Collegiate Times

Many in the Hokie nation have unofficially known for some time that the Virginia Tech Football team was headed to Atlanta, Ga. to face the University of Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and the official invitation is one many in the Tech football family are excited about. 

“Everybody on the team is excited to be able to play a great team like Georgia in Atlanta in a great bowl game,” said Tech offensive lineman Brandon Frye.

The bowl is the longest standing Atlantic Coast Conference versus Southeastern Conference bowl match up, one in which the ACC holds an eight to six advantage. 

The ACC vs. SEC match up is one that excites Beamer. 

“It’s a real challenge,” said Beamer.  “I think any time you’re taking on an SEC team you’d better be ready to play, ‘cause those guys are serious in that conference.  But I think we are too in the ACC; I think we’re getting more serious all the time about football in the ACC...Whoever can finish this off has a real good feeling about this football season.” 

The Chick-fil-A bowl is scheduled for 8 p.m. on December 30th, and will be shown nationally on ESPN in an uncontested time slot, something that could help to further Virginia Tech as a brand name in collegiate athletics. 

“It’s kind of like a Thursday night game—you’re the only show in town,” said Weaver.  “That’s the analogy I would draw to out opportunity to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl this year as the only game on at that time and we’re excited about that…To play a quality institution, and a brand name in college football, like the University of Georgia just makes it doubly enthusiastic.”

Being in an uncontested timeslot, the bowl has had two of ESPN’s highest 6 rating ever over the past two games, both of which featured Tech’s Coastal Division rival, the University of Miami Hurricanes. 

“We’re a fan of those (ratings),” Weaver said.  “We’d like to contribute to them.”

The Chick-fil-A Bowl will be played in the Georgia Dome and currently boasts the building’s attendance record for a sporting event; that is all the more impressive considering the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons play in the building and it has hosted the Olympics, Final Fours, SEC Championships and Super Bowls. 

Beamer said that it’s a record he wants to be beaten in this game if bowl officials can find the seats in the Georgia Dome. 

Another aspect of a bowl game in a dome that has the Hokies excited is the perfect 72-degree weather that awaits them for the 8 p.m. kickoff. 

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Tech place kicker Brandon Pace.  “The only other time I kicked in a dome was the Sugar Bowl…With that turf you’re always going to get a good spot (and) a good plant.”

Tech’s Chick-fil-A Bowl entourage is scheduled to arrive in the A-T-L on Christmas Eve.