Aflac Kickoff Game
| Chick-fil-A College Kickoff | |
|---|---|
| File:Chick-fil-a college kickoff.PNG | |
| Stadium | Georgia Dome |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Operated | 2008–present |
| Payout | US$1,900,000 per team |
| Sponsors | |
Chick-fil-A (2008–present) | |
| 2009 matchup | |
| Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (34–24) | |
| 2010 matchup | |
| LSU vs. North Carolina (September 4, 2010) | |
The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Template:City-state at the Georgia Dome. The inaugural game was played on August 30, 2008, between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers. In 2009, the Virginia Tech Hokies faced the Crimson Tide.
History
Organizers intend for the game to become a national spotlight game, on par with the Kickoff Classic, held in the Meadowlands from 1983–2002, and the Disneyland Pigskin Classic in the 1990s. Led by Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A’s chief marketing officer, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff wants to become the centerpiece of ESPN's Kickoff Week; in 2008, ESPN's College Gameday broadcasted from downtown Atlanta, while ESPN corporate sponsors and local Atlanta-based companies featured prominent displays at Fanzones in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park. [1]
Robinson intends for the game to become the headliner of a three-day football weekend in Atlanta, beginning with a college game at the Georgia Dome on the opening Thursday of the season, followed by a high-profile high school game in Atlanta on Friday night, and a concert on Saturday along with FanZone and an A-list game that night. While the first two games have been ACC-SEC contests, Robinson hopes to make the game a national affair, by offering "national brand-name" teams, such as Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas, the opportunity to participate. [2]
Auburn and UCLA were contacted about playing in the Georgia Dome in 2010, but Auburn backed out of the offer. ABC then attempted to substitute Georgia Tech for the Tigers, but UCLA opt-ed out because the game would essentially be a home game for the Atlanta-based Yellow Jackets, with no return trip to Los Angeles.[3][4] (Notwithstanding the fact that Auburn is essentially an Atlanta-based school, as evidenced by the numerous metro-Atlanta students that attend Auburn due to being rejected from UGA and/or Georgia Tech.) Finally, an agreement was reached with North Carolina and LSU to face off in the 2010 game.
The Raleigh News and Observer reports that the 2012 matchup will feature the N.C. State Wolfpack and the Tennessee Volunteers.[5]
Payout to each team depends on the amount of revenue gained in excess of the Kickoff's $5.5 million budget. In 2008, Clemson and Alabama were both expected to receive more than $2 million. For both the 2008 and 2009 games, each participating school has sold out their entire allotment of 31,200 tickets, so there has never been a need for a public sale of tickets. [6]
Schedule and results
| Date | Winning team | Losing team | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 30, 2008 | 24 Alabama | 34 | 9 Clemson | 10 | notes |
| September 5, 2009 | 5 Alabama | 34 | 7 Virginia Tech | 24 | notes |
| September 4, 2010 | Louisiana State vs North Carolina[7] | ||||
| September 3, 2011 | TBD | ||||
| September 1, 2012 | NC State vs Tennessee[7] | ||||
Winners are listed in bold. Rankings are from the Coaches Poll released prior to the game.
Record in College Kickoff game
| Rank | Team | App | Record | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | 2 | 2–0 | 1.000 |
| 2 | Clemson | 1 | 0–1 | .000 |
| 3 | Virginia Tech | 1 | 0-1 | .000 |
| Rank | Conference | App | Record | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEC | 2 | 2–0 | 1.000 |
| 2 | ACC | 2 | 0–2 | .000 |
See also
References
- ^ Street&Smith's SportsBusinessJournal: ‘Kickoff’ aims for college football spotlight
- ^ Street&Smith's SportsBusinessJournal: ‘Kickoff’ aims for college football spotlight
- ^ The Auburn Beat: Auburn-UCLA game in 2010 nixed
- ^ Bruins Nation: Auburn A.D. (Jay Jacobs) Is Under Intense Criticism For Ducking UCLA
- ^ ACC Now: Pack, Heels eye football dates in Atlanta
- ^ Street&Smith's SportsBusinessJournal: ‘Kickoff’ aims for college football spotlight
- ^ a b LSU-North Carolina agree to play in 2010 Chick-fil-A Kickoff