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.
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596 comments Add your comment
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:54 pm
BTW, that was a great game by Va Tech!!! Ya’ll really MANHANDLED the Vols! Great Defense!! Good game Beamer. You are a great coach, just wish ya’ll would’ve beat Tech like we did!
cnamos
December 31st, 2009
10:54 pm
Nice – the team that humiliated UGA is humiliated by an ACC team. Suck it dawgs.
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
Dorian Porch. Going out on a limb and guessing he and Ludlow ain’t cousins.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
POAD, 45ACP & CUZ Happy New Year! I look forward to continuing with you guys next year!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
The mutts are totally irrelevant nationally and within the SEC, and not only the SEC, they are irrelevant in the SEC east. A 6-point win over Tech, which could have evaporated at the end if Nesbitt had been on target passing, is hardly a beatdown, and St Mark definitely did not outcoach CPJ. The better team that night won, but Tech is still going to Miami, and so am I.
south
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
Wreckmaniac – so what does that say about Tech – can’t beat a third rate SEC team? This year, I agree, GA was not a good team
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
And that’s it. Game over.
Jeff, enjoy the rest of your New Year’s Eve.
SACK THAT Urnge Puke again... YEAHHH !!!!!
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
LOL
Saying VT is the best ACC team is
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
like saying Florida or LSU was the best SEC team.
They lost 2 ACC games and so did not get in the championship game.
One division was stronger than the other: GT, Miami and VT.
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
I’ve never seen a TN team take this kind of punishment. The SEC has taken a huge step back because of this one game. I now think Texas will trounce AL and thats after I had given Texas and 15. Did Monty Kiffen die ?
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
If a third rate team beats your (insert rating here) team, what does that make your team?
Career advice to Russ
December 31st, 2009
10:55 pm
Just don’t go to Boise State Russ God knows what body part they may ask you to paint to match the color of their Field Turf.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:56 pm
south, Iowa hasn’t sold out their allotment either. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it
outsider
December 31st, 2009
10:56 pm
Hey south, go back to your double wide. You never went to college nor did you play the game. All said and done you lost to a sorry Tennessee team. Where was your final rank? Is it still in the top 50?
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:56 pm
We are allowed to have ONE off year every 9 years or so…When is the last time Tenn. had a 10 win season OR an SEC title?
Thought so. Now shutup and enjoy the NEW YEAR
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:57 pm
WE OWN THE SEC !!!!!
SEC Rules
December 31st, 2009
10:57 pm
Did you see my hero Lame brush off Beamer? The SEC showed them!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:57 pm
I hope the hell Texas beats Bama. For one reason, it would be another SEC loss, and for another Ingram should never have won the Heismann
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:58 pm
If a third rate team beats your (insert rating here) team, what does that make your team?
Normal. That’s why they play the games (or so they say).
Have a safe and happy New Year, 45!
Way to represent the SEC .....
December 31st, 2009
10:58 pm
Orange Puke retards………… Ya’ll ((((((((SUCK)))))))
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
10:58 pm
How did UGA miss Tyrod Taylor ? I thought all top tier QBs had to go to UGA ?
Lane the helicopter recruiter
December 31st, 2009
10:58 pm
Eat it chick bowl officials thats what you get for picking a mediocre UT team.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:59 pm
POAD, I don’t remember when UT’s last 10-win season was, but they did win the national championship a few years back, and that was a long time since UGAG won theirs
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:59 pm
Guess What???????
UT had a NET total of 5 YARDS RUSHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Crompton got sacked for – 15 YARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
11:00 pm
POd;, that last post I made was to you, not POAD. And is that stat you just posted correct? Only 5 yards net rushing for UT? WOW
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
11:01 pm
Its obvious for the umpteeth time why CMR camped out in Blacksburg the last half of the season instead of coaching. Foster runs a defense that few teams rarely achieve. The only thing that Va Tech did’nt do tonight that they usually do is block a punt or field goal. Overall, the SEC went to school tonight.
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
11:01 pm
A FEW years back???
Are you JOKING?
It was 11 freaking YEARS AGO!!! That is like me talking about the Bulldawgs winning one 20 plus years ago!!!
Just go get drunk dude!!! Sounds like you need it!!!
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
11:02 pm
Yes, the Stat is correct…Just look at the box score…Now leave me the F alone.. Go away
Best they could do
December 31st, 2009
11:02 pm
No disrespect but why is a NFL lineman calling this jump? Doesn’t it look pathetic to try to tie in the adrenaline angle to make Wiley look relevant?
Billy
December 31st, 2009
11:02 pm
Layne Kiffin is an embarrasment to the SEC. What a disgraceful exhibition right on up to congratulating the opposing coach!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
11:02 pm
Well, PO’d, how many years has it been since UGAG won a national championship? Would that be THIRTY YEARS NOW??? I think 11 beats 30 anytime.
Supersize this order IDIOT !!!.....31-24
December 31st, 2009
11:03 pm
THW THEM MAGGOT’S !!!!!
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
11:03 pm
Gotta go!!! UT, You SUCK!!!
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
11:04 pm
Will we have to watch any more SEC teams this bowl season ? Please tell me no.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
11:04 pm
IDIOT, if you’re going to try to rub something in which really doesn’t matter in the long term, it was 30-24, not 31-24.
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
11:04 pm
Tom – Good post. I strive to achieve nomality on a daily basis.
Everyone have a great, safe and happy New Year!
No matter what team you like.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
11:05 pm
well, PO, we DO agree on one thing. UT does suck. But this year UGAG sucked more, since they lost to UT
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
11:05 pm
No wonder Pope Urban is taking a year off. He’s like Spurrier was 10 years ago. He wants out of the SEC.
outsider
December 31st, 2009
11:05 pm
Hey South, how far south are you? Sounds like you may be below the gnat line in Macon. Have you ever been to a UGA game?
Supersize me 8 of 9 B!TCH !!!!!
December 31st, 2009
11:05 pm
Loooooooooooooser !!!!
St. Simon's Daddy
December 31st, 2009
11:07 pm
Just wanted to remind the nerds that UGA is state champions. 30-24 Did anyone notice that Kiffin did not say a word to Beamer at the end of the game. Shook his hand and never stopped walking. What a low class jerk. I think most SEC fans pulled for VA TECH because we all hate Kiffin.
Russ
December 31st, 2009
11:07 pm
Good game.
Happy New Year.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
11:07 pm
IDIOT and B! TCH !!!! (both the same, I am sure), I hope you stay warm in your double-wide next week, while I am enjoying the sun and surf in Miami.
flagboy?
December 31st, 2009
11:08 pm
just in for a second before heading out for festivities. . .
i heard Lane made an ass out of himself yet again. .. .someone please fill me in.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
11:09 pm
Daddy, just wanted to remind you that FSU was state champion of Florida the year Florida beat them in what was then the game for the national championship. All that says is that state championships don’t mean squat.
outsider
December 31st, 2009
11:09 pm
St. Simon’s you are right on. This guy has a loose screw, and the personality of a snail.
vuduchld
December 31st, 2009
11:10 pm
Ok SEC, you’re 0-2 aganist the ACC in bowl games and it’s sbout to get worse. It’s not a lock that S. Carolina, Florida or LSU will win those games coming up and ‘Bama better have all their ducks in a row when they play Texas. The opposing teams are alot more competitive than advertised. If the ACC is so bad why is UGA trying to snatch Bud Foster from VT? Yes, the ACC started off slow, it has always been that way. The SEC’s run has come to an end, this conference will be a medicore one next year. ACC ALL THE WAY!!
Wreckmaniac
December 31st, 2009
11:10 pm
Thankfully, like the Nazi invasion of Poland, this game finally ended.
Buckhead Bulldog
December 31st, 2009
11:11 pm
Well, this blog sure is getting nasty with the booze flowing. Happy New Year to all.
Good luck to the Jackets in Miami…bring home a W!
YankeeJacket
December 31st, 2009
11:11 pm
All Cupcake Conference 2 Special Education Conference 0