Could the Chick-fil-A Bowl replace the Fiesta in the BCS?
BCS-wise, I'm pretty sure I know how the cow would vote. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
A column back in 2004 prompted the Chick-fil-A Bowl’s president to threaten never to offer this correspondent a game credential again. The threat, never carried through, was a response to this writer’s claim that the game was third-tier — not to say third-rate, I stipulated then and stipulate now — and therefore would not find a place in the BCS rotation, which was due to expand by one.
(My definition of tiers: First were the BCS games themselves; second were the New Year’s Day games [Cotton, Capital One, Outback, et cetera]; third was the Chick-fil-A and its ilk. The Independence Bowl would be 10th-tier.)
But now it’s 2011 and Gary Stokan and I have since actually exchanged something approaching pleasantries, and now I’m posing the question I dismissed back when: Might Atlanta’s bowl actually make the leap to Tier 1?
I ask because the BCS is the process of distancing itself from the Fiesta Bowl, which just jettisoned president John Junker — full disclosure: I’ve met John Junker — due to revelations involving reimbursement to bowl staffers for political contributions. (That’s illegal, FYI.) And if the Fiesta falls completely out of BCS favor, some bowl would have to replace it. Could the Chick-fil-A be that bowl?
Ryan McGee of ESPN The Magazine offers a list of five possibilities. One of the names on the list is the Fiesta itself, coming in at No. 3. (McGee’s take: The Fiesta could still hold its spot.) No. 1 is the Cotton Bowl, which has moved to Jerry Jones’ new stadium. No. 2 is the Capital One, which is played in a nice city (Orlando) but in an ancient stadium. No. 5 is the Outback, which is staged in Tampa and has a pirate ship in the end zone.
No. 4 is the Chick-fil-A Bowl, of which McGee writes:
Anyone who has ever been to the game formerly known as the Peach Bowl knows that its atmosphere is one of the most electric of the entire bowl season. Again, it has plenty of cash, a big league infrastructure, a city that makes its living hosting gigantic events, and an ESPN TV deal. But of all the games listed here, this bowl might be the least interested in messing with its current formula, an SEC versus ACC showdown that has enjoyed 14 consecutive sellouts. Then again, all the factors that I listed above might allow the Chick-fil-A Bowl organizers to keep their current game and add one more, two in the years they host the BCS Championship Game. Hey, the Fiesta Bowl staff has been pulling that off for years.
Here I would add only this: Unless I’ve been completely off in my reading of Stokan and Co. over time, they would be very much interested in moving up to the Big(ger) Time.
Do I think it’s apt to happen? Not really. That game in Arlington and the outsize presence of Mr. Jones would be tough to trump. But as president of the Atlanta Sports Council, Stokan spent years lobbying for big events to come here, and he created the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, which began in 2008 and is already a major deal, from nothing at all. Were a BCS slot to come open, I’m guessing he could find it within himself to make another pitch.
By Mark Bradley
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195 comments Add your comment
The Carnivore
March 30th, 2011
11:54 pm
The Cotton Bowl is obvious. And while the Georgia Dome itself is a fine structure, it is located in a hellish location, which should preclude it from hosting any major bowl game. The entire bowl system needs to be scrapped, by the way.
DezNutz
March 31st, 2011
1:42 am
Bamaguy, without Atlanta, Georgia is Alabama. But without Birmingham, Alabama is Mississippi.
P. Bull Terrier
March 31st, 2011
1:57 am
Mark, you met John Junker? What did he give you? Cash? A cruise? A friendly lady of the evening?
C’mon, man. Junker gave something of value to everyone he ever met. Tell us what you got.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 31st, 2011
6:04 am
Mark: Good points as usual. The Chic-Fil-A bowl has evolved from one that almost failed to the highly successful status it has now. I say this because I remember back when it was played in Fulton County Stadium in mostly terrible weather conditions. One year, when GT played Purdue, Pepper Rodgers wife helped to almost give away tickets to get people to come. Now its a sellout every year.
Thursday’s scandal buffet: Ain’t No Free | Get The Picture
March 31st, 2011
6:36 am
[...] I love the smell of back stage maneuvering in the [...]
Buckeye
March 31st, 2011
7:41 am
Cotton Bowl. New Year’s history and JerryWorld. No contest.
I’d be curious to see the ratings………….
Joe
March 31st, 2011
7:48 am
Why in the world would they put the chick fil as BCS….yes, the bowl is great and well deserving…problem is….it’s in Atlanta home of moron sportswriters like you- yeah- third rate sportswriters that do nothing but bash and stir the pot…..and you wonder why they would not want to come to atlanta???…..nuf said!
Obama in 2002
March 31st, 2011
8:23 am
Toppling Brutal Dictator a ‘Dumb War’
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/obama-2002-toppling-brutal-dictator-dumb
Shug
March 31st, 2011
8:27 am
Right now every writer in every city that has a minor bowl is writing that his city’s bowl has a shot at BCS status. I live in the Wash. DC area and around here, believe it or not, all the sports talk radio stations are opining that the Military Bowl (or whatever it is called) might be the next major bowl. For those who are not familiar with it, the Military Bowl is one year old and is played in the DC area.
The story writes itself.
5150 UOAD
March 31st, 2011
8:35 am
It should have the name changed. It should be The PEACH BOWL brought to you by Chick-fil-A.
Dallas was so impressive with the snow and Ice this year wasn’t it? Dallas didn’t do any better than Atlanta a few years back with a Bad Weather Super Bowl.
The BCS Bowl game should be the first SATURDAY NIGHT after Jan. 1st. All bowl games, but the BCS Championship Game, should be over after Jan. 1st too.
NoleinDC
March 31st, 2011
8:53 am
It should be the chickfila…The SEC and some ACC schools, FSU being one have just a big of following and base as any big 12 school….ACC vs SEC in the BCS would be awesome..
YardDawg
March 31st, 2011
9:26 am
Jerry Jones will get the Cotton Bowl (at his new “palace) added to the BCS rotation to replace the Fiesta.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 31st, 2011
9:32 am
If they build a Chick-Fil-A in West Michigan THEN they will get my vote. Damn fine bowl game, I attended when it was in Fulton Co. stadium and the Goergia Dome, but right now I can go buy Cotton candy down at the grocery store so they get my vote. Now if the chicken sandwhiches are somehow made available? I would campaign for the Chick-Fil-A bowl.
5150 UOAD
March 31st, 2011
9:32 am
Shug you could be correct, but ATLANTA has had a bowl forever. Atl offers some huge advantages over other smaller bowl cities. The economics of Atlanta, MARTA, the Dome, TV stations (atlanta studios and equipment), and the Heart of COLLEGE FOOTBALL should move Atlanta to the top 3 on the list. Washington is to expensive. Atlanta is about to have the new College Football Hall of Fame. Since they play the game on a F..ed up Monday night Atl makes since too. After the game pack your crap hop on MARTA to the airport and BAM you are on your way back home fast and easy.
PMC
March 31st, 2011
10:04 am
This all being said….. why not Vegas?
Excuse to build a new stadium…..
Mike Bobo 17 INT
March 31st, 2011
10:07 am
I actually think Cordele Georgia or Pittsview Alabama is a better location for a national championship game. The food is good, the atmosphere is laid back and there is plenty of parking. Besides, the spaceship at the Mcdonalds in Cordele is always a fan favorite, along with cow chip tossing, cow tipping and pig wrestling.
Rip Van Winkle
March 31st, 2011
10:17 am
Wake up Mark you are in another extended dream! It will move to Jerry World.
Rip Van Winkle
March 31st, 2011
10:18 am
Wake up Bradley, you are in another extended dream.
TweetyBird
March 31st, 2011
10:26 am
Pretty sure this is what Jerry Jones had in mind.
dawg gone
March 31st, 2011
10:33 am
Mark it would be fine in the Dome…except BSC caliber teams would be very hesitant to come play a game within 3 miles or so of the home of the High School Offense they fear contamination!
shankit
March 31st, 2011
10:33 am
bamaguy,
you ever listen to the Paul Fienbaum Sports Channel radio talk show?
Classic yesterday by a Bama call in listener,
“I’m confused why Auburn still has an engineering school,
there ain’t even hardly any trains left.”
The Cotton Bowl is .........
March 31st, 2011
10:35 am
Most on this site are too young to fully grasp the fact that the Cotton Bowl is truly one of college football’s more storied bowl venues. As such, it should rejoin the elites with the new stadium. Without a doubt, the Cotton Bowl is the logical choice for BCS status.
The Chic Fil A is on a roll and will not be left out. They are usually sell outs and that is what it is all about. Historically, it does not come close to the Cotton Bowl ……………. college football is about tradition, albeit $$ traditions. The Cotton has that long standing tradition and their new digs can take it to a new level.
shankit
March 31st, 2011
10:42 am
My favorite Cotton Bowl game is when John A.
Lastinger, Georgia, scored the winning touchdown against
Texas, knocking them out of contention for the NC.
There is a lot of tradition there.
ugaclassof2004
March 31st, 2011
10:52 am
To answer your question: No
The Chic Fil A is historically one of the better non-BCS bowl games, and I wouldn’t want to see the match ups watered down like how most of the BCS games are now( seeing the SEC pummel Big East or Mountain West teams in the Sugar Bowl makes me want to puke! And thanks to Alabama who completely no showed vs. Utah a couple years ago, it looks like we will be treated to more of these “David vs. Goliath” matchups! Hurray!!)
Another thing I like about the Chic Fil A is that it is usually on New Years Eve, which is a GREAT way to ring in the new year! Atlanta gets enough exposure with the SEC title game, which is also better than the vast majority of the BCS match ups! I say don’t mess with the formula.
dawg gone
March 31st, 2011
10:58 am
Hey anyone notice Tony Barnhart is not on the AJC anymore and idea what is up with that?
1eyedJack
March 31st, 2011
11:00 am
They should kick the Rose Bowl out of the BCS. Those guys don’t want to play well with others. Some crappy Big 10/Pac 10 matchups the last few years.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 31st, 2011
11:08 am
shankit, what time is it in Texas? 10-9.
shankit
March 31st, 2011
11:19 am
10-9 is right, Eastern standard.
shankit
March 31st, 2011
11:20 am
Make that South Eastern standard.
Delbert D.
March 31st, 2011
11:22 am
Fiesta or Orange bowl replacement: The Georgia Dome, The Peach Bowl and dump the Chick-fil-A sponsorship.
Daba Daba Doo Dawg
March 31st, 2011
11:33 am
I kinda liked the
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saw yellow fuzz atending a game their last year if you know what I mean!
((((((((((((((((((((( hahahahahahahaha ))))))))))))))))))))))))))
TPNoGa
March 31st, 2011
11:42 am
I could see the Fiesta Bowl on the outs because of the un-PC immigration law. Arizona has battled the PC police many times before (lost a Super Bowl due to MLK Day). With the current scandal, I think the Fiesta is toast and Cotton is in. I have been to Jerry World, it is an amazing stadium, well deserving of a BCS game.
TPNoGa
March 31st, 2011
11:44 am
Hey Daba Doo Doo Dawg, Liberty Bowl ain’t so nice either, well except maybe for UCF…HA HA HA!!
Daba Daba Doo Dawg
March 31st, 2011
11:47 am
TPNoGa
I guess us losing to UCF was like you guys losing to Fresno State in the Emerald Nutcase Bowl a few years back. LOSER!
Daba Daba Doo Dawg
March 31st, 2011
11:49 am
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David Granger
March 31st, 2011
11:50 am
Not gonna happen. Fiesta Bowl will get a good finger-shaking and be put on double secret probation…but they won’t lose BCS status. The way the BCS bowls are now…Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and Rose…is a nice arrangement in being rather evenly divided across the country. (Sorry, Rust Belt…you don’t really count.) Take away the Fiesta and add the Peach Bowl (yeah, yeah, yeah…it’s STILL the Peach Bowl to me), and you’d have three out of four BCS bowls in SEC territory. And that ain’t gonna happen.
TPNoGa
March 31st, 2011
11:52 am
I am a GATOR, who enjoys the annual beatdown of the puppies.
3DawgKnight
March 31st, 2011
11:58 am
Hey Mark, what’s the chance that this whole Fiesta Fiasco is the beginning of the end for the bowl system and will lead to a playoff? If the IRS gets involved in this thing, they will probably expand their investigation and look at the other bowls as well.
Buckeye
March 31st, 2011
12:08 pm
Perhaps the BCS will tag the Liberty Bowl.
Good ‘Cue, SEC schools play in it, Southern hospitality, fine team hotel, Elvis tours…….sounds like a destination!
Delbert D.
March 31st, 2011
12:31 pm
As long as we are stuck with the BCS and their widespread money-grubbing corruption, fans don’t have a chance. I don’t see how the conferences put up with schools losing money to play in bowls (even the non-BCS minor bowls.) Example: The Bowl Committees sock the schools with full-price tickets for the bands to attend. Got to have a playoff to end all of this crapola.
dawg gone
March 31st, 2011
12:35 pm
TPNoGa the time has come for you to experience a little disappointment in your life…
question?
March 31st, 2011
12:37 pm
to the UGA idiot poking fun at a bowl game GT lost in 2007 you do realize UGA lost to UCF last season
dawg gone
March 31st, 2011
12:41 pm
question? but Bug we beat you and have won most of our bowls the last decade…how many bowls has Bug Village won in the last decade?? Do you realize you have won 1 of 10 vs UGA do you?
Derek
March 31st, 2011
1:03 pm
I expect the Cotton Bowl to replace the Fiesta. The Chick-Fil-a Bowl would need to change its name back to the Peach Bowl before its seriously considered.
DRRH
March 31st, 2011
1:05 pm
New BCS bowls:
Rose
Sugar
Cotton (replacing Fiesta)
Peach (replacing Orange)
Big money to be made by adding the Cotton and Peach.
The Chick-fil-A bowl remains untouched, still played on December 31st with SEC vs. ACC.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 31st, 2011
1:15 pm
Yes it has to be a fruit or commodity in order to be a BCS bowl. A BCS bowl cannot be named after small farm animals..
PonGT
March 31st, 2011
1:44 pm
I would love it … it already is one of the most exciting bowl games of the season, which translates into one of the better games each year, unlike those of the current BCS formula and those who play on and after New Year’s day! Go Chick-fil-A!
Navigator
March 31st, 2011
1:46 pm
I’d like to see the Peach/Chic-fil-a bowl become the home of ACC #2 and SEC #2, and as FSU rebounds into the top 10, with VTech and later Miama, plus the times when one of the other schools rise to the top, this would annually put two top 10’s together. Again this only happens with enough money and a move January, both of which aren’t likely to happen.
T3
March 31st, 2011
2:03 pm
I agree with earlier posts about the need to change the name back to the PEACH BOWL.
Are the TOP TIER bowls named for a prodict or service. No.
Bowls named after “preoducts or services” such as:
Capital Oone Bowl
Outback Bowl
R+L Carriers Bowl
Meineke Bowl
Emerald Nut Bowl
All of them really dont have the same “premium” perception
that helps them be perceied as a Top Tier bowl.
Peach Bowl
Gator Bowl
Rose Bowl
Orange Bowl
Tangerine Bowl
All have a stable name and concept. No “sponsor of the week” bowl name.
The Chik-Fil-A bowl would solidly elevate its status if it went back to the “Peach Bowl.”
BTW, any bowl game in the Washngton, DC area should
officially be called the “Toilet Bowl.”
Because thats where our elected officials are sending our tax money.
Boise Dawg
March 31st, 2011
2:13 pm
Given the conference affiliations and how they sort of geographically align with the BCS bowl sites, the Chick-fil-A bowl has no chance of becoming a BCS bowl, unless it would be replacing the Sugar Bowl. Since the Fiesta Bowl has served as the Big 12 bowl game, it seems logical that the Cotton would be the most likely replacement since it is located in Texas.