Random Article Summary #130

The 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl was a college football game played in Atlanta, Georgia on December 31, 2007, between Clemson and Auburn. Because of its Chick-fil-A sponsorship, it was the 40th edition of a matchup best known for most of its history as the Peach Bowl. Clemson represented the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), while Auburn represented the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the game was the last bowl for the season for both teams. In the selection process, bowl representatives paid the ACC $3.25 million for the right to choose the first ACC team after the Bowl Championship Series picks, while the SEC received $2.4 million. Together, the payouts totaled $5.65 million, which ranked among the highest in college football bowl history. It was the seventh-largest overall payout and the fourth-largest among non-BCS bowl games. Starting in 2006, the Chick-fil-A Bowl used BCS rules to decide which ACC team and SEC team could be chosen, with limits based on conference records and rankings in the final BCS Standings. The selection committee picked the top available teams after other bowls selected first, and the Chick-fil-A Bowl’s payout system helped give it the right to make those picks. Leeman Bennett chaired the committee, which had about a month to choose the teams expected to draw the biggest crowds and television audience, while the executive committee from local businesses and Chick-fil-A oversaw the process. On December 2, 2007, representatives chose Clemson to represent the ACC in the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl, and a few hours later selected Auburn for the other team. Two days later, the game was officially sold out for the 11th straight time in the combined history of the two related bowls. Clemson received 17,500 tickets and Auburn 15,700, and betting odds had Auburn as a slight underdog with Clemson favored by about 2½ to 3 points. Both teams had strong defenses, ranking in the national top ten for both overall defense and points allowed. Auburn was especially tough on offense, ranking sixth in scoring defense (16.7 points allowed per game) and eighth in total defense (298.33 yards allowed per game). Clemson ranked sixth in total defense (297.08 yards allowed per game) and tenth in scoring defense (18.3 points allowed per game). ESPN broadcast the Chick-fil-A Bowl for the 12th straight year, with Brad Nessler and Bob Griese calling the game. After the game, ESPN aired a New Year’s Eve special called “New Year No Limits,” featuring action sports athletes attempting records. The preview show, “The 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl Preview Show, presented by Russell Athletic,” aired on ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN Classic and was hosted by Lee Corso and Erin Andrews with reporters David Hamilton and Nikky Williams.