Tech, Alabama close to deal on 2009 football opener

Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver confirmed today that the Hokies will open the 2009 season against a Southeastern Conference team – probably Alabama -- in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Weaver said representatives of the ESPN/ABC family of television networks contacted him about the possibility of the Hokies opening with Alabama in a "made-for-TV" game.

Negotiations are ongoing with the Crimson Tide and should that deal fall through, Weaver said, another SEC team would likely replace Alabama. The Tide will open this season against Clemson in the Georgia Dome.

"It's very similar to opening the season in 2004 with USC," Weaver said. "This is certainly on par with that, and it excites us. It's a great opportunity for our program."

To accommodate the game, Tech has pushed back its previously scheduled 2009 opener with Cincinnati to 2012.

The Hokies’ non-conference schedule in 2009 is now likely to be its toughest in recent memory. Nebraska was already scheduled to play in Blacksburg that season, and will remain on the schedule. Tech will also host Marshall and play at East Carolina in 2009.

Weaver said neither he nor coach Frank Beamer was worried about adding another difficult opponent.

"Not at all," Weaver said. "We both thought we should do it, without a doubt."

The Hokies last played Alabama in the 1998 Music City Bowl, a game Tech won, setting up the following season's run to the national championship game.