Hokies trying to negotiate 2013 opener vs. Alabama

Posted to: College Football Sports Va. Tech Football
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By Kyle Tucker
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 25, 2011

BLACKSBURG

While Virginia Tech is taking a break from its recent string of marquee out-of-conference openers this fall - starting the 2011 slate with Appalachian State - the Hokies are hardly out of the made-for-TV business.

Tech athletic director Jim Weaver confirmed Friday he is in negotiations for a potential rematch between the Hokies and Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to start the 2013 season. The game would be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

"There's some potential to it," Weaver said. "It's nothing that's set in stone. The executive director of the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Gary Stokan, approached us."

Tech faced the Crimson Tide in the 2009 Chick-fil-A Kickoff, leading that game in the fourth quarter before Alabama pulled away to jumpstart its run to the national championship. It drew a rowdy, sold-out crowd and big TV ratings. So what's holding up the rematch?

"I don't know that there are any sticking points," Weaver said. "We just have to go through the process, agree on everything. It's just a little premature at this point to set it in stone."

If the deal gets done, it will mark another bold nonconference scheduling move by the Hokies. They opened the 2004 season against eventual national champion Southern California, played eventual national champ LSU in Week 2 of 2007, opened 2009 against the Tide and started last season against a top-five Boise State team.

Tech also played a home-and-home with Nebraska in 2008 and 2009. But other than a sweep of the Cornhuskers - who weren't a top-10 team either year - the Hokies lost all those marquee games. So why schedule another juggernaut? Weaver said he and coach Frank Beamer have no hesitations.

"We've talked about it, and we're on the same page," Weaver said. "It's good for the program."

The Hokies like the exposure from such games, the preseason motivation for players and the opportunity to eventually slay one of those giants and boost Tech's reputation. Weaver said he doesn't have a timetable for a decision on the 2013 opener.

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Great way to open, maybe by

Submitted by Sws5451 on Tue, 06/28/2011 at 1:56 pm.

Great way to open, maybe by then Foster will be out as DC and VT will not be out coached, examples: Miami Thursday Pm several years back, Alambama 2009, Boise 2010 and Stanford Orange Bowl. You must play big boy football so when the time comes you are not shellshocked by the talent. Also, Tennessee? Great tradition, awesome stadium, great fan base, might have a chance to finish 2n in their division, but far from any kind of contender. Rememeber the Chick fil a bowl?

Bama vs Hokies

Submitted by awg on Sat, 06/25/2011 at 10:12 am.

What is Weaver thinking?

Or is Weaver thinking. Tech hasnt beaten anyone of any quality since Noah floated the boat. Stanford, Bama,Southern Cal, LSU, Boise (who), yep Boise and now he wants a rematch with Bama.

I think a start against Appy State is a little more in line or maybe a Tennessee or Arkansas would be better suited. A loss to a major team just shows their weaknesses and gives other teams a scouting report to start the season.

I am not down playing Tech, they have done great with what they have but they still havent beaten anyone of quality in a long long time.

Alabama-Virginia Tech

Submitted by rolltide55 on Sat, 06/25/2011 at 8:31 am.

This will be great. VT can start the season with a loss and not string their fans along for most of the season by beating up third-rate teams and then getting whipped by a decent team. Roll Tide!

Don't want none...

Submitted by db233 on Sat, 06/25/2011 at 6:48 am.

Va. Tech don't want none of Phil Simms and the Bama Force... He'll most likely be the starter went they play in 2013. Tech is going to get blown away...

It is Virginia Tech doesn't

Submitted by Sws5451 on Tue, 06/28/2011 at 1:59 pm.

It is Virginia Tech doesn't want any of Simms and The Bama Force? Simms, remember his brother and by the way Simms might get to start his senior year. Roll Tide, I agree great program, but get off the bandwagon bud!

Not only is Tech taking a break from marque non-conf openers....

Submitted by RiverParkPirate on Sat, 06/25/2011 at 5:48 am.

...this (2011) season, they are taking a big break from any major non-conference games this year as all four non-conference games are against teams from non-BCS leagues.

Virginia Tech is good, WVU needs to move into the same region

Submitted by NO JONES on Sat, 06/25/2011 at 12:37 am.

But The Alabama Crimson Tide is a force to be reckoned with and profits should go to rebuild/renew Tuscaloosa. I was down there last year and it's incredible how Trussville, Birmingham, Childersburg, and Tuscaloosa are becoming one giant region three times as big as Atlanta.