DISQUS

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

Then Auburn can step up and play them! But I think that Saban will relish the shot.

Last week, Tuberville was in Atlanta to speak, and before he came on, 680 The Fan was interviewing the president of the Atlanta Sports Council, the group that tries to attract these matchups for the Georgia Dome, which is also the site for the SEC CG and the Chick Fila Bowl. Anyway, he mentioned a possible matchup like this in the works.

He also mentioned that there is no doubt that Saban wants to increase his presence in Georgia, particularly Atlanta, because the state of Georgia had more Division 1-A signees last year than every other state save the big three of CA, TX, and FL. This idea was paramount in Bama scheduling Clemson to kick off the season in the Dome this year.

Hey, they end the season with a SEC-ACC matchup in the Chick Fila Bowl. Why not start the season with one, too.

dithridge · 1 year ago

great matchup. I would rather see it on campus though.

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

Better get used to these neutral site games, because they're the wave of the future. It makes scheduling SOOOO much easier, being a one-shot deal rather than a home and return. With the payouts that some of these venues are offering and the TV coverage for intriguing matchups, ADs all over are taking a long look at the prospects.

In addition, it gives you exposure in areas that you might not be that strong in. Say that Tennessee wanted to get a little bit more exposure in the state of Florida. They could schedule a team in Orlando, which is a town that has a Div 1-A team, but that team doesn't have a dominant presence. Same with Atlanta, which has GA Tech, but is really a UGA town...

Zac · 1 year ago

Something had better happen with gasoline prices by that time. That, or an efficient technology, which counters high fuel costs, had better be on the maket. Otherwise, you're not going to get fans to these neutral site games, even if they are only within a day's drive. If you're paying more for fuel than you are hotel & meals combined, it could be hard to justify, even for a short vacation.

Regan · 1 year ago

We'll have Mr. Fusion by 2015, don't worry. :)

GeauxTigers0107 · 1 year ago

I hope 'Bama accepts this game with VT. It's great that more and more teams are trying to schedule tougher opponents. The college football fans love it (not that I'm qualified to speak for all CFB fans, but what the hell) and, more importantly, winning said game can make a big difference in SOS rankings at the end of the season. LSU is a prime example of benefitting from this. Had they not beat VT last year, no way LSU gets the vote to play for the MNC over VT.

On a side note, WEA: who do you pull for in that game should it take place?? I really like the Hokies as a team and Coach Beamer....and I really hate Alabama as an impersonator of a team and Coa...uh........let's not go there..lol. But I have to stay true to the SEC and pull.............aaaaghhh....can't...getit....out.......aaaghhhhh....FOR BAMA!!!.......WHEWWWWW...that hurt like hell..lol.

Geaux Tigers
Geaux SEC

dithridge · 1 year ago

i also think its great more teams are trying to schedule tougher opponents, especially when other teams like georgia tech and florida state put two division1-aa teams on their schedule in one season. i don't want to hear excuses for weakening your schedule because 8 of your starters are suspended for 3 games.

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

A good strategy takes a lot of discipline, GT, so I'd have to root for Bama. For one, I root for SEC teams in big OOC games, like you do. Secondly, I want Alabama to be ranked higher so their landing is a lot harder when we knock them off their perch. That's my strategy.

Most Auburn fans want the Tide to lose every game. Not me. Auburn isn't served by a weak Alabama. Besides, it's harder for them to make excuses if they had a good season other than their game with us. Naturally, rational Alabama fans feel the same way about us...

But you know, put me in a living room with some of my fellow Auburn homers watching an Alabama game and it's real hard not to revert back to your primeval instincts...

GeauxTigers0107 · 1 year ago

That therapy is really paying off......lol.

Lennie Collins · 1 year ago

Hopefully more upper tier programs will do this and stop scheduling weaklings!

JB · 1 year ago

Is there an easy way to sign in here, because every time i do, i have to go to someone elses profile and sign in there only to come back to the screen and see that i am not verifed but signed in... so sry in advance Kev for posting under different names

JB · 1 year ago

and i meant to edit out the last part about the names but it wouldnt let me , but still is there an easy way to sign in??

and i apologize to those who i have seriously confused with these two posts

zach17 · 1 year ago

At one point there were talks of Virginia Tech and Tennessee playing a game in Bristol Motor Speedway. That has been a couple of years ago and I believe it has fell through. That would have been an awesome game to see... plus it would have seated like 150,000 people or something like that.

jake · 1 year ago

Bama will go because Saban wants the media and recruiting publicity, and because if Bama, AU, or LSU doesn't go, this event turns into a junk game. I'm sure one of those 3 would agree and Saban will likely jump at the opportunity.

jake · 1 year ago

It would be interesting if this turned into a trend throughout college football in a way that mimics college basketball's pre-season tourneys. For example, several large NFL venues start hosting "early season invites" in which top teams travel to these neutral sites to play non-conference games. What program doesn't want this type of publicity?

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

Of course, there are many risks to starting the season against a quality opponent, the biggest of which is that a loss can spiral your season down the bowl real quick...

JB · 1 year ago

Yea, but not always...look at VT last year...they play a close game with ECU and then get slammed in Death Vallety...but the still made the BCS!

jake · 1 year ago

I think the SEC teams would be the last to agree to these, if at all.

JB · 1 year ago

Not exactly,jake in the last couple of years, a lot of SEC teams are starting ou with big OOC games

Zac · 1 year ago

This will be a clash of defenses. If Tech can get their offense rolling, this could come down to special teams - advantage Tech. Otherwise, too close to call at this point.

JB · 1 year ago

This may be a biased opinon but i bet tech would win by 30 or so....but like my fellow SEC compadres, i have to Roll with the Tide :-)

TNGator · 1 year ago

That would be a good series to start; basically the same thing that Wheeler tried to get @ Bristol Motor Speedway between Va Tech and UT. Put any of the top 3 from the East or West in there against them......all six of them should pretty much be able to wax Beamer's Bunch.

Steve Justice · 1 year ago

Everyone would rather see UT and Tech play than Tech and Bama. Border states make for big rivalries. I live about 35 mins from the state line on the VA side (still a UT fan though) and conversations, or arguments, about who is better between the VOLs and Hokies take up most of my time during football season.

balrog · 1 year ago

I agree Steve and TN. The Hokies and the Vols *should* be a great natural rivalry. Much moreso than VT-WVU. And TN is right about the Bristol arrangement. It might have been ideal... if the infield could actually be made into a suitable football field (unproven) and if everyone remembers to bring binoculars (football players, even linemen, are still harder to follow than cars and they wouldn't really be anywhere near the fans -- at least the Dale and Bobby come your way once per lap.)

dithridge · 1 year ago

the scoring pylon in the middle of the infield looks pretty permanent and might prove a problem also