Thursday, July 14, 2011

The 2010 Peach Bowl



The 2010 CFA Bowl is scheduled for New Year's Eve in Atlanta. The game will kick off at 7:30pm at the Georgia Dome downtown. The matchup is always between an Atlantic Coast Conference team and a Southeastern Conference team. This year's game pits the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Florida State Seminoles.

The CFA Bowl, in its 43rd year, is the 9th oldest bowl game in the country. It was originally known as the Peach Bowl from 1968 to 1992. It became the Chick-f-A Bowl in 1993 and finally the Chick-f-A Bowl in 2006. This bowl has earned the reputation as one of the most competitive bowls. Game attendance averages over 70,000 fans, with the last 13 bowls being sell-outs.

South Carolina, with a record of 9-4, comes into the game as the SEC's East Division Champion. They are ranked #19 in college football polls. Their only previous appearance in a Peach Bowl game was in 1969. Florida State is the ACC's Atlantic Division Champion. Their record this year is also 9-4. They have made two previous Peach Bowl appearances. They played in the first bowl in 1968 and again in 1983.

There are several events for fans to attend before kickoff time on game day. The Peach Bowl Parade takes place from 12:30-2pm downtown. The parade route begins at Peachtree and Baker Streets and winds its way to the Georgia World Congress Center. The parade features floats, classic cars, cheerleaders, and marching bands. The Fan Fest, sponsored by Coke Zero, takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center from 2-6pm. The pre-game family activities include receiving, passing, and kicking games, obstacle courses, and a climbing wall. There will also be contests and give-aways. A giant pep rally for the two teams will begin at 5pm. Tickets for Fan Fest will be available at the door. Another fan option will be to attend the MVP Tailgate Party sponsored by BB&T. This event runs from 3:30-6:30pm at the Georgia World Congress Center and includes live entertainment, food, and beverages.

The rivalry between the ACC and the SEC is tied at 9-9. Many of the games over the last few years have been decided by a touchdown or less. This year's matchup between Florida State and South Carolina promises to be another exciting game for fans.