The Tunnel

They are not tied. The State Legislature in VA does not meddle in the athletic affairs of the Universities. Let's just say that when VT left the Big East and joined the ACC, some very influential alumni exerted influence on the Governor who exerted influence on UVA's President to support VT's entry.

The Governor has long since changed, It is true though that there is a debt of gratitude to the President of UVA so this is one of many reasons why VT does not want to be the impetus behind ACC football imploding. Thankfully, we have the Seminoles and Tigers leading that charge.

VT is going to do what's best for VT. If that means heading to the SEC without UVA, then so be it.

The influential alumnus exerted pressure on Casteen, as a UVA Board member, VT and Darden grad and HUGE $upporter of both

How can you say they'll be an excellent match? The Hokies would be a mediocre team at best in the SEC, not to mention it would cost them upwards of $20 million in exit fees to leave the ACC. It just doesn't make sense to me unless the ACC is unraveling in front of us and they have no choice but to leave, but it doesn't seem like that is going to happen and a lot of this stuff is the summer rumor mill. I see FSU and another program jumping to the Big 12 and thats it...just some food for thought.

Sorry, but I don't buy that at all. I remember people saying the exact same thing when we got into the ACC back in 2004. "Sure, VT did well in the Big East, but they'll be no better than a middle-of-the-pack team in the ACC." Well, we all saw how that turned out.

Would the competition in the SEC be tougher week in and week out? Of course it would. But I think we'd get better simply by playing tougher competition every week, plus our recruiting would improve as well. We'd be able to keep a lot of the kids that we're now losing to SEC programs.

Finally, as regards the exit fee, if we did move to the SEC they'd almost certainly help us out with the exit fee.

If FSU and/or Clemson bolt for the Big 12, the ACC is toast.

No way we'd have to pay full buyout. My guess is sec would help with majority of fee. They have the money to do it and we have the tv market to provide

I'll bet you there's not a single coach in the SEC that thinks he can bring his team into Lane Stadium for a cakewalk over the Hokies. Ask Nick Saban about bringing his 14th ranked Tigers to the Burg and leaving on the short end of a 26-8 score.

We may not blow the doors off but I know we can compete with those guys and I think we can from day one. I'm willing to accept fewer wins for the excitement of being in Lane to watch SEC football. Hard to imagine the emotional high one would have walking out of Lane having just beat an Alabama or Florida or LSU. Chills. I'm ready for, and willing to accept the consequences of, SEC football. Let's get it on. jmo