Georgia-Boise State game set; UGA cancels two games vs. Louisville (updated)
(Updated 8 p.m.)
Georgia’s football team will open next season in Atlanta against Boise State, which has emerged as an improbable powerhouse in recent years.
The Bulldogs and Broncos will play on Sept. 3 in the Georgia Dome in the fourth annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, event organizers announced Friday. The game will be nationally televised in prime time on ABC or ESPN.
The Georgia-Boise State pairing marks the first time Atlanta’s season-opening event has included a team from inside the state or a team from outside the SEC/ACC footprint.
“It was too good an opportunity to turn down,” Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said.
Arranging the matchup required machinations involving a number of schools. The final contractual obstacles were cleared mid-afternoon Friday, game president Gary Stokan said.
To clear room on its schedule, Georgia canceled a contract with Louisville that had called for games against the Cardinals in 2011 (in Athens) and 2012 (in Louisville). The Chick-fil-A Game will pay Louisville $600,000 to buy out the contract with Georgia, Stokan said. North Carolina agreed to replace UGA on Louisville’s schedule in 2011 and 2012.
Boise State also had to alter its schedule to accommodate the game. The Broncos had been scheduled to open next season at Ole Miss, but the Boise State-Ole Miss game will be pushed back to 2014, when it will be played in the Georgia Dome as one of two “Kickoff” games that year. Alabama will face a team yet to be determined in the other 2014 game, Stokan said. BYU agreed to replace Boise State on Ole Miss’ 2011 schedule.
ESPN was instrumental, Stokan said, in finding ways to make the pieces fit.
In the end, Georgia traded home-and-home games against Louisville -– a series that did not fit McGarity’s scheduling philosophy – for a high-profile, close-to-home matchup against Boise State.
“We felt like it was important that we be on the national stage,” McGarity said. “We felt it would bring a level of excitement that we really need in our program.”
McGarity noted that the arrangement leaves Georgia with six games in Athens in 2011 but will allow a seventh home game to be added in 2012. He said Georgia is close to a deal with a non-BCS opponent, which he would not name, to play in Athens on the 2012 date that the Bulldogs previously were scheduled to be in Louisville.
Louisville said in a news release that Georgia’s decision came “much to the dismay of the Cardinals.”
“While we certainly would have preferred to keep the series with Georgia, we are pleased to open up the season next year at North Carolina and look forward to hosting them … in 2012,” Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said in the release. “We were thrilled when we secured a series with Georgia five years ago. We were approached to mutually agree to cancel this series, but we declined. Georgia exercised their option to cancel our series.”
The three previous Chick-fil-A Kickoff games matched an SEC team vs. an ACC team: Alabama vs. Clemson in 2008, Alabama vs. Virginia Tech in 2009 and LSU vs. North Carolina this year.
Boise State brings “a nationally known brand” to the game, Stokan said. The Broncos, ranked No. 3 in this week’s Associated Press poll, carried a 9-0 record and a 23-game winning streak into Friday night’s game against Fresno State.
The Georgia-Boise State game will change the dynamics of the 72,000-seat Georgia Dome for the event. While tickets were evenly distributed between the teams in the previous three Kickoff games, the planned allocation for this matchup is 7,500 tickets to Boise State and the rest of the available seats to Georgia, Stokan said.
Georgia will receive about $1.7 million and Boise State about $1.4 million for playing in the game, Stokan said.
As previously announced, N.C. State will face Tennessee and Auburn will play Clemson in two 2012 “Kickoff” games at the Dome.
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473 comments Add your comment
MURPHY
November 19th, 2010
4:15 pm
9 Months of bickering with the Blue Turf Meanies. Gotta Love It!
nerds! nerds! nerds!
November 19th, 2010
4:16 pm
I got your ticket Army Chaplain! God Bless and Go Dawgs!
puppydawg
November 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
Boise Dawg, thanks for the update. I could have sworn that I heard that Moore was leaving early. Has he already said that he’s coming back?
Boise Dawg
November 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
Murphy, the Boise State fans I know are great… very humble and realistic about their program. They don’t have much love for Georgia though, after 2005 they have been waiting a long 5 years for this game.
JT Todd
November 19th, 2010
4:18 pm
HOW DOES THE BCS FIND BOISE STATE TO BE ‘NATIONAL CHAMPS’ IF THEY BEAT GEORGIA- A 5-5 TEAM? GEORGIA SUCKS!
UGA gonna get killed
November 19th, 2010
4:19 pm
0-1 is how UGA will start next season.
Boise Dawg
November 19th, 2010
4:19 pm
Puppydawg.. Moore is only a junior and probably not NFL material. He may get drafted after his senior year and might have the potential to be another Drew Brees, but as of now… he is viewed by the NFL as too short and not athletic enough.
Denver Dog
November 19th, 2010
4:20 pm
Shades of the 09 season: Kick off the season playing a real team and LOSE. it’s going to be
UGA ly
nerds! nerds! nerds!
November 19th, 2010
4:20 pm
Also being announced today: 2012 matchup between GT and Camden County
Bill Madden
November 19th, 2010
4:20 pm
RIGHT JT! NOBODY WHO BEATS A 5-5 DEAD HORSE CAN BE MADE NATIONAL CHAMP! SHAME ON BCS AND BOISE STATE FOR CHOOSING A POWDER PUFF UGA TEAM, WHO LOST TO EVERYONE HIS YEAR!
Jim
November 19th, 2010
4:21 pm
As a UGA fan, I guess I am missing the “upside” here for us. If we win, the response will be ,”of course, an SEC team beat them”. No big deal. If we lose, then we lost to an supposed inferior conference. Not sure how UGA comes out on top either way.
MyPatooti
November 19th, 2010
4:22 pm
I say paint the grass red and show them how it feels. Hard to even watch a game on that blue field.
Christian
November 19th, 2010
4:22 pm
The school I went to (BSU) vs. the state I grew up and team I’ve loved since birth.(GA)…will have some divided loyalties for this one!
what will dog fans do?
November 19th, 2010
4:22 pm
Camden County, formally known as the Ga Bulldogs, who after 2 losing seasons in a row withdrew from college athletics.
Headley Lamar
November 19th, 2010
4:23 pm
Last time we played Boise St they were supposed to be hot stuff 2. Heard all week how they were going to beat us. We couldn’t stop them blah blah blah.
Well that one didn’t turn out too good for Boise St.
nerds! nerds! nerds!
November 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
i agree jim. Unless BSU wins the nc this year
Boise Dawg
November 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
Christian… I know exactly how you feel. I am definitely a Dawg, but I have really adopted the Broncos since moving to Boise. It is going to be difficult to root against them this time.
ClantonDawg
November 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
I like it. Should be a statement game saying that the DAWGS are back but we’ve got to win! When we do it will put us in a better position nationally than if we beat Lville. Pressure’s on CMR! Coach’em up and lets get this thing turned around! Hunker Down Baby!!!
RealDawg
November 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
I said its great to be a tater hater.
Steve
November 19th, 2010
4:25 pm
Big opening weekend for SEC football next season — UGA v. Boise State and LSU v. Oregon ( in Dallas). Let’s hope both SEC teams show up.
puppydawg
November 19th, 2010
4:25 pm
what will dog fans do?, you’re so witty. What’s next, “I know you are but what am I?”
Let's Talk About UGA!
November 19th, 2010
4:26 pm
DawgNation,
I was just about to jump off a bridge when I realized that MY DAWGS need me screaming and puking at the GA Dome next year!
It’s great to be a Dawg fan! Without UGA football, I would have nothing.
I’ve got my red panties on and I’m about to watch some Herschel Walker footage.
I need a ‘man hug.’
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Boise Dawg
November 19th, 2010
4:26 pm
Jim, bigger upside for UGA than there is for BSU… also a bigger downside for BSU. At least Georgia could recover from an early loss by winning the SEC East. If BSU loses, everyone will call them a fraud.
Dawggie
November 19th, 2010
4:27 pm
As I recall, things went pretty well the last time we played BS
UGA is a Joke
November 19th, 2010
4:28 pm
Boise will have some key players returning, but also have some key players graduating. This will not be the same team as this year. UGA will defeat Boise in the dome, and UGA fans will think they are hot $hit again, and then finish 3rd in the SEC East.
extrapoint
November 19th, 2010
4:28 pm
South Carolina will love this. They know we’ll be so focus on beating Boise State thoughout the summmer and fall, we won’t have much for them. A no win situation for the Dawgs. If we lose, another tail spin will be in order. Why didn’t Florida every schedule a game like this when McGarity was their AD. Because an undefeated team has a much better chance of winning the National title. Hope our receiver coach, we do have one don’t we, since development of wr talent on this team is awful. (Green doesn’t count), will have someone for Murray to throw too.
J
November 19th, 2010
4:28 pm
Funny how Boise is also playing Ole Miss in their opening game.
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/22250/boise-state-open-2011-against-ole-miss
nerds! nerds! nerds!
November 19th, 2010
4:29 pm
Like it or not, 2011 is Richt’s make or break season. I am a realist and a college football fan… especially the sec and the dawgs. My belief is that Richt can stay as long as he wants. Everyone has down years… and what coaches out there looking for a job are better than Richt?
jack bull
November 19th, 2010
4:29 pm
like i said last night, 6 homes games, 2 in atlanta, one in Jax…i like it…
RealDawg
November 19th, 2010
4:29 pm
Sucks because we do lose a home game though.
Ty
November 19th, 2010
4:30 pm
I love all the tech fans on here making fun of the game. Y’all know that you are so jealous of UGA getting a top notch game. The Nerd Herd is never a consideration for any type of game because of it’s football team and fans because they stink.
You will never be asked to play in this game because they want teams that will attrack the regional audience along with the national audience.
The Nerds couldn’t attrack flies!
GO DAWGS!
Boobie Bowden
November 19th, 2010
4:30 pm
dawgs this ain’t Spud U. It could get ugly early.
superDawg
November 19th, 2010
4:31 pm
Who turned up the heat? I guess I will bring out my new britches for this one.AJ we need you brother and bring Houston with you please.
Dale
November 19th, 2010
4:31 pm
Georgia may not be afraid to schedule Boise, but I’m afraid to watch.
Aldo Raine
November 19th, 2010
4:33 pm
Didn’t we do this in 05?
GTFan
November 19th, 2010
4:34 pm
Should be an interesting game, but Boise will take it with no problems!
BlueDawgs
November 19th, 2010
4:34 pm
Gives thUGA’s an entire year to come up with some ready made excuses
[_] Foul! They practice on a blue field that gives them some kind of magical powers.
[_] Excuse # 2 (Something about the reffs…. TBA)
[_] Excuse # 3 (Something about the weather…. TBA)
[_] Excuse # 4 (Something about the coaching…. TBA)
And with the usual whining and belly-aching thrown in.
Ad nauseum…
ClantonDawg
November 19th, 2010
4:34 pm
Boobie Bowden….it prob will and BS will wish they never accepted the invitation. Dawgs might roll big in this one!!
Ty
November 19th, 2010
4:34 pm
I hear that tech scheduled Agnus Scott for their opener at Panther Stadium! Radio refused to cover it though because they will not be able to sell it out! Also because of the pre-scheduled cooking show!
Burdell
November 19th, 2010
4:35 pm
Ty— Chick-fil-a wanted an ACC/Pac-10 matchup for the 2011 game. Tech agreed to play UCLA but UCLA backed out during negotiations last year.
But don’t let facts get in the way of your thinking.
GTFan
November 19th, 2010
4:35 pm
Ty
November 19th, 2010
4:30 pm
I love all the tech fans on here making fun of the game. Y’all know that you are so jealous of UGA getting a top notch game. The Nerd Herd is never a consideration for any type of game because of it’s football team and fans because they stink.
You will never be asked to play in this game because they want teams that will attrack the regional audience along with the national audience.
The Nerds couldn’t attrack flies!
GO DAWGS!
Jealous?? LOL, that’s funny!!! Are fans stink? Yea, that’s why half the UGA sidewalk alums are ready to give up on their team!!!
UGA Alumnus
November 19th, 2010
4:36 pm
@Ginger
November 19th, 2010
4:00 pm
“The blowout beatdown of the century. Boise State 70, Georgia 10.”
I don’t get you people. UGA is not guaranteed a win but why can’t you get it through your thick skulls that the Dawgs can score? Look at this season. The Dawgs can and will put up points. And there is no way in hell Boise State puts up 70. Maybe 30.
Fan-attic
November 19th, 2010
4:36 pm
Georgia trades Louisville for Boise? They have just gone from 1-0 to 0-1 before kick-off!!!
This is a cupcake game……………..for Boise.
Reality Stinks
November 19th, 2010
4:36 pm
Boobie Bowden
Give me a break
UGA played the same Boise St team a few yrs ago that beat OK in the fiesta bowl and gave them a beat down
meh
November 19th, 2010
4:36 pm
should be a good game. Go Dawgs!
Doyle Rainey lives
November 19th, 2010
4:37 pm
Great. We needed a top quality oppt. to start Richt’s final season with. The seat should be burning after we get torched by Boise.
Happy Daze.
November 19th, 2010
4:37 pm
Personal Foul Penalties and Unsportsmanlike conduct Penalties against top 25 BCS ranked teams:
How Teams in Current BCS Standings Rank
Oregon, 21
Auburn, 20
Florida State, 19
Oklahoma State, 19
Nebraska, 18
Michigan State, 17
Missouri, 17
Texas A&M, 17
Boise State, 16
Oklahoma, 15
Arkansas, 14
Miami, 14
LSU, 12
Mississippi State, 12
Virginia Tech, 12
Alabama, 11
Nevada, 11
Ohio State, 11
Arizona, 10
Stanford, 10
TCU, 10
Wisconsin, 10
Utah, 9
Iowa, 6
South Carolina, 5
The schools with the most Personal Fouls and Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalties:
Southern Mississippi, 27 (7-3)
Arizona State, 26 (4-6)
Illinois, 26 (5-5)
Washington State, 25 (4-4)
Maryland, 24 (7-3)
Texas Tech, 24 (5-5)
Baylor, 23 (7-4)
East Carolina, 22 (6-4)
Georgia, 22 (5-6)
Idaho, 22 (4-6)
UNLV, 22 (2-8)
Billy Jack DAWG
November 19th, 2010
4:37 pm
when you are down all the power house teams wants to play you. go dawgs
Ty
November 19th, 2010
4:37 pm
GTFan
Your as jealous as they come fool. Why are you on a UGA blog? You hate it and you know it! Now, go back to your own sorry blog. UGA will give you a taste of what they will do to BSU in the way they treat the Nerd Herd on the 27th. Going down….. agian!
jimmymack
November 19th, 2010
4:38 pm
smart recruiting tool rather us than another team from a bordering state