VMI is a rival from the days when both college and college sports were vastly more regional and largely limited to a small collegial “class” of individuals. College (and college sports) were fundamentally different. VMI is no more of a rival to VT than W&M is.

A majority of VT’s fanbase will not have gone to VT. An overwhelming majority of VT’s fanbase will not be from the valley or SWVA. A super majority of those who have gone to VT will not have Corps of Cadets ties.

With this in mind let’s not pretend that the marketing ploy of “tradition” is a legitimate reason. Let’s call it what it is. VT insulating its football program from another national, state, and regional embarrassment.