Chick-fil-A-Kickoff Game Has Become Gateway to College Football Season

The 2010 college football season starts and ends, at least by the calendar, in Atlanta.

The buildup for Saturday's Chick-fil-A-Kickoff game between No. 16 LSU and No. 18 North Carolina has already begun. The nationally televised showdown in the sold-out Georgia Dome features two ranked teams -- and an appearance by ESPN's College Gameday crew -- for the third time in as many years.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl, scheduled for Dec. 31, is the ninth-oldest bowl game in the country and hosts the longest-running rivalry series between the ACC and SEC. It boasts 13 consecutive sellouts.

The revenue generated by both games for team payouts, scholarships and charities sets a standard and creates a successful business model for others to follow.

That much is certain.

Yet, it's the ongoing investigation into player-sports agent relations and academic improprieties at UNC that has led to questions surrounding Saturday's game. The investigation is still being conducted with no indication as to when its findings will be revealed.

The Tar Heels face the possibility of taking the field against LSU minus wide receiver Greg Little, defensive tackle Marvin Austin and others. A pregame depth chart wasn't included in the game notes packet released to the media Monday.

UNC head coach Butch Davis said the game against LSU presents challenges with or without the loss of those players. He also stressed the Tar Heels' offensive and defensive scheme will stay the same regardless of who plays.

LSU coach Les Miles said the team has been preparing as if the Tar Heels' best players will line up. He also doesn't expect a change in play-calling or schemes from UNC.

"I recognize that North Carolina has some NCAA issues, but I can only tell you that we are planning to play their best players and playing a quality football team," Miles said Monday during his weekly luncheon.

"Whoever is there will certainly be representing a very good, well-coached and well-prepared football team, and our team is looking forward to that endeavor."

LSU and UNC have met six times in their football history, with LSU holding a 5-1 lead in the series. The last meeting between the two schools was on Oct. 25, 1986 in Baton Rouge, La.

Saturday's game represents the first time in modern day school history that LSU will open a football season at a neutral site.

It's easy to see why Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO, and staff remain stoked about the game and its future, which will also be tied into the College Football Hall of Fame. The venue is relocating from South Bend, Ind., to Atlanta and is expected to open a $50 million facility in the fall of 2012.

"You really have something that makes us the home and epicenter of college football with that first weekend," Stokan told Fanhouse.

Known as the Daytona 500 of college football, the Chick-fil-A-Kickoff game has quickly established itself as the leading season-opening show by creating a BCS-style event weekend around the game.

Scheduled events include a Fan Night at the Georgia Aquarium Friday, a Kickoff Cook-Off, team-specific tailgate parties, pep rallies and a pregame FanZone.

Tennessee and N.C. State have already agreed to play in the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff in 2012. Stokan said the game continues to gain momentum and interest from programs nationally such as Texas, Southern Cal and Michigan.

The game certainly sets the tone for the season, even if it's not the actual first game played.

Last year, No. 5 Alabama defeated No. 7 Virginia Tech 34-24 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The Crimson Tide used the victory to springboard them to a national championship and a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign for tailback Mark Ingram.

The Hokies, meanwhile, remained in BCS bowl contention despite the opening defeat and not appearing in the ACC championship game.

"We've been working hard in preparation for this game," Davis said. "We are looking at them as one of the better opponents we will play this entire season."

Of course, Davis might not have a full roster due to the NCAA investigation.

Davis said players who are certain to be held out before Friday will not travel to Atlanta. Athletic director Dick Baddour said the school is still investigating the academics side of the probe and would reveal its findings to the NCAA through the week for assistance in determining who could or couldn't play.

Davis says UNC's approach hasn't changed and the Tar Heels remain excited about Saturday's matchup.

"I've got a lot of confidence in our coaching staff and players that they'll prepare well enough to win this game," Davis said.

"It's an opportunity to play against a program that has had great success in its history and tradition. I think everyone is very much excited about this game."