Virginia Tech will be playing arguably the most challenging and entertaining
out-of-conference schedule in school history in 2009. Enjoy it while you can,
because it’s the last good schedule you’ll see for awhile.

The Hokies will be playing Alabama, Marshall, Nebraska and East Carolina this
season. Two of them are amongst the most storied programs in college football,
and three of them played in bowl games last year. That’s a great schedule, and
one that all Hokie fans should be looking forward to.

Next year? Not so much. Tech will play Central Michigan, Western Michigan,
East Carolina and Syracuse. In 2011, it will be Appalachian State, Marshall,
Syracuse and East Carolina. The Hokies won’t play another heavy hitter until
they travel to the Horseshoe to take on Ohio State in 2014, unless you count
Pitt and Cincinnati in 2012.

Contrary to the opinion of some, scheduling in college football is not easy.
You can’t just go out and schedule Penn State for the sake of scheduling Penn
State. The numbers have to work out for both sides.

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