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Pulaski County (Dublin, VA) linebacker Tahrick Peak became the fourth verbal commitment of Virginia Tech's 2010 recruiting class on Friday. He will join his brother, 2009 recruit Nubian Peak, in Blacksburg.

Peak is a 6-2, 205 linebacker prospect. As a junior in 2008, he recorded 127 tackles in 10 regular season games. He also posted seven tackles for loss and an interception. He was recently timed at 4.45 in the 40 yard dash.

Peak was the top player in one of the top defenses in the state of Virginia this past year. Pulaski County only allowed 10 points per game, and the Cougars went 10-0 during the regular season. They eventually lost in the playoffs after winning a regional championship.

Peak is the fourth member of Tech's 2010 recruiting class, joining previous commitments Nick Acree, Mark Shuman and Caleb Farris.

Playoff talk has heated up again this week, with ACC commissioner John Swofford testifying in front of the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee. Swofford is serving as this year's BCS coordinator. Naturally, he argued against a playoff system, as it would mean sharing revenue with the smaller conferences.

Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson had a different point of view. He argued that schools from the smaller conferences don�t have fair access to the BCS, and don't really have a chance to compete for the National Championship. According to an ESPN.com article, Thompson called the current money distribution system "grossly inequitable." Under the current system, each of the six BCS conferences is guaranteed $18 million per year.

Joe Barton, a House representative from Texas, has introduced a bill that would ban the NCAA from calling a game a "National Championship Game" unless it was the final game of a playoff.

Representative Bobby Rush of Illinois agrees with Barton.

"How can we justify this system?" Rush asked. "Are the big guys getting together and shutting out the little guys?"

Swofford had perhaps the best reply of the day.

"I think it is fair," Swofford said, "because it represents the marketplace." He was indicating that college football fans care far more about watching major conference teams, thus the major conferences produce more revenue. They should not have to share that revenue with the smaller schools, who can't generate much on their own.

The BCS has always been under attack from fans, but political figures are now speaking out against it as well. Utah went undefeated last season, but did not get a chance to play for the National Championship. They went on to beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and as a result Utah Senator Orrin Hatch is getting involved, and an investigation is underway to determine whether or not the BCS violates antitrust laws.

It was easy to overlook while spring football practice was going on, but the Tech baseball team has improved by leaps and bounds in the third year of the tenure of Pete Hughes. The Hokies are currently 27-17 overall, with a 10-13 mark in ACC play. That is a huge improvement over the last two seasons.

The Hokies have already won more games overall than they did in 2007 and 2008. With six ACC games remaining, they even have an outside shot to win as many conference games this year as they did in the last two years combined. That's quality progress. The biggest change is the success the Hokies are having away from English Field. Tech has already won twice as many road games in 2009 as they did in all of 2007.

Despite the massive improvements, Tech is still sitting in last place in the Coastal Division of the ACC. The Coastal Division is a very tough division. UNC, Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia all have very good programs, and Duke is better than usual this year. The Hokies are the only team in the division with a sub .500 conference record.

If Tech was in the Atlantic Division, they'd have an opportunity for great success. Three teams in the Atlantic have a record of 8-16 or worse.

The Hokies will play a road series against Florida State over the weekend. The 'Noles sit atop the Atlantic Division with a 30-12 overall record, and a 15-7 mark in conference play. Tech's regular season concludes May 14-16 at English Field with a three game series against in-state rival UVA.