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
Fosters ale
December 31st, 2009
7:47 pm
How do ya like that defense ya sports writin junkie. How do ya like them dingos gringo?
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
7:48 pm
Nice interception… VaTech had great coverage. Who’s their DC again?
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
7:48 pm
or does anyone other than bettors care?
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
7:49 pm
not yet Jeff. I’m thinking about going for head of the transportation safety administration.
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
7:49 pm
chef, you’re right. and so are taxes
Richt rebuffed yet again; breaking news
December 31st, 2009
7:49 pm
Unconfirmed reports have the lyricist for the group Procol Harum turning down an offer to become Georgia’s defensive coordinator.
Money apparently wasn’t the issue, so much as the lyricist’s refusal to paint his arse before games, as it is already A Whiter Shade Of Pale.
Fosters ale
December 31st, 2009
7:50 pm
Yeah baby! Pass me another one there mate!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
7:50 pm
I don’t like it for the Falcons but I tell ya, ain’t many venues better than the GA. Dome for a bigtime college game.
Fosters ale
December 31st, 2009
7:52 pm
7 points mate. Take that vol man.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
7:52 pm
My man Ray(mond) Glier says VaTech is 7-1 when they score first.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
7:55 pm
Most importantly, I still haven’t spotted Layla Kiffin. Are they showing her on TV?
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
7:57 pm
dont know. apparently richt doesnt either.
Hairy Dawg
December 31st, 2009
7:57 pm
I normally rooting for the SEC to beating the pointy heading ACC teams. But I cant be rooting for that big mouth Lame Kiffins. The Rockie Toppers is so sorry and aint winning no more against Dawgs with Dawgs getting great recruits and winning 2010 SEC. The Hookies will be running ups scores on Oranges Pukes from Vol land. Hookies already took it right down the throats of Vols, and that is because Vols stinks.
Go Dawgs! Vols and ACC stinks! Go Dawgs! Sic Em! Woof Woof Woof!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
7:57 pm
Haven’t seen her yet Jeff. Your wife read this stuff?
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
7:57 pm
is that lane’s mother?
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
7:58 pm
Chef — Sometimes. But she knows I’m a degenerate.
ATLVOL
December 31st, 2009
7:59 pm
Love the sound of Rocky Top!!! Come on Vols….step it up!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
7:59 pm
we’re married to the same… nevermind. Life’s good.
WM options
December 31st, 2009
7:59 pm
I’m not sure why CWM isn’t going back to Cumberland College. If memory serves, his defense set some records when playing Georgia Tech.
Lane the helicopter recruiter
December 31st, 2009
8:01 pm
Lane — Easy. The 7-5 team brings fans.
Which brings us to the next question why would fans be excited over a 7-5 record.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
8:02 pm
FYI Jeff : Hokey cheerleader coming out of commercial was smokin’
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:02 pm
AtlVol — you’d like it here. A lot of orange. But they look like they’ve got their work cut out for them. Hokies look strong.
Richt rebuffed again; breaking news
December 31st, 2009
8:03 pm
Procol Harum? A Whiter Shade Of Pale? Are we reaching, or accurately reflecting how far Richt has been reduced to reaching in his DC search?
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:03 pm
Lane — Because they weren’t expected to be 7-5, or to beat Georgia, or to give Florida a tough game. Say what you want about Kiffin, but he got the fan base excited.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:05 pm
Forget Lane…..Where’s the Milf Ms Kiffin. Now that’s a lady………………. Okay, I will behave.
ATLVOL
December 31st, 2009
8:05 pm
Hairy Dawg…..you can’t stand pulling for the Vols because they own Georgia…….name the sport and we will open can on you most years!!! What makes you think anything will change in 2010……you have had great recruits the last few years and where has that got you???? Love being a Vol in GA!!!! Good Ole Rocky Top…………….ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE!!!!!!!!!
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:05 pm
Don’t forgot Mrs. Kiffin getting the fan support! LOL!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
8:06 pm
just to let you know where CMR stands, Augusta National declinded membership to his first two candidates.
CF Smith
December 31st, 2009
8:07 pm
for all dawg fans using the “logic” that beating tech made them acc champions by default:
did tech re-gain the acc championship when clemson beat kentucky?
did clemson’s win make tech the state champions? or,
will tech become champions of the state when the hokies beat the vols?
i’m just asking.
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
8:08 pm
We will be pulling for the “frosted oranges”.
Did I say that out loud?
CF Smith
December 31st, 2009
8:08 pm
shultz,
please respond
ATLVOL
December 31st, 2009
8:08 pm
Jeff……..I know I would……….I gave 2 tickets away…the rest of the family is there….home with sick kids but missing being the Vol family!! I am hoping we step our game up soon!! Greta stop on the 3rd down!
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:08 pm
That’s funny CF!! LOL!
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:08 pm
What does the crafty Frank Beamer do here? . . .. PUNT???
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:09 pm
Well, that was boring.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
8:09 pm
After the game somebody’s gonna fly a car over something.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:09 pm
CF — I think I have a headache. But pretty funny.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:10 pm
Coach Beamer doesn’t look the best. Dangerous to throw out of the en zone UT!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
8:10 pm
We call that a slow tuesday on 285.
Death Defying stunts
December 31st, 2009
8:12 pm
A car is going to fly over something. It’s the most death defying stunt ever attempted, as Travis Pastrana is going to attempt to fly over a bar graph showing how many points CWM’s defense gave up during his tenure.
Hide the children.
Glen Mason
December 31st, 2009
8:14 pm
Looks like The ACC is gonna be 2 -0 against the SEC in bowls … Ha Ha Ha
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:14 pm
Deaf. I’m ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re nuts dude!
Glen Mason
December 31st, 2009
8:17 pm
I bet the Dawgs are glad they didnt face Clemson or Virginia Tech in a bowl. Those cheesy teams makes those bowl wins look real gaudy.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:17 pm
Wow. Tennessee really this bad?
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:18 pm
It’s sad Jeff! I would rather blog with you guys than attend the party in the other room. My in-laws pushed me to the limit……………. More RumnNog be back in a sec…………….
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
8:20 pm
Howdy 45ACP!
Mick
December 31st, 2009
8:20 pm
Ya know it’s not like the acc has lost to crappy teams. Usc, pitt who’s ranked 18th and wisconsin who’s ranked 22nd. Give us a break. We’ll be 2-3 after we win tonight. And the sec 1-2. And you got some easy games coming up with the mighty northwestern, uconn and e carolina. It’s easy to look good when you play crap. Acc will finish 4-3.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:20 pm
Big play nullified by a facemask –hey Willie, are you sure you’re not coaching this game?
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
8:21 pm
NotDisappointed — I hope you filled your glass before you left the room.
Shawn
December 31st, 2009
8:21 pm
Hey jeff..well they nearly beat alabama. How about this. There is PARITY in college football. Alabama could play VT again right now and lose. We won’t know who the real champion is because there isn’t a playoff.