Virginia Tech football: Hokies add South Carolina to two future schedules

For years, Virginia Tech fans wanted more SEC foes on the football schedule. Well, athletic director Whit Babcock has been hard at work all year making that happen and today he added to that list by scheduling a home-and-home series with South Carolina.

Sure, the games don’t happen until 2034 and 2035, but it’s another step in the right direction. Geographically it makes sense. These two schools are often battling for the same talent and have went head-to-head for a number of players over the years.

Also, scheduling non-conference games against SEC foes is just much better than scheduling Rhode Island and Furman. That’s not meant to disrespect those programs, however, you can’t expect to be taken seriously on a national level if you are playing multiple FCS each season, in addition to an already questionable ACC slate which cannot be helped.

So, in 2034 and 2035, the Hokies have games against South Carolina and Alabama in each season. That is a tough schedule, or, appears to be one as we stand 15 years away. Lots can happen in the next 15 years, but this is good. The Hokies also have two games each against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, in addition to a home-and-home scheduled with Wisconsin in 2031 and 2032.

Virginia Tech has Penn State on the schedule in 2020 as the Nittany Lions come to Lane Stadium. With a roster chocked full of experienced returnees, there will be a lot of pressure on head coach Justin Fuente to pick up a signature win against a marquee opponent.

So, Hokies, what are your thoughts on these future schedules? Do you feel it is a positive trend or too far away to even care about?