RICHMOND, Va. -- They dance around the questions like they have been sternly warned, players from both sides trying not to become infamous with a poorly timed slip of the tongue.
But as Virginia's senior class prepares for its last game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, it is in an atmosphere that shows where the rivalry stands: Virginia needs to win to have a chance to go to a bowl game, while the Hokies are trying to reach the ACC title game.
Looking for bulletin board stuff in a bitter rivalry that has turned lopsided, what with the Hokies winning four in a row and six of the last seven?
Cavaliers linebacker Clint Sintim probably came the closest. "Winning the game is the most important thing," he said this week, "but knocking them out would be cool."
For Virginia (5-6, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), it's also win or go home, and while Sintim seems certain to be getting paid to play next season in the NFL, he's not ready to be finished at Virginia. He's making sure his teammates share his positive outlook.
"I don't want to join the real world," Sintim said. "We have the opportunity for two more games. I need to believe it, execute, and have the other guys feel the same way."
In spite of their dominance of late in the series, coach Frank Beamer decided to take no chances this week with the Hokies (7-4, 4-3), putting all but two players off limits.
"Coach said we don't need to do a lot of talking this week," defensive end Orion Martin, one of 14 Virginia Tech seniors, said. "We need to worry about playing UVA. I think it's something we needed, just letting two guys do it and try to get our focus back on UVA."
The Hokies were picked overwhelmingly to win their division as the ACC championship game berth, but have struggled all season with an inconsistent offense and some injuries.
The team also is one of the youngest Beamer has ever coached, especially on offense. Getting within one victory of the title game, and possibly within two victories from playing in the Orange Bowl, is an opportunity to make amends for all the struggles, he told them.
"I think they understand," Beamer said. "I told them I don't know how many seasons I've been doing this, but you don't get a chance to play for a conference championship every year. I think it's kind of special. You better take advantage of those."
Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hokies have been fixtures at or near the top of the football pyramid, and that's a lofty area that Virginia has rarely visited.
"We've had a good run," Beamer said of his 6-1 record in the series against Cavaliers coach Al Groh. "But trust me, this game you can forget about what's happened in the past and the only thing that matters is what happens this Saturday."
For as many as two dozen members of the Cavaliers, it's also the last chance.
"I wouldn't say we hate Tech," safety Byron Glaspy said. "That is just the game that we most want to win."
