We’re live from Tech, Jackets have chance to take charge
The Jackets need to wait another year for a BCS title shot, but not for bragging rights.
Welcome to Opportunity Night.
Georgia Tech’s ability to become a national program is dependent in part on the ACC’s ability to develop elite teams and elevate itself significantly higher than it has been this season. But the Yellow Jackets never will have a better opportunity to take hold of their local rivalry.
Georgia fans don’t want to hear that. They view the Jackets’ 45-42 win last season and their ensuing hedge assault in Athens as some sort of aberration. All evidence is to the contrary.
This season has confirmed what we suspected last season: Tech is a program on the rise and Georgia is the one sliding. The Jackets are scrambling to keep their head coach, Paul Johnson. Mark Richt is not in trouble at Georgia but is expected to make changes to his staff.
Even if Tech had beaten Miami earlier this season and was entering tonight’s game undefeated, there’s a pretty good chance it would rank no higher than fourth in the polls, behind Florida, Alabama and Texas. That’s because of perceptions of the ACC. The Jackets would be sitting in that cluster with TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State, screaming for a playoff.
But let’s focus on the local landscape for now. The Bulldogs won seven straight games in this series (2001-07) before last season, and 14 of the last 17. But what happened last season at Sanford Stadium was not a fluke. If the Jackets win tonight, it also won’t be a fluke (they’re favored by 7 1/2).
The 2010 season is months away. But Georgia probably will be starting a freshman quarterback and Tech will return Josh Nesbitt and a blur of running backs in an offense that just keeps getting better. If you had to guess right now, which school do you suppose is going to be favored when the teams meet again next season?
This is Tech’s chance. It is the cliche statement game. Nationally, the Jackets certainly can make this a special season and say something about the program by defeating Clemson in next week’s ACC championship game and then winning the Orange Bowl. But closer to home, this is their chance to take charge locally.
Tonight’s game comes down to one thing for me: I don’t think Georgia’s defense can stop the Tech offense. The Jackets’ have defensive liabilities but I don’t see the Bulldogs matching the Jackets when they have the ball.
Do you agree? Weigh in and I’ll be back shortly.
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1,373 comments Add your comment
Buckhead Bulldog
November 28th, 2009
10:31 pm
That wasa total BS hit by our LB, Gamble. He should be yanked from the game. Sorry Jackets!
Justafan
November 28th, 2009
10:31 pm
ARK 30 and LSU 27 9 sec to go
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:31 pm
time to step on the bugs
hardmanb
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
Get the ball, Jackets!
Boise Dawg
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
Wow…. I agree Rob 2595. Georgia scores 7 here and this might be over. I won’t feel comfortable until late in the 4th quarter still up by 2 scores.
ugafan!!
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
YESSSSSSSS!!! Obviously gt is not deserving of a top 10 ranking!
jimbob
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
uncharacteristic mistake on offense. Tech got a break with the quick whistle.
Michael
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
If we go down another score, I’m afraid for the future of this game. And perhaps life itself as I know it.
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
2 weeks to prepare doesn’t mean a thing in this series.
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
Run that ball dawgs. Third not such a charm this year Jackets. But it is still a game.
UMAN
November 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
CJ Spiller will run for 900 yards next week.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
That’s only Georgia’s second takeaway by fumble all season
JDM
November 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
hahhahahah
U-no
November 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
Tech cannot afford to develop fumbleitis in this game.
Justafan
November 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
ARK LSU tie going over time
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
Seventh inning stretch.
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
Please Paul…drop the hammer on Wommack yesterday
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
Unless the Dogs give us the ball 2-3 times in the fourth quarter, I don’t know that we can come back. Our defense has not held them to 3-and-out all night. If they run a couple of long drives, even if they only come up with field goals, it won’t leave enough time to catch up.
DawgFan24
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA!! EAT IT NERDS! GET READY FOR 364 DAYS OF HUMILIATION!!!
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
safe to say Tech will not win in a blow out like most the insane Tech fans thought. You forget we have always been more talented….we have just been poorly coached much of the season
Michael
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
We need something big to happen.
U-no
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
I will give it to the Pup defense, they are stopping the first part of the option and gumming things up in the middle. That fumble was as much as result of defensive pressure than anything else.
GT Fan
November 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
defense better step up or its over
UMAN
November 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
It does not matter if GA is winless, they always play like NE Pats vs Jackets.
Michael
November 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
They are outgaining us 2:1 in rushing yards.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
why do you even run the football there
stupid….FG time
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
Rob- most sane GT fans knew it would be a nailbiter, it’s just that GT fans chew their fingernails while UGA fans feast on their toenails
GT Fan
November 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
Fan 24 this game wont kill our season
matthew
November 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
Hey Schultz…
All year long you’ve been the lead engineer on this bandwagon… enjoy cheering it all the way down the toilet. Georgia has its worst year in ten, Tech has its best year in ten… and the gnats still can’t get it right.
TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS! TECH SUCKS!
Michael
November 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
Wish WE had a kicker.
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
30 – 17 y’all.
Gut check time for both teams.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:38 pm
btw CJ Spiller might just be writing a speech for the Heisman if Tech plays def like this next week here in Tampa….
Michael
November 28th, 2009
10:38 pm
matthew, you’re absolutely right. Now run along…
U-no
November 28th, 2009
10:39 pm
It is not out of reach for the Jackets, but they need to get with the program.
joe cox will be fine
November 28th, 2009
10:39 pm
let us not rejoice this early sport fans..remember we stink
UMAN
November 28th, 2009
10:39 pm
Something in the ATL air. Tech plays like the Braves do in the playoffs. Tight as a drum.
Buckhead Bulldog
November 28th, 2009
10:39 pm
Oh God! They are dancing on the sidelines….the Dogs are gonna lose now, fricking hip hop artist wannabes. Ughhhh!
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
correct again rob. this defense is embarrassing. CPJ’s budget for hiring a DC musta been minimum wage
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
Nice baba..good comeback. Yet all week I hear about the blow out that was going to happen and now all of the sudden you all never said anything about a blowout.
Lets just see if Tech is ready to make this a game.
Dayman
November 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
Put this score on your ring nerds.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
Nice kick return
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
nice return
Michael
November 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
Wow, that looked like US on kickoff coverage!
UMAN
November 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
Is Drew Butler even in Uniform?
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
game defining drive
Sport
November 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
The game aint over sucker
matthew
November 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
Exactly Dayman, my thoughts exactly.
Observer
November 28th, 2009
10:42 pm
Hmmm, SEC umpiring on the field, practically zilch UGA penalties this game. Very interesting comparison to the rest of their season! Not that Tech has played a stellar game, I’m just saying…….
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:42 pm
way to wrap up
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
10:42 pm
rob- there are irrational fans on both sides. I am not “you all”. I am just one person who was realistic about this rivalry game