🏈 Alabama, Florida State will reportedly open 2017 season in new Atlanta Falcons stadium

[BAMANEWSBOT]

The long-discussed match up appears to be final.

Alabama will open the 2017 season against Florida State in the new Atlanta Falcons Stadium, the Palm Beach Post reported Friday evening.

It would be the fifth time Alabama opened a season in Atlanta since 2008. The Tide is unbeaten in the previous four games including last year's 33-23 win over West Virginia.

Alabama has a 2-1-1 all-time record with Florida State. Nick Saban's first Alabama team lost 21-14 to Florida State in 2007 when the two played in Jacksonville.

The game would reunite Saban and his former coordinator Jimbo Fisher, now Florida State's coach.

Alabama will open the 2015 season with Wisconsin in Arlington, Texas. It'll be back in the home of the Dallas Cowboys again in 2016 to kick off the season with USC.

Alabama has a contract to negotiate exclusively to open the 2019 or 2020 back in the Cowboys Classic.

Continue reading...

 

[252BAMA]

Yeah, money rules. Here is what Jimbo Fisher was saying in 2010 about playing Bama:

"People were saying, `Why don’t you open up with Alabama or somebody in that Chick-fil-A Kickoff?' " Fisher said. "I said, `Listen, our big non-conference game, we already have Florida. I don’t need to go pick up Alabama or Auburn or Tennessee or somebody like that.' "

http://blog.al.com/kevin-scarbinsky/2010/05/dont_expect_another_alabama-fl.html

 

[Hannibal Lecter MD]

Wow, before the Falcons ever play there? That's kind of a slap in the face to the team. I guess maybe they will have a couple exhibitions there prior.

 

[Alabiker]

I am really looking forward to the game. There are a lot of connections between the two schools off the field. Having worked in Pensacola most of my life, there are a lot of connections between the fan bases also.

 

[utstnx]

agreed. thats one I want to make the trip for. Also to see the awesome stadium. Tix will be nutts expensive

 

[CrimsonBoz]

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Looking forward to it over that "neutral site" game in Jacksonville.

 

[wiregrass_bamaguy]

Yeah, money rules. Here is what Jimbo Fisher was saying in 2010 about playing Bama:

"People were saying, `Why don’t you open up with Alabama or somebody in that Chick-fil-A Kickoff?' " Fisher said. "I said, `Listen, our big non-conference game, we already have Florida. I don’t need to go pick up Alabama or Auburn or Tennessee or somebody like that.' "

http://blog.al.com/kevin-scarbinsky/2010/05/dont_expect_another_alabama-fl.html

I love the game but at the same time, while some teams play a hard conference schedule and add 1 quality opponent, 1 mid range and 1 cupcake....most other conferences (big 10 especially) have alot easier time of it. Strength of schedule should count for alot more than it does.

 

[planomateo]

Wow, before the Falcons ever play there? That's kind of a slap in the face to the team. I guess maybe they will have a couple exhibitions there prior.

My thinking as well, letting Alabama break in your stadium. Sacrilege if you're a Falcons fan.

 

[OldPlayer]

My thinking as well, letting Alabama break in your stadium. Sacrilege if you're a Falcons fan.

They need to make money ASAP to get that thing paid for. Alabama-FSU will be sold out. Preseason NFL games not so much.

 

[planomateo]

They need to make money ASAP to get that thing paid for. Alabama-FSU will be sold out. Preseason NFL games not so much.

Sell it however you want, you still don't let another team open your stadium.

 

[Snout Spout]

Sell it however you want, you still don't let another team open your stadium.

Pro teams usually don't completely own their stadium. The new Georgia Dome is 20% financed by the city of Atlanta and one of the reasons was to attract an MLS soccer team.

They had to take a loan from the NFL to pay another portion of it.

They're going to get money from it any way they can.

 

[OldPlayer]

Pro teams usually don't completely own their stadium. The new Georgia Dome is 20% financed by the city of Atlanta and one of the reasons was to attract an MLS soccer team.

They had to take a loan from the NFL to pay another portion of it.

They're going to get money from it any way they can.

Think of all the events that have been held in the Georgia Dome besides football. The SEC Basketball Tournament, concerts, motocross, big trucks, high school graduations, high school football, Georgia State football. Based on past years, high school football, Georgia State and Alabama-FSU could all play a real game in the new stadium before the Falcons.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Most of those you named were in Phillips Arena. Outside of some concerts, I think the Georgia Dome was strictly foosball.... even most big concerts in Atlanta are in Phillips

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I just hope they keep the ticket allotments the same for the teams. I've qualifed for the GA Dome games (VaTech x 2, Clempsum), Jerry World not so much.

RTR,

Tim

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Most of those you named were in Phillips Arena. Outside of some concerts, I think the Georgia Dome was strictly foosball.... even most big concerts in Atlanta are in Phillips

The SEC tourneys were in the GA Dome, which is the epitome of greediness. Worst place to watch a game, looks like ants with BBs.

 

[OldPlayer]

Most of those you named were in Phillips Arena. Outside of some concerts, I think the Georgia Dome was strictly foosball.... even most big concerts in Atlanta are in Phillips

All were in the GA Dome. Both of my kids graduated HS in the dome. They have the annual Corky Kell (sp?) Classic football series. And, Phillips is too small for motocross and big trucks.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

All were in the GA Dome. Both of my kids graduated HS in the dome. They have the annual Corky Kell (sp?) Classic football series. And, Phillips is too small for motocross and big trucks.

The only motocross style event I recall in Phillips Arena was a traveling band of motorcycle performers and dancers (I know, odd combination) in a sort of Mad Max meets Cats performance called Nuclear Cowboyz. I took in that fine arts demonstration with my youngest and a few of his friends a few years ago. They used some of the off-arena area for acceleration/deceleration runs.

http://www.philipsarena.com/events/detail/nuclear-cowboyz

RTR,

Tim