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	Friday, December 13, 2002 Players to Watch - No. 2 Virginia Tech at No. 3 Miami By Will Weiss BCSfootball.com DAVE MEYER   School: Virginia Tech Year: Senior Position: Quarterback Ht/Wt: 6-3, 211 Hometown:Ramsey, N.J Year Games Comp.-Att.-Int. Yards TD Rush Yards TD 2000 5 10-19-0 152 0 4 14 0 1999 9 25-42-3 292 1 11 -20 1 1998 4 10-17-2 166 2 13 -11 0 1997 2 0-1-0 0 0 2 1 0 Career 20 45-79-5 610 2 19 -16 1 Dave Meyer has spent four years waiting in the wings. On Saturday, he'll get his opportunity at the Orange Bowl, when No. 2 Virginia Tech faces No. 3 Miami in a game rife with BCS implications. Although Meyer has only appeared in 20 games in his career, he is no stranger to the Virginia Tech offense. Last week, he led the Hokies to a dramatic 37-34 comeback victory against Pitt, going 7-for-13 for 114 yards, but more importantly, Meyer stayed cool under pressure and delivered a win when Michael Vick was sidelined with an ankle injury that has been the focus of this week's media circus. Meyer has a strong arm, earning the nickname "Deep Ball Dave" from his teammates, and has underrated speed. He was a hurdler in high school, and has the ability to scramble when needed. "He pulled the ball down and got some positive yards," said head coach Frank Beamer about his performance against Pitt. "He ran the option well, and he knows our offense." Meyer will have help from a supporting cast that is second in the nation in scoring. Running back Lee Suggs leads the country with 17 touchdowns, and wide receivers André Davis and Emmett Johnson are back in the lineup. But he will face one of the toughest and most athletic defenses in the country, led by linebackers Chris Campbell and Butkus Award Semifinalist Dan Morgan. He will also be challenged by a talented secondary, led by Al Blades, that has picked off 16 passes this season. With a favorable schedule following the visit to Miami, a Hokie victory would put Va. Tech in excellent position to finish the regular season undefeated and return to the National Championship Game. While his college career has not been what he envisioned coming out of Ramsey High School, Meyer has a chance to become an unlikely hero. CLINTON PORTIS   School: Miami Year: Sophomore Position: Tailback Ht/Wt: 5-11, 190 Hometown: Gainesville, Fla. Year Games Rush-Yards Avg. TD Rec-Yards TD 2000 4 35-339 9.7 2 3-79 0 1999 10 143-838 5.9 8 4-44 2 Career 14 178-1177 6.61 10 7-123 2 After missing a month with three broken toes, Clinton Portis is happy to be back. "I'm ready to roll," Portis said. "I know I'm capable of carrying us against Virginia Tech if needed." During his first season and a half at Miami, Portis has built the reputation of being a game-breaker. If he is to carry the Hurricanes Saturday, he must do so without breaking down. While he gained 139 yards in last year's 43-10 loss in Blacksburg, his three fumbles changed the face of the game. "I doubt that will happen this year," Portis said. As the third back in Miami's repertoire, Portis is the secret weapon, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. He is a slashing back, different from James Jackson and Najeh Davenport, with breakaway speed. And he relishes playing in critical situations. Jackson and Davenport will see the brunt of the playing time, but when Portis is in the game, expect him to make a difference for the 'Canes. Will Weiss is the assistant editor of BCSfootball.com.	ALSO SEE Dell Game Preview: No. 2 Virginia Tech at No. 3 Miami The last five years of Miami-Virginia Tech 5 things to watch Arute: Hokies headed for the big storm Danielson: And then there were three Fowler: Hokies in hunt Corso: Not So Fast, My Friends Big East notebook SEARCH Keyword ESPN.com The Web

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