Football Selected To Win 2000 BIG EAST Crown

July 27, 2000

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The University of Miami football team has been selected to win the 2000 BIG EAST Conference championship following a poll of the league’s media representatives. It marks the sixth time since round-robin play began in 1993 that the Hurricanes have been the preseason favorite to win the crown.

Miami received 15 of 24 first-place votes and 183 points overall. Virginia Tech, the 1999 BIG EAST champion, was picked second with nine first-place votes and 177 points overall. Syracuse, Boston College, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Temple and Rutgers round out the remaining preseason poll.

The Hurricanes finished the 1999 season with a 9-4 record and a 28-13 victory over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. UM finished second in the conference behind the Hokies with a 6-1 mark.

Miami, which won the BIG EAST championship in 1991, ’92, ’94 and `96, return seven players who earned All-BIG EAST honors in 1999. A total of 49 lettermen also return highlighted by 14 returning starters. Since league play began in 1991, Miami has forged a 45-10 (.818) overall conference record to lead all members.UM begins the 2000 season with McNeese State on Thursday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Orange Bowl. The 2000 home schedule includes Florida State, Louisiana Tech, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Boston College. For Hurricane ticket information, call 1-800-GO CANES or 305-284-CANES.

2000 Preseason BIG EAST Football Poll(first-place votes in parenthesis)Rank   Team             Points1.     Miami (15)          1832.     Virginia Tech (9)   1773.     Syracuse            1344.     Boston College      1095.     Pittsburgh          1006.     West Virginia        857.     Temple               488.     Rutgers              28