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
Lame Kitten
December 31st, 2009
9:11 pm
Hey Jeff ,The Vols WILL beat Georgia again in 2010 and sing Rocky Top all night long!.Mark it down!
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:12 pm
how can monte have such a schmuck for a son?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
9:12 pm
Jeff, I still waiting for you to pull an “enter your comments here”
La Jolla Dawg
December 31st, 2009
9:12 pm
no error– Good one!!!
Georgia Man
December 31st, 2009
9:12 pm
South,
I’ll help in the buy out if you can get Willie off of this blog!
south
December 31st, 2009
9:13 pm
Jeff – have you spotted the famous Vol “escort” Lacy?
DAWG A
December 31st, 2009
9:13 pm
South…. I’m in too!!!!!
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
9:13 pm
We need more Rum Nog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:14 pm
thanks Jeff. but i found the game without your help. cant get anything but commercials tho.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
9:15 pm
This is an interesting game!
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:15 pm
is it me or does lou holtz slur more and more?
Big L
December 31st, 2009
9:15 pm
South….I’m in also!
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
9:15 pm
Jeff, what’s the halftime entertainment at the Dome? It’s got to be better than listening to Lou Holtz babble and argue with Mark May.
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:16 pm
south: $525,000. even.
Big Bob 98
December 31st, 2009
9:16 pm
We need to get Willie a job again and get him off this blog!
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
South — no, but we’re meeting for drinks later.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
Coach willie, when did you come up with the name? You’re had some fun remarks on the blog the last three months. Also, when did you feel the “Hot Plate coming?”
Tom
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
I think Rece Davis has been in the Freixenet already.
Poetry slam Part Deux
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
I didn’t want to unleash the fury CWM, but you leave me no choice
Willie was clearly with Custer
Evidenced by no defense to muster
To claim otherwise is no mystery
It’s clearly revisionist history
Of a resume that’s lost all its luster
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
Georgia man. thanks. send it to me care of mike adams. uga. 30602
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
Reid — Bands. They wear funny hats.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
9:17 pm
There you go Jeff! I’m stuck at these party hid in the bedroom! Damn!
south
December 31st, 2009
9:18 pm
Jeff – we’ll pay top $ to block willie from this blog.
His wife called and said he needs to be looking for a job.
Buckhead Bulldog
December 31st, 2009
9:18 pm
willie has been here all year, and I for one, have enjoyed his poetry….where have y’all been?
Yellow Jacket Man
December 31st, 2009
9:19 pm
Now, I can understand why CMR fired Willie.
What a dope!
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:19 pm
not, my firing was a bolt out of the blue. never saw it coming.
south
December 31st, 2009
9:19 pm
Jeff – are you a Vol recruit also?
I am this week.
Poetry slam Part Deux
December 31st, 2009
9:19 pm
Your turn willie. Better bring the heat!
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
9:20 pm
Hey south! I think my wife would pay good money for me to be off the blog tonite!
Big Dawg 97
December 31st, 2009
9:20 pm
Please block Willie!
Hairy Dawg
December 31st, 2009
9:21 pm
Sorry Vols got to give up 3 points for being stinkies as time expiring.
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:21 pm
poet:
i’ve enjoyed your blogs to thus
but now you’re making a fuss
you’ll never be like me
the famous willie
or even a dog named russ
best, willie
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
9:21 pm
You know, I’m really torn between this game and the Burn Notice Marathon.
Tom
December 31st, 2009
9:22 pm
Three Stooges marathon on AMC.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
9:23 pm
Buckhead Dog, I’ve been here. I’m a Jacket, but have a lot of pups friends and Relatives. I’m always decent. Don’t get into the name crap. Overrated.
I started noticing Willie Martinez about mid season. the comments are over the top at times, but I look forward to them. “Damn, I must have a sad life.” LOL!
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:24 pm
Tom, you serious about that?
cfb fan
December 31st, 2009
9:24 pm
Even if they’re playing ‘Rocky Top’ nonstop…still gotta be better than Holtz & company…
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
9:24 pm
You’re right, Jeff. They just showed a clip of Tennessee’s band performance. Those hats are pretty funny.
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:25 pm
Not, thanks. its been a helluva lotta fun. best, willie
Tom
December 31st, 2009
9:25 pm
serious as a Uga VII heart attack
......
December 31st, 2009
9:26 pm
11-2 GEORGIA TECH RULES THIS STATE
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
9:26 pm
Rece Davis just called the Rose Bowl “the most picturesque setting for a bowl game.”
How on Earth can he think the Rose Bowl is a better-looking location than the Georgia Dome?
Seriously?
DAWG A
December 31st, 2009
9:26 pm
It is guys like Willie that turn a “sports” blog into silliness! Willie please leave or others will!
ACE OF HEARTS
December 31st, 2009
9:27 pm
Hello everyone, heres praying everyone has a healthy and happy New Year. Thanks for all the great blogs this year Jeff. I don’t always agree with you but isn’t that the point? Good first half, lets hope it goes down to the last minute.
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:27 pm
is it the curly group or shemp?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
9:27 pm
The other side of my TV screen has spit on it every time Holtz speaks.
south
December 31st, 2009
9:27 pm
Not Disappointed – but you’re wife is?
willie martinez
December 31st, 2009
9:28 pm
curly faded terribly from 1943 on. it is sad to watch episodes from ‘43-45 now.
Freddy
December 31st, 2009
9:28 pm
can someone take the marbles out of Lou Holtz’s mouth please
cfb fan
December 31st, 2009
9:28 pm
I wonder if ESPN will let Craig James be the interviewer for Mike Leach tonight?