Rivalry in the South.
The SEC leads the rivalry series with the ACC 9-8 since the two conferences first began to battle for regional bragging rights in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in 1992. Teams from the SEC have outscored their ACC rivals 361-325 in what has turned into a very "streaky" series. The ACC won four straight from 1992-1995 followed by five years of SEC victories 1996-2000 which was followed by another four-game ACC run 2001-2004. The SEC is currently on a four-game win streak since 2005. 10 of the last 17 games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
THEN and NOW
The modern day Chick-fil-A Bowl has evolved into one of the nation’s premier bowl games:
Take a look at the numbers:
| |
1968-1991
|
1992-2008
|
| Conference Affiliations |
At Large vs At Large
|
ACC#2 vs SEC
|
| Total team payout high mark |
$1.8M
|
$6.01M
|
| Record attendance |
58,737
|
75,406
|
| Avg. attendance |
46.537
|
70,225
|
| Consecutive sellouts |
2
|
12
|
| Record TV Rating |
4.0
|
5.2
|
| Number of Volunteers |
150
|
450
|
Really Close Games
The Chick-fil-A Bowl is one of the most competitive bowl games in the history of college football. Over the last 25 years, the game has been decided by a mere 8.7 points per game. In its 41-year history, the bowl has recorded 12 games decided by a field goal or less and four one-point games.
Looking for a ticket? Good luck.
The Chick-fil-A Bowl has sold out 12 years in a row and 15 of 17 since moving into the Georgia Dome in 1992. Over the last 10 years, the Chick-fil-A Bowl ranks second in average attendance among all non-BCS bowl games – 71,840 per game.
First in Giving
The Chick-fil-A Bowl leads all bowl games in charitable and scholarship contributions. Last year, the Bowl contributed a record $1.2 million to charities and educational institutions. The Chick-fil-A Bowl has given $4.68 million to various charitable organizations over the last seven years.
What’s in a name?
In 2005, Atlanta’s bowl game tradition became the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The extension of the Bowl’s relationship with its first and only title partner, Chick-fil-A, has served not only as a catalyst for the name change, but also for the Bowl’s elevated status. Among other things, the Chick-fil-A Bowl now selects #2 in the ACC, has increased its total team payout to $6 million and has upgraded its broadcast agreement with ESPN.