Virginia Tech has added Middle Tennessee State to the 2020 and 2021 football schedules to replace the recently canceled series with Michigan.
When Michigan cancelled the series with the Hokies, they had to play Tech $350,000. That payout ensures that Virginia Tech will come out ahead financially after securing the Blue Raiders in a home-and-home series.
Tech will receive $250,000 for playing in Murfreesboro on September 19, 2020, while the Blue Raiders will receive $500,000 for playing in Blacksburg on September 12, 2021. With the $350,000 payout from Michigan included, Tech will come out $100,000 ahead.
Middle Tennessee State is not Michigan in terms of talent or stature. However, football schedules are done years in advance these days, and scheduling on short notice is very difficult. It was always likely that the Hokies would not be able to find a big-name opponent to replace the Wolverines on such short notice.
Murfreesboro also offers a great tourist destination for traveling Hokies fans, as it is only a 43 minute drive from Nashville.
The future football schedules page has been updated to reflect the schedule change.
How many seats in MTSU’s stadium?
Wikipedia says 30,788.
Just a guess but it seems this could cost ticket sales and ad revenue.
Refresh my recollection – why did Michigan cancel?
To earn the name McCHICKEN. They realized Coach Fuente is building a legitimate contender here in B’burg and they needed an easy win. We don’t fit that bill anymore.
Two schools came along that they wanted to play more. Arkansas State and TBD.
What would have been the net dollar difference in payments if we had paid Michigan?
I believe that the payments between P5 schools cancel each other out.