Johnson: ‘Bama, Va. Tech helped by Kickoff Game

MACON — Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson expressed some displeasure with the choice of teams for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, the game that will be played at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 5.

Last year’s game matched an SEC team, Alabama, against an ACC team, Clemson. This year’s game pits the Tide against Virginia Tech, the Jackets’ rival in the ACC’s Coastal Division.

“Helps the teams that are playing in it, no question,” Johnson said. “Doesn’t do anything for us or Georgia. When you bring in teams in your own conference to showcase them every year in a kickoff game, it’s got to help them recruit the area.”

The Atlanta Sports Council, the game’s organizers, reportedly tried to line up Georgia Tech to play UCLA in next year’s game, but the Bruins declined the offer.

“They’ve got a job to do, and I’ve got a job to do,” Johnson said of the sports council, “but if you are asking if it helps us, it doesn’t help us.”