ACC decision eliminates 2020 Georgia-Virginia Chick-fil-A Kickoff game

The ACC announced a new football scheduling format for the 2020 season on Wednesday, which includes 10 conference games plus one non-conference game.

There is a stipulation on the one non-conference game, however. The contest has to be played in the home state of the ACC institution.

As a result of this decision, this effectively eliminates Georgia’s season-opener against the Virginia Cavaliers in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The game was slated for Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day) and would have featured the Bulldogs in a primetime slot on an ESPN network.

UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity confirmed the cancellation to Brandon Sudge of The Telegraph.

BREAKING: Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity tells @telegraphga that the ACC’s announcement “Eliminates UVA game.” He has no further comment until SEC schedule is announced.

— Brandon Sudge (@brandonsudge) July 29, 2020

Georgia’s other non-conference games in 2020 could also be canceled, including in-state rival Georgia Tech. The political fallout of that cancellation would be severe if the SEC is the one to back out, which is what may happen per a report from Sports Illustrated.

NEWS: The #SEC is moving closer to a conference-only 10-game schedule, sources tell @SINow.

ADs agreed on the matter Wednesday and presidents are expected to meet Thursday, though they may delay a decision until next week.

This is a fluid situation. https://t.co/er591whOF0

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 29, 2020

The SEC is reportedly going to make a final decision on their 2020 football scheduling format as soon as Friday, so stay tuned. If the conference at least decides to keep one non-conference game, expect that to be Clean Old Fashioned Hate.

Moreover, a Georgia-Georgia Tech matchup could even be moved to earlier in the season since Georgia has Week 1 open now. Week 2, where ETSU currently sits, and Week Zero would also be options.

UGA Football Schedule