The Chick-fil-A Bowl (AKA The Peach Bowl)

In a continuing effort to bring you up to speed on this years bowl games, today we feature one of the most prestigious bowls outside the BCS bowls. Of course we are speaking of the Peach Bowl or as it is now known The Chick-fil-A Bowl.

This game has been in existence since 1968. It was first played on the campus of Georgia Tech and later on the sacred grounds of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium (home of the 1995 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves). Since 1992 The Georgia Dome has played host to the game that pits an ACC team against a SEC team. You might be wondering how much mooo-la (get it...because Cows are the spokesanimal for Chick-fil-A. I am hilarious) Chick-fil-A shelled out to have their name on the bowl...well $22 million for five years to be exact.

This year the ACC is throwing Clemson up to play the SEC's Auburn Tigers. I realize that this blog is clearly unbiased towards who they cheer for in college football...but looking at this objectively Auburn is going to crush Clemson. Clemson comes into the game ranked 15h and Auburn is the at a respectable 21st. Clemson will get roughly $3.25 million while Auburn will only get $2.4 million (going off last years numbers). The reason for the difference is that the ACC gives the committee first choice of teams after the BCS decides and the SEC gives them 5th choice.

I am not sure but this could be the first year that both head coaches are named Tommy and were both mentioned as possible successors to Houston Nutt at Arkansas...so a little history for ya. Since 1993 the SEC has won 7 games while the ACC has taken 8. Another little piece of travia for you; NC State and Clemson are tied at 7 for most appearances by a team. Auburn will be playing in its 4th Chick-fil-A Bowl.

If that is not enough insight into the Chick-fil-A Bowl for you, ESPN.com has a great article that describes how the committee picked Clemson and Auburn. It is kinda long, but very interesting. It shows you that the most deserving team doesn't always get picked and why.

Be sure to tune into ESPN December 31 at 7:30pm Eastern to catch Auburn and Clemson.