No. 1 Miami one victory away from Fiesta Bowl

MIAMI -- Each week, Brett Romberg and his linemates get together for food and fun. The destination sometimes varies, as do the dishes.

This week, with top-ranked Miami one victory away from a berth in the Tostitos-sponsored Fiesta Bowl to play for the national championship, the order was easy.

Nachos.

This is what the Hurricanes (11-0, 6-0 Big East) have played for all season: a trip to Tempe, Ariz., to defend their national title. No. 2 Ohio State awaits, and so does a shot at being just the second team since 1980 to repeat as national champions.

All Miami has to do is beat No. 18 Virginia Tech today at the Orange Bowl -- easier said than done, even with the Hokies (9-3, 3-3) having lost three of their last four games and coming in as 18-point underdogs.

"We realize there's a lot at stake," said Romberg, a center who is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy. "We know the goal is so much more attainable than it was earlier in the year, and guys are going to bite down a little bit more and focus a little bit better. But believe me, we all know that we have to go through Virginia Tech first, and it's not going to be easy."

The Hokies have given the Hurricanes more problems than other conference teams in recent years, winning five of the last seven meetings. But Miami has won two in a row, both games being key in claiming Big East titles and spots in the Bowl Championship Series.

The Canes, winners of 33 straight games, already have clinched some championships this season: They won the unofficial state title by beating Florida and Florida State, and they clinched the Big East last week by beating Syracuse.

But the only championship this team cares about comes with rings, a parade and a trip to the White House.

"We don't even think about losing," guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli said. "It's not in our minds, it's not in our repertoire. The line is drawn out for us, and it's definitive. We know what we have to do to get to where we want to go."

Nebraska (1994-95) is the last team to repeat as AP national champs and the only team to do so in the last 22 years.

In the 1970s, by contrast, it was quite common. Three teams did it: Nebraska (1970-71), Oklahoma (1974-75) and Alabama (1978-79).

Miami, which has won five national titles since 1983, certainly has the talent and, maybe more importantly, the motivation -- something the players say has lacked at times this season. That might have contributed to slow starts and relatively close games against Temple, Boston College, West Virginia, Rutgers and Pittsburgh.

The Hurricanes have played their best this season when challenged, and they've played their best during the winning streak in big games.

"I think they've got a lot of motivation," Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "They're playing for a chance to play for the national championship and that's about as much motivation as you can possibly have."

After losing to Pitt, Syracuse and West Virginia, the Hokies returned to form last week against Virginia, winning 21-9 behind running backs Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. The Hurricanes expect to see much of the pair, especially since Miami has struggled to stop the run this season.

Jones gained 160 yards against Miami last season and almost spoiled the Hurricanes' trip to the Rose Bowl. The Hokies scored twice in the fourth quarter, cutting Miami's lead to 26-24, but receiver Ernest Wilford dropped a 2-point conversion pass that prevented Tech from tying the game.

"We know what we're doing in our run defense," said Larry Coker, 23-0 as Miami's head coach. "The thing about these two backs is they're going to make some plays. I would be shocked if they don't make some plays."

The Hurricanes expect to make some plays, too, especially with Heisman Trophy contenders Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee. That duo has led Miami in every game this season.

"We're in a great position," Coker said. "Ohio State is already there. They have their ticket. We're in the front row of the ticket booth, but we're not in the theater. We're in a great position, but we can't look ahead."