We’re live from a real bowl game (BCS notwithstanding)
Wonder if this guy can play left tackle and has any eligibility left?
I moved here 20 years ago, so I missed the worst chamber of commerce disasters involving weather and the Peach Bowl and Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. (Missed the 1988 season game when North Carolina State and Iowa combined for 14 turnovers and it rained so hard and for so long that former AJC staff writer Gary Pomerantz mused that the crowd of 44,635 (or not) “gasped like blowfish.”
Most assumed things would get better when the Peach Bowl was moved indoors to the climate-controlled Georgia Dome in 1992. But to this extent?
The Peach Bowl gave way to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and its current incarnation might be the greatest remainder of what the college bowl season used to be about: Good teams. Intriguing match-ups. Happy and content fans who viewed college football’s post-season as a reward, not an aggravating and illogical exercise in futility (read: BCS).
It helps that the Chick-fil-A Bowl has tie-ins with the SEC and ACC. It helps that the game has a roof to protect it from miserable weather days like today. It helps that fan bases from around the South love to come to Atlanta.
But none of that guarantees great match-ups.
Though the final scores haven’t always backed up the expectation of competitive games — as Georgia Tech would prefer to forget — the game has had great curb appeal. Just look at the last seven years: Clemson-Tennessee, Florida-Miami, LSU-Miami, Georgia-Virginia Tech, Auburn-Clemson, LSU-Georgia Tech and tonight: Virginia Tech-Tennessee.
I’ve seen the economic impact reports and claims that this game brings $33 million into the area. Honestly, I don’t hang out with economists and I have no idea what those numbers mean. But seeing “Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee” provides enough clarity.
Virginia Tech (9-3) is ranked 11th in the BCS standings. The Hokies would be a lot higher if they could figure out how to win a game in Atlanta. They lost their season opener to Alabama in the Georgia Dome, won their next five, then lost at Georgia Tech.
Tennessee (7-5) is looking for its first bowl win under Lane Kiffin. This game is a bonus for him, win or lose, since he spent most of the buildup to this season as a punchline and the NCAA is investigation potential recruiting violations.
I can probably figure out who Georgia fans are pulling for.
Anyway, I’ll be here live blogging during game, so let me know what you think.
Oy. They’re playing Rocky Top. I’m outta here.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
596 comments Add your comment
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Hell the Dawgs lost to Kentucky and Tennessee. So what.
All that matters is they beat the ACC Champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
30 – 24, glad it still hurts so bad.
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Way to represent the SEC, UT!! HA
CatsFly
December 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Truth, is VaTech the 2d best team in ACC? Or is it one of the good teams. UNC beat VaTech as their place. Just maybe there are some other good teams in the ACC. Pitt (highly ranked) was only team outside of ACC to beat UNC. And they did it in last minute when UNC jumped off sides when Pitt had to kick a 47 yd field goal to win.
Monte Kiffin
December 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Hey Mark, You still need a DC.
uberVU - social comments
December 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by JeffSchultzAJC: We’re blogging LIVE from Chick-fil-A Bowl (Tennesee-Virginia Tech). Can VaTech (0-2) win a game in Atlanta this year. http://bit.ly/5MLnRv…
ACC domination
December 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
Bout time them sec nuggets shut the duck fup
VT is moving the ball on Tennessee
December 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
They have split screens on Tennessee coaches. They look like they are thinking “I didn’t think an ACC college could kick our butts like they way we are getting it tonight.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
Tennessee is unhappy with their mascot and they’ve offered me a job for next season. The contract is being drawn and will specify no a$$ painting.
south
December 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
Russ, I was responding to Snapshots idiotic comment about TN beating UGA to prove a point that it doesn’t mean Va Tech would beat UGA or that TN would beat Ga Tech
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:44 pm
I hope Kittens so called verbal recruits in the ATL got a good look at this game tonight!!!
Way to go UT!!!
CatsFly
December 31st, 2009
10:44 pm
The SEC is overrated. There are good teams in the SEC, but not better than those in the ACC. Fact you!
VT is moving the ball on Tennessee
December 31st, 2009
10:44 pm
Funny the only team that really shut up Lame Kitten this year was Virginia Tech.
ATLVOL
December 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
I think I would be more upset without this buzz…………Geez thanks Vols!!!! At least the Men Vols beat Memphis today!!!
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
Russ, make sure they don’t try to sneak it in as ‘anal bleaching’.
sc dawg
December 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
Get all you can Russ, YOU deserve it!!!!!!! VT looks pretty darn good, why weren’t they in title game . . . surely they are better than the gnats or Clemson!!!!!!!!!!!
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
Congrats VT!
“Happy New Year to all college Football Fans!” I’m beginning to get sleepy. Screw the party in the other room. I’m going to bed. Be safe Guys and Girls.
Jeff, be a friend to Lame Kiffin and give his wife a ride back to the hotel. She will need to be tucked in tonite. Okay?
Pi$$onaDawg
December 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
45ACP you can live all year on that 30-24 because it is all your season had. HAHAHA. You Drinking and waiting on Midnight? Hope you and Cuz have a blessed new year.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:45 pm
south, you didn’t ruin our season. It was only a blip. I won’t even be thinking about the mutts when I am enjoying the sun in Miami next week. Hope you have a good heater in your double-wide. It’s going to be cold up here
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
TN is putrid !! Va Tech’s backs all look like Jim Brown and there must be at least 6 of them. How did this mismatch occur ? A top 20 team against a third rate SEC squad which happens to be one of the better SEC teams. The SEC PR team is going to have to swing into overtime to BS their way past the KY and TN performances. What a disgrace to college football. The fact that most SEC teams go to a bowl game is as dumb as the BCS system. I thought the Chick-Fil- A had advanced to a higher level than this. This game should have been played Sunday morning . Honestly, Montana vs Appelachian State was a much better game than this.
south
December 31st, 2009
10:47 pm
Supersize – so you’re the one who bought the the ticket?
CatsFly
December 31st, 2009
10:47 pm
Any fool can see that the ACC is as good as the SEC. Tenn played Bama even. No question – fact. VaTech played Bama close in 1st game. They may be as good as Bama right now.
sc dawg
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
Congrats to the ACC, their best team beat Lame Kitten and his 7-5 vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
That Montana – Ap State game was terrific
woodie
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
Wow !!! VT putting the beat down on TN.
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
You too POAD. Hope everything is good for the next year.
Go Jackets and GO Dawgs. Do Georgia proud.
sc dawg
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
VT is a damn good football team
outsider
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
Am I mistaken, but did U.T. beat U.G.A. this year. Did G. T. beat V. T. Go SEC.
hey Lame !!!.....TAKE THAT B!TCH !!!!
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:48 pm
south, UGA got away with one in Atl. Tech is pretty darn good they handed it to us this year. Can’t wait for them to come north next year.
Buckhead Bulldog
December 31st, 2009
10:49 pm
Whoa there Tom….say what?
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
10:49 pm
UGA lost to both KY and TN ! You’ve got to be kidding. Seriously, UGA needs to consider dropping the sport. Five years ago, I thought they knew something about football. Its sad really. In the last 5 minutes, I’ve heard from several sources that the SEC wants to replace UGA with Clemson. Probably a good idea.
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
SEC teams have won the last four matchups. … Tennessee is 1-3 in Chick-fil-A Bowls and in bowl games played on New Year’s Eve. … Neither Monte Kiffin nor defensive line coach Ed Orgeron reached bowl games in their stints as head coaches. Kiffin coached at NC State from 1980 to 1982 and Orgeron led Ole Miss from 2005 to 2007
Ouch
December 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
VT treated UT worse than Truett Cathy treats chickens.
Bo Williams
December 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
SEC taking it in the drawers in from ACC in bowl games. HaHaHaHaHa….
MDAWG24
December 31st, 2009
10:50 pm
Great showing by Tennessee, way to represent….losers!
cfb fan
December 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
At least the SEC’s still got 7 teams left to play in bowls…can hope for more wins.
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
Congrats to The Virginia Tech Hokies.
You put a beatdown on Tennessee.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
south, even mutt fans would have a hard time going to an out of town game on a work night the week after a holiday weekend, so save that crap. I am retired, so I could care less when it is played. The major bowls all need to go back to New Years Day, with the championship game the following weekend. That way they would all be sold out. As it is, whoever gets stuck with that weeknight game, other than the championship game, is going to suffer from less than optimum ticket sales.
SUCK IT BLUETICK HOUNDS !!!!!
December 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
yall suck !!!!!
south
December 31st, 2009
10:51 pm
outsider – you left 1 out
30-24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GEORGIA OWNS YOU!!!!
Our sorry azz team kicked you in the mouth and shut CPJ up
Ruined you’re season so nobody bought tickets to Miami!!!HAHAHAHAHA
Bo Williams
December 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
I would trade Clemson for UGa. It would help UGa in BB, and more importantly, its academic image would improve. Clemson, it’s just “little Tennessee”.
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
UT, Bye Bye!! Thanks for repping the SEC well
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
Being mascot for the Vols should be a snap after having my a$$ painted by Georgia. I will do a very good job in Tennessee.
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
SOUTH: The fact that UGA did beat Tech does nothing to change the fact that the dawgs are a third rate team. Simple.
Spelling lesson
December 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
I guess you can’t spell I Just Got My A$$ Beat without the U and the T.
south
December 31st, 2009
10:52 pm
Supersize, Tell that to the Iowa fans.
Truth
December 31st, 2009
10:53 pm
This was a good blog until the idiot techies got on and make comments that make no sense!!! Some things never change! The good thing is I can control listening to the idiots!!! BYE!!!!
Atlanta Jacket
December 31st, 2009
10:53 pm
Eat it SEC beaches
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
10:53 pm
And Crompton gets sacked one more time.
Pi$$onaDawg
December 31st, 2009
10:54 pm
THAT was A PERFECT STATMENT on this game.