teams and submit bids on their top three choices. The ACC office then tries to match things up accordingly. Should the ACC title game loser be on the board, Nashville’s Music City Bowl must take that team. … The MPC Computers Bowl on Boise’s blue field is left to collect the scraps, and will likely take the winner of the N.C. State-Maryland game winner (the two five-win teams play Nov. 24). Miami could throw a wrench into the plans if it wins at Virginia Tech or Boston College, but winning requires scoring. … What does it all mean? Well, if Virginia loses to Virginia Tech, expect a trip to see Mickey Mouse at the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando. Sure, the Gator Bowl could scoop up Al Groh’s boys in this scenario, but the loser of Saturday’s Boston College-Clemson game would likely be more appealing. BC has a Heisman Trophy candidate in Matt Ryan. Clemson travels in really big bunches. In case you care, the Champs Sports Bowl is played Dec. 28 on at 5 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Possible Big-Ten opponents? Penn State and Purdue come to mind and Iowa and Michigan State are long shots. Of course, Virginia could just beat the Hokies and jumble the entire mess.