Admittedly I'm taking this from the good folks over at /r/cfb but...
Say, for whatever reason, Virginia Tech goes independent next year and you get to choose who you play. What would your dream schedule consist of?
As for this guy: (in no particular order; also I'm a bit of a border war homer)
Tennessee - Bristol is a must.
Louisville - fairly close and they're up and coming.
West Virginia - good ol' hate for the cousins would make for some good match ups
Uva - just to reassure our dominance on the state of Va
Texas am - our maroon bros
PSU - always wanted to visit their stadium
Notre Dame - historic team
NC state - I'm not really a fan of UNCheat or Duke. I hate ECU.
Miami - beating them always feels good
Uga - I've got quite a few Uga friends, so this match up would always be fun
Wisconsin - you can't run from us forever
Oklahoma - seems like it could be fun
Honorable mentions : LSU, GT, NDSU (the fbs killers)
*sidenote - all picks are alcohol induced
Comments
Also, I have zero interest in the pac12..
0o0o0o0o i'd love to go up against Oregon.
And I want revenge on USC.
Just fill the season with UVA so we would finish the season undefeated and all games with a large margin of victory against a P5 school.
UVA, Miami, Georgia, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Texas, Boston College, Michigan, Illinois, Rutgers, Florida
UVA- Rivalry
Georgia and Georgia Tech- Stagger so we have one at home and the other away every year. That way we always get a trip to the state of Georgia for recruiting. Also, building a rivalry with Georgia Tech.
Miami and Florida- Same as above but for recruiting Florida.
Boston College and Rutgers- Same as above but for recruiting the northeast.
Vanderbilt- A relatively close to home manageable game against a P5 school. Also to piss off Vol fans that we pick up Vandy instead of them.
Illinois and Michigan- Trips into Lefty's old stomping grounds. I guarantee he'd love to pick up a series with Michigan. I'm selfish and want Illinois.
Penn State and Texas- Two storied programs I've always wanted us to play. Also in fertile recruiting hotbeds.
My dream schedule is one without ECU
One day....
Actually, I disagree. If, in this hypothetical, VT were suddenly independent I think a lot of us would like to play ECU. They're a decent program, not too far away, with passionate fans in a good recruiting area and with whom we have a lot of history. I suspect the reason so many fans are tired of this series is that we only get 4 non-conference games per year and playing the Purple Pirates seemingly every year takes away opportunities for other more compelling matchups. If we suddenly had 12 non-con's per year, I think frequent games with ECU would be pretty desirable.
I'd enjoy it, could drive to the games from SC, I like eastern NC, the fan base is passionate and the food is Awesome.
dbl post, ignore
Then good news!
We replace them with another regional G5 team with a spunky underdog mentality, a good upward momentum, and a pass happy offense. And we play then like 20 years in a row.
Wait...Fuck.
We replace them with north Dakota state uni
playing the Ohio State university and Alabama is always exciting especially when they are no 1 . it gets the team and fans motivated in the off season.
I've always wondered what would happen in a VT Oregon game.
Millions of people would try to adjust the color on their TVs.
Beautiful
My friends and I have often wondered all of the "what ifs" between us and Oregon. I think a whole new thread could be started comparing where the 2 schools where 15 years ago and where they are now.
At one point, we were in position to be the East Coast version of Oregon: unique jerseys, our own style of football, and on Nike's VIP list. I think it's also cool that both of out mascots are birds. But again, that's another story for another thread.
I'd say until the last 5 or so years, we were ahead and more popular than the Ducks. We had more success at that point I would guess. They had the Joey Harrington run at that point, but that was about it.
When Chip Kelly took over from Mike Bellotti, I distinctly remember all the media attention on what large shoes Chip Kelly had to fill, and there was a bit of a prevailing thought that no coach could have the success Bellotti had, because he really made Oregon football relevant. People forget how meteoric Oregon's ascendancy was.
Especially since he was at like New Hampshire or whatever before.
this is dream schedule so I am not considering recruiting or anything. just what I would like to see.
PSU - this should be a thing already
lolUVA - losing to VT is as American as Jefferson sleeping with his slaves. It is known.
TENN - same as PSU
TCU - always love the horned frogs. i would really like to see this happen for the uniform colors alone.
GT - I absolutely HATE them, which is why TechmoBowl must continue.
MICH - No PAC10 refs to save your ass now
Nevada - grew up with them, personal bias
Cocks - Beamer and Spurrier should be a thing.
Whiskey - power run vs run stop. the noise of pads hitting would be thunderous.
TAMU - CORPS-pocolypse. Must be done.
WVU - wildlings and the nights watch. somebody's got to man the wall to keep them on their side.
LSU - DBU, there can be only one! plus Foster gets to rip apart Grimes' OL.
Final 4 - VT, Bama, OSU, Oregon
VT vs OSU: Meyer manhandled again
Bama vs Oregon: Ducks soar
Championship: VT - Oregon, Battle of the Holiday Birds. (tagline: Somebody's Gonna Get Carved up!)
Yup, so many of these things. My 12-game schedule would include:
Rivals:
LOLUVA, Miami, GT, Pitt
Should-Be-Yearly Rivals:
PSU, Tennessee, WVU
Keep or add these folks:
USCe, aTm, UNC, MD, BC
If we have issue with BC and Pitt power running games, then I am not looking fwd to this Whisky match-up.
I wouldn't be too worried. Their passing offense is always so bad we could theoretically put a single defensive back on the field to cover all of their receivers and load up ten in the box.
Bring back Kendall for one game and have a 5-5 UBER BEAR DEFENSE LOOK up front.
I had a dream that in the same year we were scheduled to play:
Wake
Richmond
VMI
William & Mary
Madison College
Villanova
Temple
Tulsa,
And then I woke up.
Independent? Admit it, you guys belong in the B1G. I'm hurt fewer posters suggested THE Ohio State University, especially since you are currently 1 - 0 against us.
Seriously, I'd like to see us play you more in the future. One of my hopes is with the playoff format we'll see more marquee games and less cupcakes, since winning a conference championship is what will really count; especially if and when the playoffs expand to 8 teams. Under the current system, a team that plays more good non-conference teams should be more appealing than one that waxes a couple of cupcakes. The plus side for both teams is they won't have to make large payouts to schedule the easy games so they'll not only have better football but more revenue as well. If I were the scheduling god, I'd do what the Pac12 and B1G tried to do; setup a conference matchup where each team from one plays one from the other in a year, scheduled based on preseason rankings or end of season standings. You could do two such setups a year and really make schedules more interesting.
It's "anOSU" around here. AnOSU would never agree to a long term series with a real P5 team unless the culture in the athletic dept changes. Too many cupcakes to beat up on around the state and Midwest. I am shocked by how many openings anOSU has in their schedule in future years.
I'm not so sure. the B1G negotiated a conference matchup with the P12 but realignment ended that before it started. It was to be a #1 vs #1, 2 vs 2, etc deal. We have traditionally follow date 1 great opponent OOC , 1 or more in state Mac teams and the rest whatever; much like the conferences in the BCS when an early loss could cost you the shot at the title game.
The playoffs change that picture so stronger OOC slates are not only viable but may be more advantageous to making the final 4 cut.
Given the challenges with out year scheduling we often have them open and then fill them with games. We have OU and TCU coming up so it's not like we duck tough opponents, also having played UT and USC in past years.
The biggest knock I have on OSU's schedule is that they play in the B1G which frankly has been pretty mediocre of late. Now I'm not saying the ACC is much better (it really isn't) but the B1G just hasn't been what it was 15 years ago. Outside of OSU there aren't really any teams that are powerhouse teams. Every once in a while you'll have a Mich. St or a Wisconsin put a good team on the field for a year or two but then it's back to the watered down league that it has become in the last 20 years. The problem is that the reputation is still there. Think back to the two consecutive years OSU backed into the NCG by plowing through a weak conference only to get walloped by their opponent. Because of the names (OSU, B1G) they would cruise through their schedule and look like world beaters in the process but they didn't deserve to be in the NCG. That much was made clear by final scores of 41-14 and 38-24 (which was a lot less close than the score indicates thanks to some 4th Q scoring). Now was OSU a bad team those years? No, I don't think so, but they were unfairly inflated by the B1G being worse than their reputation. So a decent team that didn't deserve to be in the NCG made it there by default. OSU was a beneficiary of a legacy. That is starting to happen with the SEC. The league is becoming inflated by their reputation. On reputation alone, Alabama should have been awarded the National Championship before any football was even played. They ended up losing their first playoff game in spectacular fashion. It was awesome!
I think you mean OSU belongs in the ACC. I actually enjoy playing you guys, win or lose, even though... we have only won so far. /s
I like a lot of teams in the B1G but I do not like the B1G at all. If you took the best of them with the best of the ACC that would be a hell of a conference. #ConferenceMURICA
Yea, that would be a hell of a conference.
One challenge we have is the B1G is also an academic alliance of research schools which limits who can join and makes splitting off difficult. Nebraska was given a waiver because their AAU membership was pulled when the med school was operated from the main university. I have no doubt you guys would qualify for AAU membership if you applied.
We've actually been working on it for a while now. We made huge strides under President Steger as a research university, and I'd put money on us being an AAU member by the time President Sands retires.
Not without merging one of the Med schools fully into VT.
There has to be some sort of gameplan for that behind the scenes. Steger was too open about making AAU membership a goal. He knew the requirements and he wouldn't make public statements about it if he didn't have some strategy to get us there.
I think VT would love one or both med schools inside. I don't think the Assembly in Richmond wants to pay for it and I dont think VCU or UVA does either.
Also, what are the specifics on the med school guidelines? Nebraska got kicked out over it, but some AAU members don't even have a med school. Is being in a partnership with Carilion actually worse for us than if we didn't have any sort of medical program at all?
It hurts because research money that the medical schools get or play a major part in getting don't count towards the University. That fact and the fact that many USDA grant and research money don't count really hurt Nebraska.
VT is working on that with Carillion in Roanoke.
Parts of the D.D.S program are in place already.
It's a private public joint venture. They just graduated an MD class while VCOM is the DO school. They don't count for VT grants or any other measures.
I can see that really hurting Nebraska, because I don't really think of that school as a research institution. I think our research focus puts us on better footing to not need to count those research dollars in order to be accepted into AAU.
Virginia Tech is one of the top research universities in the country. Its research buget is higher than most and it has been increasing over the last decade.
I agree with this sentiment. This series appears to have been very fun for both fan bases and anOSU went and got itself a very nice little consolation prize last season after losing to Tech (I think-- could be wrong-- its called a national championship? I don't know, someone correct me, I've never seen one in Blacksburg).
Clearly, I think this has the potential to be a fun good-natured rivalry without the vitriol you guys reserve for "that team up north" or that we reserve for Thomas Jefferson's douchebag elitist offspring (or the Cousins of WV--*shudder*). I got the sense that most Hokie fans who traveled to Columbus had a pretty hospitable welcome (with some exceptions, but let's not kid ourselves, that exists everywhere), and I expect/hope it will be the same in Blacksburg for Buckeyes (reminiscent of our Nebraska series).
I'm all for more of these.
In general, everything you say is well reasoned and articulate, and I appreciate the sentiment that you believe we should be conference mates, but VT has a much stronger SEC profile than a B1G profile.
I could see a pretty good rivalry with you guys and PSU from the B1G, maybe Nebraska as well. Other than that, I think it would lack some geographical interest. As far as an out of conference rivalry, I'm all for playing tOSU anytime.
Soon to be 2-0... /troll_off
I would say ideally, UVA, Miami, Clemson, sakerlina, one of the NC schools, Tenn, Penn St, Cincy (would be a home game for me), Ohio state (second close one), Louisville and Vandy (both in good drinking towns), and Georgia Tech for engineering school bragging rights.
I don't care if we ever play WVU again, their awful fans and craphole stadium are quickly on their way to becoming the Indiana of the Big12.
Have to admit, I kind of shuddered when I read "independent" at the start of this, because I remember the days when we were an independent in football. Scheduling was hideously tough in those days. For every Clemson, Florida State, and West Virginia we played, there were always offset by Richmond, William & Mary, ETSU, VMI, Appy State, etc. This kind of schedule was responsible for a 9-2 record and not getting a bowl invite. Just brought back bad memories.
But to accept the premise of the question, I'd do the following:
anOSU, just because of last year's game.
Tenn., just to be able to kick the Vol's butts.
USCw to make up for that game in DC
Boise St., ditto
Iowa, because I'd enjoy the dynamic at home with my Hawkeye wife
Miami. It's a blood game.
Texas. For old time's sake
Clemson, because I want to hear Dabo cry.
Notre Dame. I really dislike ND. Really. Always have.
MD, because I want to get that bad taste out of my mouth, and that image of Randy Edsal smirking out of my head.
AZ, just so we could beat Richrod again.
LOLUVA.We just can't stop beating them. It's like an addiction. A beautiful addiction.
PSU - I don't know why this hasn't happened yet and being from PA, this would be awesome.
Pitt - "Home" game for me and I love beating these guys, although it's been tough to do.
WVU - A former great rivalry and despite the few horrible fans, it's a fun game to attend.
Miami - A good Big East rivalry and it's fun to show them that they are still not back.
GT - Techmobowl!
LSU - To prove which school is the real DBU.
aTM - The two schools with both a civilian and military population on campus.
Tenn - Too close of a P5 school to not play each other often.
ND - I hate ND. Join a conference already or exclude yourself from bowl tie-ins. Playoffs or NOTHING for ND.
Oregon - I'd love to see their O against our D. Plus I really don't like the Pac12.
FSU - Just because they dominated the ACC in the past before we got here and have been doing it again lately.
LOLUVA - Obvious choice.
I don't mind the Pac12 as much as I don't like Pac12 Officials....Which is why I would love to play Michigan again.
How about a schedule of all the teams we have beaten in bowl games. For fond memories sake.
Cincinnati
Rutgers
Michigan (Danny caught the ball)
Tennessee
Cincinnati (again)
Louisville
Air Force
Clemson
Alabama
Texas
Indiana
NC State
I'll bite. In no particular order:
1. OSU - self-explanitory
2. UMD - good to grab DMV recruits with this
3. Oregon - I want to play the ducks soooo badly!
4. USC(west) - Revenge!
5. Tenn - just have it yearly at Bristol
6. U[sic]ga - Still have the bad taste from the chik-fil-a bowl game in my mouth
7. ND - Love to take them down a notch with their holier-than-acc-attitude
8. Tejas - Love that kind of national exposure
9. FSU - Keep some ACC tradition
10. Miami - too much bad blood to let this one go
11. WVU - DEF too much bad blood to let this one go
12. Lill VT - continue our unbeaten streak against them
Was tough to let go GT, but as much as I hate them, i'd rather play some other marquee / novel opponents. Also tough to not play Clemson, but seeing how we don't play them that much anyways, it wasn't a hard move for me.
can we go ahead and establish that LOLUVa should never ever be called Lill VT ever again? ever
Haha was meant to show they aren't the big dog in the state. Perhaps I could've stated it better.
Indeed. I believe the proper nomenclature is "Charlottesville Community College Junior Varsity Football Club."
"Football" is used loosely. More like they're playing pass the hot potato.
...which is actually (to them) a variation of lacrosse (without sticks)
ODU - From Norfolk, so I can't wait for this game.
@ASU - coeds
@UGA - see above
USCe - Frank the tank vs Ole ball coach
BC - F&ck Matt Ryan
Oregon - spread vs Bud
@Hawaii - just because why not?
GT - Techmo
@aTm - Esprit de Corps
@UCLA - nice weather and listen to bill roth call game again.
WVU - Was before my time as a fan, so I'd like a taste of the rivalry
UVA- A win as american as the turkey and stuffing on thanksgiving
Bonus - Alabama for the championship - Troll tide
After your first game this is how I interpretted the rest of your picks:
@ASU - coeds
@UGA -
see abovecoedsUSCe - Frank the tank vs Ole ball coach
BC - F&ck Matt Ryan
Oregon -
spread vs Budcoeds@Hawaii -
just because why not?coedsGT - Techmo
@aTm - Esprit de Corps
@UCLA -
nice weather and listen to bill roth call game again.coedsWVU - Was before my time as a fan, so I'd like a taste of the rivalry
UVA- A win as american as the turkey and stuffing on thanksgiving
not a bad way of selecting opponents at all.
I really like the idea of playing UCLA just so we can hear Roth again.
I'm a big fan of regional rivalries, so, every year I'd want to play: