Alabama Football: Why a 2013 Opening Day Rematch with Virgina Tech Could Be Big

 In 2012, the Alabama Crimson Tide opens up with a big out of conference game with Michigan. By then Michigan should have their new coach and new philosophy well under their feet with a good 2011 season.

That pairs up two teams with a deep tradition that haven't seen each other in a while and the game being in the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium will help Saban make further inroads into recruits in that area.

In three meetings, all bowl games, Michigan won the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1988, 28-24. In 1997 Alabama won the Outback Bowl 17-14, and the last meeting was maybe the best, a spectacular game that Michigan won by the Alabama place kicker, Ryan Pflugner, missing an extra point in overtime, by a score of 34-35.

The Wolverines quarterback was Tom Brady and the Bama quarterback was Andrew Zow.

So, some wonder why Alabama would schedule a rematch with Virginia Tech after just doing so in 2009. It was supposed to be a close game, but Alabama simply dominated the fourth quarter of that game and whipped the Hokies, 34-24.

It really wasn't as close as the score made it look. Tech had only 64 yards total rushing and just 91 passing for a measly 155 yards total offense. Ingram had 150 all by himself. Alabama wound up with about 500 yards of offense.

So why the relatively quick rematch?

Because Tech could be the Cinderella team of 2011 and be just as strong in 2012, giving Alabama a true marquee matchup in the eyes of the pollsters. Saban always loves a good strong opponent to open up with when he can.

Take a look at the Hokies' 2011 schedule and you'll see that all the tough games, such as Clemson, Miami, Boston College and North Carolina are at home and they should be favored in all those games. The only tough road game will be at Georgia Tech.

They could easily run the table and, with a little luck, look at being in the BCS National Championship consideration.

That would certainly make having them as an opening day opponent a lot more attractive. Even more so should they follow up the 2012 season with another good run and that is entirely likely as well.

Maybe this is the start of the same kind of history that Alabama and Michigan have developed and perhaps continuing the path of getting Virginia Tech on Alabama's rivalry list. 

Though all the details still have to be worked out for both games, Saban says they're all but a done deal.

Personally, I just think he wants to avoid another Kent State opener like the Tide has to start this season.