The Hokies are heading back to Atlanta for the Chic-Fil-E Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Note that the “Peach” part of the bowl name has been officially dropped, but we all know it’s the fucking Peach Bowl.
The Peach bowl pairing (like almost all bowl games) is about making as much money as possible (and in the Peach bowl’s case following the contract defined rules of which conferences they can take … ACC and SEC) but that aside I can see a lot coming from the VT/Tenn game:

1. They have been trying to get VT/Tenn to play an invitational +1 game at Bristol Motor Speedway for years and this may bring it one step closer to reality.
2. VT is happier to return to Atlanta when the alternative is that partial-birth abortion of a city, Jacksonville. Despite losing two times already in Atlanta this year alone, going to the Gator Bowl would feel more like a punishment than anything. Besides it will be right for FSU and Bowden’s swan song to be at home in their home state of Florida.
3. The argument is that the SEC’s mediocre can beat up on the ACC’s best (see GT/UGA or Clemson/USC) but this will be a good chance to test that theory when the Hokies try to extend their 10-win season streak.
4. Tenn is rebuilding and taking on a great team like Virginia Tech who is coming off a BCS domination over Cinci last bowl season plays favorably for viewers outside of the teams’ fanbases. I’m sure Tennessee is excited for the chance to get their team back in the limelight, regardless of the outcome.
5. VT last played Georgia recently in the Peach bowl so a rematch might not be as profitable or exciting for fans - myself included - and I’d rather play Tennessee than LSU or one of the even “dumber” SEC schools.

Side note: I’m very disappointed that TCU will be playing Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. I really wanted to see the David and Goliath thing play out against a major conference team like Florida. And apparently there was actual discussions of taking Virginia Tech OVER Cinci or Boise State for the last couple of bowl selections. As a Hokie fan I would have been very happy to see the BCS selection choose Virginia Tech over Boise State but I couldn’t straight-face call it fair.