Fast Facts

What:
Billed as the “Daytona 500 of College Football,” the annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game matches two top teams in the best neutral-site match-up of the first Saturday of every season.

Who’s Playing:
No. 21 LSU   vs.   No. 19 North Carolina   (projected pre-season rankings)

When & Where:
8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, Georgia Dome, Atlanta

On TV:
National broadcast on ABC                   

On the Web: 
www.Chick-fil-AKickoffGame.com

Game Management:
The game is being hosted by the Chick-fil-A Bowl in partnership with ESPN.

Ticket Allotments:
Tickets are evenly distributed to the teams, splitting the Georgia Dome down the middle to create a true neutral-site environment.

Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Nuggets:

• Both LSU and North Carolina are projected in the pre-season Top 25. This is the third straight year the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game has matched Top 25 teams to open the college football season. 

• The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game’s projected per team payout of $2.1 million is higher than 22 bowl games.
   
• The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game creates a BCS-style atmosphere that has attracted teams with national rankings of No. 5, No. 7, No. 9 and No. 24.  

• Each of the first two Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games was nationally broadcast in prime time on ABC.
   
• ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot has appeared at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game two straight years, marking it as the weekend’s biggest match-up. 
   
• 2008:  Alabama’s appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game helped propel them to a No. 1 national ranking and an eventual BCS bowl berth. 

• 2009:  The No. 5 Crimson Tide’s victory over No. 7 Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game solidified their position as the nation’s top team and started their national championship run. It also provided national exposure for Mark Ingram on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. 

• LSU and UNC in the Georgia Dome:   LSU’s last appearance in the Georgia Dome was the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl (won vs. Georgia Tech). North Carolina last appeared in the Georgia Dome in the 2001 Chick-fil-A Bowl (won vs. Auburn).  

• Team History:  LSU vs. UNC:   LSU and North Carolina have met 6 times with LSU holding a 5-1 advantage. The Tigers have won five straight including the most recent game in 1986 (30-3 in Baton Rouge). Carolina’s only victory came in 1948 (34-7 in Chapel Hill). This will be their first neutral-site meeting.  

• Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game History:
  2009     No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 7 Virginia Tech      ALABAMA     34-24
  2008     No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 24 Alabama           ALABAMA     34-10