gameday.jpgESPN made a great decision this week. No…it wasn’t that they’re going to move away from their East Coast bias and stop burying the Big Ten in the middle of SportsCenters. They’ve decided that they’re going to take their wildly popular pre-game show, College Gameday to Blacksburg Virginia, home of the VTech Hokies on opening day. The games a dud against Eastern California, but it shows that someone’s thinking out in Bristol.

“Virginia Tech is a special place and the community is one of the most respectful and passionate we have visited,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN’s executive vice president of production. “Our coverage will be considerate of the emotional day facing the students, faculty, and people of Blacksburg and the country.”

Virginia Tech football head coach Frank Beamer added, “Every time College GameDay has come to Blacksburg it has been exciting. This time, I think there will be a greater togetherness than ever before.”

They could have been out in Berkeley for a great Cal v. Tennessee opener, but they decided to go to VTech. Some might think it is opportunism, but I’m holding out that they decided on VTech because they thought it might help the community there.

Now…GameDay guys. Get to Champaign. Please.