The Vols played in a similar season-opening doubleheader in Atlanta in 2012, when they beat North Carolina State 35-21 on a Friday night and Clemson edged Auburn 26-19 a night later in a matchup of ranked teams.
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Tennessee and Georgia Tech have not played each other in more than 30 years. Georgia Tech will be playing in the event for the first time in what is essentially its backyard.
The Tennessee Vols will open the 2017 college football season against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to play in one of the first games at the Atlanta Falcons’ new stadium”, said Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech head football coach. “The state of Georgia is very important to us in recruiting footprint, and that coupled with our alumni base and passionate fans, will make for a very exciting experience”.
“I know our team, coaches and fans are excited for the renewal of this old SEC rivalry”.
The Chattanooga Press reported, the game will be held in the Atlanta Falcons’ new stadium on Septemeber 4th and will likely ve a primetime slot on ESPN. The game will be one of the first college games played in New Atlanta Stadium, although Florida State will meet Alabama in the stadium two days prior. The prime-time matchup will be huge, with all of the attention centered on the Yellow Jackets on a national stage.
Tennessee will open the 2015 season againt Bowling Green at the renamed Nissian Staduim in Nashille on September 5th.
The Vols own a 24-17-2 record against the Yellow Jackets, who went 11-3 last season with an overtime win at Georgia and an Orange Bowl dismantling of Missisippi State included.
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Tickets for the contest will be divided equally between the participating schools and will be sold through their respective ticket offices. The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game boasts an average attendance of 66,084, an 11-point average margin of victory, and has distributed almost $40 million in total team payouts. Rather than take an early bye week or play a conference game on short rest, playing an FCS opponent would seem the most favorable option.
