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
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
December 31st, 2009
10:28 pm
The Vols have run 51 offensive plays so far. They gained 107 yards on three pass plays … and have averaged 2.125 yards on the remaining 48 plays!
southern star
December 31st, 2009
10:28 pm
notice how bud foster dialed up a corner blitz to stop the play acton role out…… that is something that WM never did when we were getting torched by that play
BuckCommander
December 31st, 2009
10:28 pm
Looks like the Pimp Kitten is getting Pimped Out tonight.
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
Good job, Vols defense. 3rd & 1 … and VT runs up the middle for 13 yards.
south
December 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
Yes, TN beat the mutts, who beat GA Tech, who beat VA Tech
So What?
Just have to ask
December 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
At this very moment, with New Year’s approaching, who do you think is happier, the average blogger on here, or Tiger Woods?
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:29 pm
looks like this one is almost over?
south
December 31st, 2009
10:30 pm
Tiger
VT is moving the ball on Tennessee
December 31st, 2009
10:31 pm
like they just might have beaten Bama too tonight.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
December 31st, 2009
10:31 pm
Looks like VPI will finish the season 1-2 in Atlanta.
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
10:31 pm
And when VT has to pass on 3rd & 6, they complete it for a 30-yard gain.
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:31 pm
trying to strip the ball cost TN 5 more yda
45ACP
December 31st, 2009
10:31 pm
Tiger Woods dude. Millions of dollars eases a lot of pain.
oh shut up
December 31st, 2009
10:32 pm
smooth.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:32 pm
Made a fool out of Eric Berry on that run. lol
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:32 pm
TD VT
VT is moving the ball on Tennessee
December 31st, 2009
10:32 pm
This ought to shut up the S shE C folks for a night anyway.
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
10:33 pm
Thanks for playing, Tennessee. Hopefully they have some Chik-Fil-A sandwiches for you as a consolation prize.
oh shut up
December 31st, 2009
10:33 pm
ok, its time to drink and shoot fireworks. this party on tv is over.
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:33 pm
Hey……is that my old Saab?
BuckCommander
December 31st, 2009
10:34 pm
Ole Kiffins butt will look like Russ the mascots in the morning, only his will be red and swollen instead of painted white. Must be rough having to take one instead of giving one.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:34 pm
OK, ACC 2 – SEC 0, and yet all I’ve read on these blogs all year is how top to bottom, the SEC is better than the ACC.
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:35 pm
And all over East Tennessee they’re heading to Golden Pantry for tamales.
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:35 pm
what ya bet VT is top 10 in the final ap ?
snapshot
December 31st, 2009
10:35 pm
Let see here, Georgia Tech beats Virginia Tech, who beats Tennessee, who beat the crap out of the mutts=mutts beating Tech a big fluke. Happy New Year!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
Should be, Go Chickens…..Just GT is there too. Beat the Hawkeyes !!!!
bad brad
December 31st, 2009
10:36 pm
For 2010 Jeff, make all of us happy and take the buyout. Terrence did and you can too.
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
another sec beat down…..oops
that williams kid from VT
December 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
has TREMENDOUS talent… he can go for the heisman considering that he’ll likely face Wake, Duke, UVA, NC State and Maryland next year
Just have to ask
December 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
I’m thinking Mr. Eldrick might be looking at the Chik-Fil-A bowl this very moment and wondering where it all went wrong. He can’t afford to take a chance on having a date tonight, and Ms 7 Iron is probably halfway across the world.
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
Wow, I bet Chick fil a is glad they chose Tenn., Huh!!
Way to represent Lame Kitten and his fans!!! Ya’ll just got CREAMED!!!!!
Go Chickens
December 31st, 2009
10:37 pm
when it rains it pours
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
snapshot, don’t you know according to the mutts, it’s only a fluke when Tech wins. They think when they win, no matter by how few points, it’s a statement.
Reid Adair
December 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Oh no. Crompton gets sacked, fumbles and Virginia Tech recovers inside the UT 15.
cnamos
December 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Two ACC/SEC bowls. Two decisive victories for the ACC. And guess what dumb dawgs – both of those SEC teams embarassed you. And 3-17 against us Gators – YOU SUCK!
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
“VT nails the coffin!” Hokie Ball begins………………………….
UT is an embarrassment to the SEC
December 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
go back to the mountains with your recruiting wh*res
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:38 pm
Against an ACC team that got whooped by Ga Tech!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Ya’ll UT fans are getting what you DESERVE!!!
Truth
December 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
VT is moving the ball! How does the 2nd best team in the ACC beating the 5th best team in the SEC shut up anything! That has to be the dumbest thing said yet! Think before you talk!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
I’m sure they are glad they chose UT, after all, UT brought a ton of fans, and that means a ton of dollars.
CatsFly
December 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
So, UNC’s defense is easy? You don’t deserve to have a voice. ACC as good as SEC. I remember how VaTech played Bama close at beginning of season. Is Fl better than VaTech and GaTech? It’s debateable.
Russ
December 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
south – so what? So it means that one game out of a season does not mean anything.
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
Buckhead Dawg thanks for the info on Megan. She’s still good in a pinch don’t you think? Oy!
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
UT trainers apparently left the bottles of SEC speed in Knoxville.
Buckhead Bulldog
December 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
Does UT have any potential recruits from Atl there tonight? Maybe, Lane can take them on a night time heli ride to watch the Peach drop.
Pi$$onaDawg
December 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
Glad the ACC is wining this game. GTECH needs to beat IOWA and I can live with that for the ACC bowl record.
south
December 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Snapshot & Supersize -
sorry our sorry 7-5 team ruined your season.
GEORGIA OWNS YOU!!!!!
Future Matchups
December 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Will South Carolina ever be invited to the Chick-Fil-A bowl? Wouldn’t that lead to some awkward moments if the Chick-Fil-A mascot and the South Carolina mascot had to make a joint appearance?
PO'd (2 years running) Bulldawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Jeff,
Alright now!! You have had 3 STRAIGHT(or consecutive as you journalists would say) Negative articles about UGA and CMR…
Now it’s your turn to write about UT’s BUTT whooping tonight and how Sorry Lame Kittens team played tonight(and their Defense was HORRIBLE!!!
Only difference is, you will be writing the TRUTH about UT and Kitten, cause they really stunk up the ATL tonight!
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:41 pm
Lance Thompson asking Monte if he can stay out late.