Live from Tampa: Tech goes for a title in a windy setting
The ACC motto: Nothing says college football like a pirate ship in the end zone. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Tampa — The ACC tried Jacksonville. Didn’t work. Then it tried here. Hasn’t worked. Next year it tries Charlotte. Probably won’t work.
The ACC has this problem. It wants to be seen as a big-time football conference but lives cheek-by-jowl with the big-time football conference. The SEC championship game — the granddaddy of such events, at least in the upper tier of college football — dwarfs all else. Best teams, loudest fans, nicest setting. (Atlanta, Ga., thank you very much.)
The ACC expanded to 12 teams in 2005. Its first title game — between Florida State and Virginia Tech — drew 72,749. Last year’s title game — staged here, in the stadium rigged out with the pirate ship — drew an actual crowd of 27,360. (Nearly twice that many tickets were sold.) Tonight’s game between Georgia Tech and Clemson will do better than that because these schools are much closer to Florida than were Boston College and Virginia Tech, but nobody is predicting a sellout.
Raymond James Stadium has a pirate ship — and it’s a cool pirate ship, I must say — but it also has an inherent drawback: It lacks a roof. And if you’re going to play a football game outdoors in December, even on the Gulf Coast of F-L-A, it would behoove you to control the climate. Especially if your target audience is a conference that isn’t exactly the essence of football fandom. (Basketball is another matter, but the ACC has long been really good in basketball. And most basketball games are staged indoors.)
Just for fun, I checked the weather in Charlotte as of 5 p.m. Saturday — 42 degrees with a 70 percent chance of rain. Bank of America Stadium, the next home for this wayfaring event, is likewise open-air. Ouch, babe.
It had rained for several days here, but the rain ceased this morning. Now it’s just gray and windy. (The Dunedin boat parade was canceled today because of the wind, FYI.) Temperature was 57 degrees at 5 p.m. and was expected to drop into the 40s by the time the ACC anoints its champ. Mercifully, there was only a 10 percent chance of rain.
OK, you’re saying: “This is football, dude, and football is supposed to be played outdoors come Hades or high water!” My reply: The ACC is largely a Southern-based conference. We Southerners aren’t used to sitting and shivering. And if you’re neutral wondering if you should pay money to go watch Tech and Clemson play in Tampa — heck, even if you’re a Tech or Clemson fan — you might feel more inclined to trot out the credit card if you knew you weren’t going to be miserable throughout.
And there’s the ACC’s biggest problem: The only real alternative stadium from Boston to Miami that bears a roof is the one already booked this weekend. The Georgia Dome is exactly what the league needs, but the SEC got there first. And the SEC loves the Dome. And the feeling is mutual.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney suggested Friday that the ACC might pair its title game with the SEC championship in Atlanta, which would make great good sense. Reps from the conferences already oppose one another in both the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic and the bowl formerly known as the Peach, and those games do sellout business. (And Atlanta is, by dint of Tech’s location, technically an ACC city.)
But would the ACC ever want to play alongside Big Brother? Would it want its status as the JV league underscored with a side-by-side comparison? In an ideal world, no. But the first five installments of the ACC title game haven’t been ideal. The event needs a lift. The Dome would supply one. I say try it.
And with that, I’ll open the floor to comments, questions and venue suggestions. I’ll be here until Tech wins — I say the score will be 31-27 — and even if it loses. Join me, won’t you?
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2,008 comments Add your comment
BuzztheKiller
December 5th, 2009
11:58 pm
Cincy has no idea what is coming there way..
AHS
December 5th, 2009
11:58 pm
Do I hear Tech fans preaching class? “Just punch them in the face…………” You may want to start by preaching to your REDNECK COACH! Congrats on the ACC Title.
ORANGE BOWL BOUND
December 5th, 2009
11:59 pm
burgess i agree with that, the defencive cordinator we have sucks really bad….atleast we will get some beef on the defencive line next year….320, 315, 295
Burgess
December 5th, 2009
11:59 pm
Let’s be honest, what does it say about the ACC when 2 very mediocre SEC teams beat the 2 teams that play for the ACC championship ?
Pugnacious Paul
December 5th, 2009
11:59 pm
‘you dawgs ought to get that Klimpson defensive coordinator. He is like ole Erk….. broke his hand before the game to fire up his troops and his defense is like Willies.
ORANGE BOWL BOUND
December 6th, 2009
12:00 am
look goober, we were looking past your sec teams…lets face it, thats the only way yall could have won those games….fact is a fact
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 6th, 2009
12:00 am
SANTAS BELL IS STILL RINGING FOR THE UGA DAWGS THUMPING OF THE YELLOW TICKS 30 – 24 HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAH AND MORE HHAHAHAHAHHAAHHHAHAA SOME MORE HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
Tech Tony
December 6th, 2009
12:00 am
I apologize to many many Dawg fans. I didn’t know so many of them had this much class.
I can admit when I’m wrong. I’m married. I spend 3/4 of the day doing it so I am learned on the subject. I was wrong about many of you.
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:00 am
Mr. Charlie it was the championship of the runner us to the SEC. Think Tech is the number one, runner up to the SEC.
SouthGa
December 6th, 2009
12:01 am
Yeah Gt had a good season 11-2 but you can deny it till you’re yellow in the face but we all know that Georgia game is a big game. if not, Chan would still be there! Yeah GA had an awful year, but beating the ACC champions at home………Priceless.
Hey TexasguyinGa, whats up with that link to that book? is it about a real high school team?
http://www.swarmhornetswarm.com
ORANGE BOWL BOUND
December 6th, 2009
12:01 am
georgia tech played there worst game of the year and uga played there absolute best and we still had a chance to win that game….sad sad day for the sec
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 6th, 2009
12:03 am
NEW FLASH::: YELLOW TICKS LOSS TO UGA DAWGS PREVENTED THEM FORM GOING TO THE BCS CHAMPIONSHIPS HEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHHE. SANTA SAYS HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO AND MORE HOHOHOOHOHOHOHOHOHO EVEN SANTA IS HAPPY HAHAHAHAAHAHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAH FOREVER AND EVER
ORANGE BOWL BOUND
December 6th, 2009
12:03 am
awwwwww uga’s only thing they can talk about is uga beat gt, uga beat gt….man it looks like this game means alot more to you guys then us….get over it guys, your a non factor to us…we look past yall
This Just In
December 6th, 2009
12:03 am
Ieyedjack;
exhausted from the stress, going to unwind. Hopefully all of the fans can remember that both these teams of young men left their hearts on the field tonight. Rag the fans all you want, but these players deserve better.
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:03 am
BCS is happy…at least they get a bogus ranking of 10 to play in their crummy orange bowl. almost had an unranked team….what a joke.
wordy
December 6th, 2009
12:04 am
hi… I’m a Georgia fan that watches my arch rival team’s championship game with the hopes that they lose. Despite that it is holiday season and I could be doing many other things this late at night with my friends or family but I choose to watch the game and blog on AJC to show my contempt against them winning a game that has no significance for me favorite team nor my personal life. Go Dawgs man their win against Tech means my life does not suck.
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:04 am
GT students are ugly and their mother’s dress them funny!
ORANGE BOWL BOUND
December 6th, 2009
12:04 am
nah still going to the bcs game pal….think again redneck…..hahahahahahahahahaha
ORANGE BOWL BOUND
December 6th, 2009
12:05 am
but uga students have sex with there moms and are rednecks
pilgrim
December 6th, 2009
12:05 am
Burgess – It says that the ACC will not get any respect from the SEC. ARE YOU DONE NOW?
go jackets
December 6th, 2009
12:05 am
uga is non relevent guys , get over it
This Just In
December 6th, 2009
12:06 am
ieyedjack;
going to unwind, hopefully all fans will realize these young men gave their all tonight and left their hearts on the field. Rag the fans all you want but both team’s players deserve better.
TDone
December 6th, 2009
12:06 am
Paul Johnson was right. Paul Johnson has been vindicated and it’s only Year #2 under the helm.
Though I wanted to beat Muttland, winning the ACCCG is a bigger deal. I have to admit it.
We got one month to work on the defense.
As for the Muttlanders who think they are the ACC Champs, I offer the following:
1. All those years the Florida lost to FSU before the SEC CG, did that make FSU the SEC Champs in those years?
2. In 2004, Muttland beat Tech in basketball, but Tech went on to play for the National Championship. So the Muttland game was not a big deal at the end.
3. Finally, Tech lost two games this season. Once to Miami and once to Muttland. So if Miami was at home Saturday, like you were, why are you talking trash?
Go Jackets!!!
at the acc championship game...
December 6th, 2009
12:06 am
tonights attendance was 77,714…. 65% were tech fans
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:06 am
but we still had a chance to beat u…lol…what a doofus.
The Duke
December 6th, 2009
12:07 am
Congratulations GA Tech on winning the ACC Championship. I wish The Jackets the best of luck in The Orange Bowl.
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:07 am
ahhh..finally..someone who reverts back to the true ACC…Basketball.
Kim Z' Package
December 6th, 2009
12:08 am
7-5 great year. 11-2 a whole lot better. UGA VII chosae to die over that.
This Just In
December 6th, 2009
12:08 am
Enter your comments here
Go Yellow Jackets
December 6th, 2009
12:08 am
Man what a game tonight, sure wished i could have cought the end of the georgia game…..oohh wait….they didn’t play….hahahahahahahahahahaha
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:08 am
guess they do not have english classes at the trade school…doofus
Burgess
December 6th, 2009
12:09 am
So, I guess for 8 of the last 9 years, Tech has looked past Georgia…..makes perfect sense.
Go Yellow Jackets
December 6th, 2009
12:09 am
lol kim z….thats prob the best one yet
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 6th, 2009
12:09 am
UGA DAWGS BEAT THE YELLOW TICKS AND THE CHUMPS ARE GOING TO THE PUMPKIN BOWL. HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHA AND SOME HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA. SANTA SAYS HOHOHHOOHOHOHOOHOHOOH,HOHOOHOHOHOOHOHO AND MORE HOHOHOOHOHOHOHOOH FOREVER AND EVER,
BS Patrol
December 6th, 2009
12:09 am
Old School,
It’s because Oxbig is responsible for 90% of the posts on this blog under about 50 different names. He is so jealous of Tech’s success he can’t stand it. He’s a dweeb as I have pointed out many times. He lives in his mom’s single wide & has never set foot in Athens. Real doggies don’t claim him anyway.
Go Yellow Jackets
December 6th, 2009
12:10 am
no but i guess the 4 times we won the national championship and the 1 yall won we were not looking past yall
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:10 am
so you LOST to a non-relevent team…does that make u sub -relevent?
Go Yellow Jackets
December 6th, 2009
12:10 am
bs patroil i agree…he is a hater…..lol
AHS
December 6th, 2009
12:11 am
Ga fans thought their defense was bad! Attn: Paul Johnson, WILLIE MARTINEZ IS LOOKING FOR A JOB. HE CAN STOP THE RUN. HE ALREADY LIVES IN GA. YOU MUST HIRE HIM. IT WILL BE A MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENT!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 6th, 2009
12:11 am
NEWS FLASH THE YELLOW TICKS ARE THE CHUMPS OF ASS OF CUP CAKES AND GOING TO THE PUMPKIN BOWL. AND THIS IS ACCURATE REPORTING. HAHHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA AND SOME HAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHA FOREVER AND EVER.
Go Yellow Jackets
December 6th, 2009
12:11 am
no just means a the sun shines on a monkeys ass once in awhile
wordy
December 6th, 2009
12:12 am
way to have no life and blog on your arch rivals blog at midnight during the holidays. Guess football fandom is your only method of self accomplishment.
4nic8ion
December 6th, 2009
12:12 am
congats on your firts bcs game….we will go to our crap bowl where we belong THIS year. but pls do me a favor and actualy attend a game, show your team alil support and travel
Gt gal
December 6th, 2009
12:13 am
hey guys lay off the crack, looking at a ga fan is what crack does to the brain….lmao
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:13 am
no matter what…always 2nd in the state…maybe even third because GSU will soon have a team….buzz buzz buzz
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 6th, 2009
12:13 am
YELLOW TICKS ARE TICKED BY A HATER. HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHHAAHHA AND SOME MORE HAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA FOREVER AND EVER
GTFAN
December 6th, 2009
12:14 am
GEORGIA, run along now little squirt…Your night shift is about to start at McDonalds.
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
December 6th, 2009
12:14 am
wow…she is really funny…or so she thinks.
Gt gal
December 6th, 2009
12:15 am
ok 4nic8ion…we will and we did tonight, there were 44,000 tech people in the stadium…get your facts right….oh yeah!!! georgia tech sold out all there home games this year to. look it up….sure take a trip to your toilet bowl
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
December 6th, 2009
12:15 am
YELLOW TICKS ARE TICKED BY UGA DAWG FAN WITH A CRACK IN HIS BRAIN. HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA MORE HAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAH AND SOME MORE HAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHA