Kyle Tucker of HamptonRoads.com is reporting that a rematch of the 2009 Chik-Fil-A Kickoff Classic between Alabama and Virginia Tech is in the works for 2013:
Tech athletic director Jim Weaver confirmed Friday that he is in negotiations for a potential rematch between the Hokies and Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff to start the 2013 season, which 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 was a wild atmosphere in the Georgia Dome and a ratings hit on TV, 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."
While a rematch is kind of disappointing (I think we're all itching for another shot at FSU or Miami), it still fits the pattern of lining up marquee OOC opponents to start the season and get the Tide into the national discussion from the start. Hopefully this will go through. I mean, it worked out pretty well for us last time...