Governors bet on Orange Bowl

Story by Chris Graham
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Tim Kaine, like Toto in “The Wizard of Oz,” isn’t in Kansas anymore.
The Virginia governor is also a well-known Virginia Tech football fan – and he’s willing to bet a Virginia ham that his Hokies will beat Kansas in the 2008 Orange Bowl.

“Tech is a great university with a great football team. I don’t want to jinx them, but I think Tech’s defense is going to handle KU pretty easily,” Kaine said yesterday in confirming his bet with Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, who is wagering an assortment of Kansas beef on her Jayhawks.

“Tech’s defense is more than KU has seen,” Kaine said of the Jan. 3 game, in which the the third-ranked Hokies are four-point favorites over the eight-ranked Jayhawks.

Kaine will be unable to attend the game, though Sebelius will be on hand to cheer on KU.

“The Kansas Jayhawks have proven themselves to be outstanding students and incredible athletes. Pairing that depth of talent with their nationally acclaimed coach is a winning combination. Coach Mangino and his team have made our state very proud, and I look forward to cheering them on,” Sebelius said.

Chris Graham is the executive editor of The SportsDominion.