ATLANTA — Alabama enjoyed so much success in its 2008 opener at the Georgia Dome that it will return to Atlanta for a repeat visit next season.
Alabama will play Virginia Tech on Sept. 5 in the Georgia Dome in the 2009 opener for each team.
Alabama beat then-No. 9 Clemson 34-10 at the Georgia Dome to open its 2008 season. The Crimson Tide rode the momentum gained from the win to go through the regular season without a loss. Alabama rose to No. 1 before returning to the Georgia Dome to lose to Florida 31-20 in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 6.
“Going to the game and playing Clemson, which was a top 10 team, really motivated our players on the offseason to work hard,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said Friday. “I think it really made our team better. ... I think that game played a significant role in helping us do that.”
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said he expects his team will receive a similar lift from the game, called the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff.
“I really believe it will help our offseason, our spring practice, our summer practice and our preseason practice,” Beamer said.
“I think the kids we’re recruiting, the kids Nick is recruiting, they want to play games like this.”
The game is organized by the Chick-fil-A Bowl committee.
Chick-fil-A Bowl president Gary Stokan said he expects Alabama and Virginia Tech will be top 10 teams when they play in what he called “the Daytona 500 of college football.”
Stokan said last year’s sellout was a success, and he said Alabama and Virginia Tech are expected to each earn more than $2 million from the 2009 opener. The game will be televised by ESPN or ABC.
Each team will receive approximately 31,700 tickets, according to Stokan.
Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver said his team adjusted its schedule by rescheduling a planned game against Cincinnati for a future year. Weaver said the change was easy since Virginia Tech will play Cincinnati in the Jan. 1 Orange Bowl.
ESPN’s Dave Brown said he assisted Cincinnati in finding Illinois as a replacement for Virginia Tech on Cincinnati’s 2009 schedule.
Alabama already was looking for a 12th regular-season game, making it a good fit for a return visit to Atlanta.
Stokan said an Alabama-Virginia Tech matchup was the goal from the start.
“The mission as Dave Brown and I have talked is the best matchup that first weekend, on Saturday night, irrespective of ACC-SEC,” Stokan said. “We just want the best matchup we can put together on that first weekend of college football.”
Alabama is preparing to play Utah in the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl.
UT's new $45 million football…
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Smokey undergoes physical therapy at UT
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 155
volnbig11land writes:
Where are you bammer?
Too bad it can't end in a 0 - 0 tie.
JMP_Vols writes:
Go Hokies!!!
jobrando#216494 writes:
I'm I on the wrong site or is this a Bama site...Are these reporters to lazy to try and dig up some VOL news.
JMP_Vols writes:
Oh, I didn't realize we all are supposed to pull for Bama.
My sincerest apologies.
volboy81 writes:
Hokie fans are some of the worst smack-talking people in the world, and I still hope they beat the snot out of Bummer!
volnbig11land writes:
Wasn't worried about you at all "chief".
JMP_Vols writes:
When I say go "Go Hokies", you shouldn't feel compelled to take a shot at UT.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I've never had a Hokie fan bug me about being a VOL fan but I have many BAMA fans in my area that I have to listen to when they are on a Roll. It's great when they are losing and the silence is music to my ears. A must win for the Hokie's to keep the Tide down.
JMP_Vols writes:
Very true my friend. I lived in Virginia for 6 months (during football season) and know first hand how their fans behave. Almost comical.
Based on their reactions, a win against Richmond is the same as a win against USC.
VOLorado writes:
How many more comments are needed before this story becomes "HOT" ???
VOLorado writes:
WOW, looks like that did it.
25 must be the magic number.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
WTF is a Hokie anyway? I'm for any SEC team playing outside the conference. The more wins, the better we look when we beat them (soon I hope).
Go Baaaa, G ama, Roll Ttttt, I tried, but I just can't do it. Anyway beat VT.
Go VOLS!!!
rockytop4ever writes:
Yeah those big time season openers are fun until you start losing them every year. Ask Fulmer he will tell you.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I grew up in Middle Tn and it is full of Bama fans. Mostly disgruntled Vandy fans. I want call them dumb but they sure like to pour salt in your wounds. This was especially bad during the Bear era. So it's fun for me to watch Bama get beat. So I guess we have our reasons for support. All the other SEC teams I pull for.
ctownvol writes:
I guess it's some sort of turkey. Their fans carry around these little hand-held turkey calls. I go to a lot of Georgia Tech games every year so I have had several run-ins with VT and Clemson fans. They are both pretty dang bad.
ctownvol writes:
Let me know when you're in Atlanta dude. I live 35 miles east of Atlanta right off of I-20.
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
No doubt I hate hearing all that BS from Tech fans and reading about them in our newspaper when I'm in town. RTR!!! I hope Bammer kills the Chokies!!!
ctownvol writes:
"A" beer? As in one? Yeah 987. You give me a shout and we'll go DRINKING. Remember, I get my corn from a jar. Seriously dude, let me know when you are in Atlanta. We'll hook up, and that goes for all my "friends" on here(you know who you are) too. Come to Atlanta and give ol' ctown a shout.
ctownvol writes:
You're a hokie fan? I'm sorry. Dude. Y'all gobble like turkeys for Pete's sake. That's worse than these UGA fools around here barking at each other.
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
The nickname Volunteers comes from the huge number of Tennesseans that unexpectedly Volunteered for the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Mexican American War. That is a whole lot better then being a Chokie Bird (or Turkey). Know what you are talking about before you comment loser. I would much rather have a nickname based on bravery and honor than a Turkey. You should read up on it. You may learn something about history.
ctownvol writes:
I hear ya Bristol! Preach it brother.
ctownvol writes:
Let me say this again... Y'all gobble like turkies. How can anything you say be taken seriously? Don't worry about UT and our future. We'll be just fine.
ctownvol writes:
That's the idea gobbler or is it goober? It's good that everyone else hates our song. We love it and that is ALL that matters. Gobble gobble turkey boy.
ctownvol writes:
And beside turkey trot, we're already in the bottom half of the sec. So I guess it will be a short trip for Coach Kiffin. His name is Lane by the way...just like that crappy stadium your team plays in.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Just hope we can turn around quicker than what was done when the Bear was in charge.
ctownvol writes:
Yes. UCLA did beat us along with 6 other teams, but we still don't gobble like turkeys. How do you losers look in the mirror? I mean really dude. Turkeys? C'mon.
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
Funny you Chokie are talking about QB situations because I just read in the Bristol newspaper that you lost your top recruit to Penn State and still don't have anyone committed for 2009. The article also notes that Tyrod Taylor is your only returning QB. I will take my three QBs with some good coaching over Tyrodius any day. Tech fans are so annoying. Now you know why I pull for everybody playing against Tech. By the way the last time Tech played Tennessee the game wasn't even close. Tennessee routed the chokie bird. I love to remind all the Tech fans up here of that.
ctownvol writes:
If we go 0-12 next year we can still rest easily knowing we don't gobble like turkies. But don't think we are losing that many. UT is one of only 2, count 'em 2 teams to never lose 8. Guess what turkey boy? Your team is NOT the other one. So you are calling for a Kentucky win against UT next yar? You're a genius. Turkies? Be for real dude. Randall Cobb? Oh. You mean that guy we didn't even want? Right. I remember now. The one we shut down the last game?
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
You keep digging yourself into a hole chokie. You are losing this argument badly. Didn't Tech rotate Glennon and Taylor most of the year and most of last year? That seems like a revolving door to me? P.S. I don't mind Spurrier, especially now that he is at Carolina. You are gonna have to think of something better. Come back in a two hours with some better arguments and you may get me then.
ctownvol writes:
Conference championships? The ACC? No thanks. Just because a major leaguer has a slightly down year, he doesn't begged to be sent down to the minors for good.
ctownvol writes:
Yes. Our mascot is a hound. At least there's no worry in him being mistaken for thanksgiving dinner. A turkey dude. You cheer for and like a turkey.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Y'll giving any thought to Utah, at all?
ctownvol writes:
Got the best of Kentucky "this" year? What about the 20+ previous years? I actually have a #8 jersey and wear it with pride. it's still better than a VT turkey jersey. Isn't it almost time for you to get on the bus and go home? Face it. There's NOTHING you can say to validate any of your opinions. YOU ARE A TURKEY! 'Nuff said.
ctownvol writes:
Now we're getting somewhere Swammi. Since you see all... How 'bout some insight on upcoming bowl games and maybe some lotto numbers? Gobble gobble.
ctownvol writes:
Here is reality cheering his beloved turkeys...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69uayj...
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
At least we don't do the Hokie Pokie at our football games. Tennessee has more tradition than Tech just from the 1998 season alone. Tech has never won a national championship. Stick to the hokie pokie buddy and go argue with Cincinnati fans you guys have more in common. They haven't won a national title either. Tennessee has six. Enough said. Now go out in your yard and practice the Hokie Pokie.
Vawlfanpreandpost writes:
I already tried to explain that to him bama but he won't leave. RTR!!! September 5th, RTR!!!
ctownvol writes:
I went there hokie pokie. Dude. Should I say it again? You gobble like a turkey. You and your little school are irrelevant. Face it.
Vinny writes:
Gator fan here. Wow, I missed all the drama. Got to agree with realityinknox!
Vinny writes:
I don't see why the Vol fans are talking smack. I will be cheering for the Hokies. UT Fans should too!
Vinny writes:
Thanks Vinny.
ctownvol writes:
Downsize? No thanks. Chattanooga is nice. I agree. Thanks for the wellwishes. Good luck to you finding a more manly mascot, and a little tradition turkey boy. Something besides blocking punts and field goals. Beamer ball?! Ha. Speaking of Beamer, and I'm actually not trying to be funny or mean, but what is the deal with his chin/neck? Is it a tumor or what?
ctownvol writes:
You would agree with him. Gator.
Vinny writes:
Vols fans are jealous of real football teams.
Vinny writes:
Dude, he's got ya here again. Downtown Knoxville is terrible. I like Beamer and his' special teams.
ctownvol writes:
You are so right! We aren't a real football team, and aren't even in the same class as your team. So why in the hell are you on our site? If we are so bad and you are so good why would you waste your time? I certainly don't go looking on Bowling Green's page. Idiot.
ctownvol writes:
Who asked you Barbarino?
ctownvol writes:
Heat? What heat? Some junk-talking turkey lover and a Gator? Be for real lady. you will have to bring more than you are capable of to get under my skin.
Vinny writes:
I knew that Vols fans were spineless. Why the heck are you picking on Hokie fans anyway. Your programs are moving in opposite directions.
Vinny writes:
You're a coward!
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