Tech attendance drops in 2008

The recession did not affect college football attendance around the country — but the Flats did take a hit — last fall, according to official NCAA statistics.

Georgia Tech ranked No. 48, drawing 47,489 per game, down 5.5 percent from 50,280 in 2007. The economy might not have been the main factor in the drop; the Yellow Jackets’ 2007 schedule had home games against Clemson and Georgia, while Tech played those opponents on the road in ‘08. The Bobby Dodd Stadium capacity is 55,000.

Attendance at Division I-A games nationwide totaled 37,483,158, or 46,971 per game, both figures narrowly exceeding the previous record highs set in 2007. The figures include regular-season and bowl games.

ATTENDANCE CHECK

How NCAA Division I-A football programs ranked in average home attendance in 2008:

Rank School Avg. attend.

1. Michigan 108,571

2. Penn State 108,254

3. Ohio State 104,976

4. Tennessee 101,448

5. Texas 98,046

6. Georgia 92,746

7. LSU 92,383

8. Alabama 92,138

9. Florida 90,544

10. Auburn 86,915

48. Georgia Tech 47,489

(Source: NCAA)