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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,373 comments Add your comment
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
11:17 pm
another nail biter
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
11:17 pm
Odd play calling for the offense
Michael
November 28th, 2009
11:17 pm
Now, I guess you’ve GOT to throw a long pass, on 4th and 10.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
11:17 pm
questionable play calling…4th and the game
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
there it is
Michael
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
Wow, a drop, and it’s over.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boise Dawg
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
I don’t understand that call on 3rd down.. Tech should be able to get 10 yards on 2 option plays.. why risk throwing deep a third time?
Herschel Talker
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
RAMBLE ON!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!
ladawg
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
30-24 tecg sux
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
Congratulations Dogs
DawgFan24
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
GREAT PLAY CALLING MR. ACC COACH OF THE YEAR. GET THE F OFF OUR FIELD WITH YOUR WEAK @SS SH*T!
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
order is restored in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glory Glory Hail to Georgia!!!!!
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
Great game UGA fans. you deserve it
Herschel Talker
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
RAMBLE ON!!!
M
OLD GOLD
WHERE ARE YOU LOSERS?
OldDawg
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
TECH SUX
ALWAYS HAS
ALWAYS WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ladawg
November 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
tech sux
ACC=LOL
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
haha….pass, pass pass, pass…lose. what the heck?> could easily have run right down to ten yd line. vegas must’ve called down and said don’t score, moneys big time for GT to lose….lol
Realistic Tech Fan
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
Enter your comments here
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
Why did CPJ pass 4 times when the run was working?
matthew
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
GAME OVER TECHIES – SUCK IT & SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS!!!!
JDM
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
hey stsimons, hahahahahhaha
Where's Saint Simons?
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
30-24 hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dreman1731TechFan
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
Drop passed. It’s alright.
Boise Dawg
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
Tech’s lack of passing attack really bit them in this game. I never imagined we could hold them to 24 points. Hats off Willie and the Georgia D!
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
Seriously, good game Tech fans. It was fun.
ACC=LOL
November 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
on GT to “WIN”….money goes to bookies. . . . lol
4nic8ion
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
best uga-gt game in 10 years
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
congrats to the CLASSY dawg fans
DONE
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
OH Yeah, we may have had a bed season but tonight i feel like we won the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!
http://WWW.SWARMHRNETSWARM.COM
Larry
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
I have been waiting all year for this
Saint Simons, you sack of crap, suck on this. Tech sucks. Your team sucks. UGA BEAT YOUR ASS
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 30-24
GO CRY IN A CORNER YOU WHINEY LITTLE GIRL
Realistic Tech Fan
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
NOOOO! 8/9 years of losing. I can’t take this anymore!
Simon Saint
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
30 – 24!!! HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Tech, hell has come to breakfast. The next 364 days will be miserable. Trust me, I am a doctor.
Wham Burgers and French Crys....
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Wow….nice showing Trekkies…..why dont you head on over to the Varsity and hug it out with some Wham-Burgers and French Crys….. You had a nice 1-year run…….ahahahahahahhahahahahahahaha
GT Fan
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Better to lose Now than next week…give it away.
Congrad to UGA
VDAWG(PEZ HILTON)
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
((((((((30-24))))))HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
TheDream
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
I’m sure some jacket fan is gonna meekly say “45-42″…..
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhA
GO DAWGS!!!!
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Let’s do it again next year
Michael
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Congratulations, Bulldog fans. Good luck in your postseason.
yeah dawgs
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Saint Simmons!!!
HA HA HA HA HA
Boise Dawg
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Go beat Clemson and then win that Orange Bowl.
Pi$$onaJacket
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS THAT LAST YEAR WAS A FLUKE!! TO HELL WITH TECH!
jimbob
November 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Wow, meltdown. UGA played strong on the lines. I’m dumbfounded that Tech kept trying those bombs, but the 4th down pass was there. Oh well.
Herschel Talker
November 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
PAUL JOHNSON IS A REAL GENIUS, THROWING 4 TIMES
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
((((((((((((((30-24))))))))))))))))))))))))) OVER SEE YOU IN THE SEC CONSOLATION GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE ACC IS A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DONE
November 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
OH Yeah, we may have had a bed season but tonight i feel like we won the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!
http://WWW.SWARMHORNETSWARM.COM
CPJ
November 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
60-39-5
Looks like last year really was a blip on the radar
This is what happens when you play in a real conference
Tech is not only bad at football, but all of their fans are horribly ugly
GT87
November 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
Good game dogs, you deserved the win.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
wont tech get to the punt?