
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.
1,373 comments Add your comment
GWH Rich
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
I can’t understand why Coach Johnson didn’t utilize his timeouts with 1:10 left in the first half, and then to make it worse, why he chose to pass on an entire drive once the Jackets reach the 46 with about 2:00 left. First time I’ve questioned his decisions.
Out Turn
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
30-24
Now you guys get to hear it for a year!
SAINT SIMONS DOES M
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
COME ON OUT TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
RAMBLE ON, Lets celebrate Dude.
Tech always and forever
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
Keys to the win
Georgia’s running game – offensive line play
Tech turnovers
Tech without Nesbit for a quarter
Deep six this one – Tampa is more important – the trend is in place for Tech to have great success in the future.
Go Jackets!
UMAN
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
With play calling that bad GT don’t deserve to win
DawgFan24
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
EAT IT NERDS!! EAT IT JEFF SHULTZ YOU NERD LOVER!!!
Dakota
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
Dog’s, really? Enjoy Nashville, Shreveport, or whatever…………..we had you beat if not for the drop. Even though you outplayed us most of the game. Enjoy your win, you still suck!
Paul H
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
BUT I THOUGHT TECH WAS SUPPOSED TO KILL UGA THIS YEAR??? WHAT HAPPENED??? LOCAL MEDIA HYPING TECH ALL YEAR LONG. HAHAHAHAHA
jax dawg
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
Hell yes. Things are back to normal. Dawgs starting the next streak!
PissedDawg
November 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
Mmmmm open up tech Nerds time to eat some of Russ The Bulldog’s
DFCDawg
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
30-24…HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHH……………take that. and that and a little bit of that…… what a sorry excuse for a team.
DZ
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Dear Annoying GT bandwagoners,
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Love,
UGA
P.S. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
P.S.S. HAHA!
HAHAHA St Simons Sucks
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
((((((((30-24))))))))))
Get used to it bitch because its gonna be on your message boards every day for a year.
joe cox will be fine
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
great game techies, we both suck on D-u coulda won-good luck ACC title game-uh M yellowboy ect-grow up
GT IS OVERRATED!!
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
This one was sweetl it may cause Willie to keep his job though
Eric
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA the ACC is such a joke. Clemson? Loss. FSU? Loss. GA Tech? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH an even more embarrassing loss. It’s always fun when you get to play teams like Virginia and Duke. What a joke that I had to listen to all this overhype for an entire year. Back to reality.
SFH
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Back to World of Warcraft geeks….
champdawg
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
acc what a joke of a conference buzzzzzzzzzz
Pi$$onaJacket
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
I guess that means that UGA is #7 in the nation now.
M Cook
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Great game ,congrats real dawg fans, not the MORONS who post like a broken record in caps…necks…
JohninJax
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
That homo St. Simeon …. i would not p*** on that a-hole if he was on fire!!!!! Oh yeah…… 30 – 24.
GT IS OVERRATED!!
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Tech sucks…GO CLEMSON
jojo dancer
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
st. simons shut the hell up!!!!!!! ps acc is a joke. SEC rules
TBONE
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
ACC worst conference in the FBS! S. Carolina v Clemsom = joke. Dawgs v Nerds = joke.
Great conference. Cum talk to me when you are relevent. Hilarious.
Dawg Bone
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Dawgs own the ACC champion!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!!! 30-24—read it and weep!!!
SAINT SIMONS DOES M
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
YOUR DADDY IS STILL A DAWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHA
weston
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Still LMAO
Who’s your daddy Insects?
LMAO
Dunwoody DAWG
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
For seven years I never rubbed it in to my GT friends. After having them explode on me for winning ONE game in 8 years, the gloves are off for 365 days.
Eddy Merckx
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Hey Tech AYHSMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robby
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Nice Run Defense and Play calling at the end of the game GT. Why 4 straight passes? Anyway, nothinig GT can say other then you guys were DOMINATED from the start at the line of scrimmage!
Nerd U.
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
By the way, anyone seen my pocket protector? I think I left it in the computer lab…..
joe bob
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Hey, Schultz, I hate to say it, but, buddy, you’re a dork! A big one! What happened to Tech???? You’ve gotten on my nerves all season… You know the rest of what I’d like to say…
Chris
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Eat it Saint Simmons! 30-24 Final; Go Dawgs! Russ is 1-0
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Still pulling for the Techsters next weekend. But right now, I am serving crow, slightly chilled.
nola dawgs
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
JEFF… JEFF… READ THIS!
You have written about 10 straight articles on how Tech has overtaken UGA in the state. Please step up and admit you were wrong. Sure my alma mater had a tough year w/ a bad QB and a bunch of freshman mistakes. But they are still the best in the state… and better than the best team from a VERY weak ACC.
8 of 9… wow that feels good.
Pi$$onaJacket
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
gtu had not played anyone all year that was any good except Miami and they lost to them.
Saint Simons
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
someone please cuddle with me. i feel like crying tonight.
UGA 30 – GT 24
HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHa!
Pi$$onatechie
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
fruit flies yup fruit flies, from now on the fruit flies …bwahahahahah..how about SEC 3 ACC 0 Bwahhhhhahahahsahhahahah…ACC champion is a loser to 6-5 SEC bwahahahahahahahah
2 weeks to prepare and got smacked like fruit flyz
Clay
November 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
Order has been restored! Eight of the last nine! WE are THE University of Georgia and WE control the football in this state! I don’t have to hear one more stupid word from the Geek Squad for at least another year!
Jekyll Island
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
!!!!!!(30-24)!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
The Stinger
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
Jeff, you deceived me again. I thought we were invincible. We’ve got the greatest coach in the country and we are the best in the ACC. Maybe, that’s it. ACC doesn’t mean much!!
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
“rot in hell, nerds” are you serious? Enjoy the win, your team was the best tonight. I expect lots of ribbing, but ‘rot in hell”?
DAWG A
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
I wander what bandwagon Jeff S. will jump on now! I guess the Tech Nerds will go in hiding for another 7 or 8 years. Hey! take the AJC Tech homer with you!
Let me guess what your response will be? But Tech has a better record and will be playing for the championship in the weak ACC. Your right but you lost to us so……………… time to be quite!
Saint Simons II
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
Ohhh wait ….
30-24 hahahahahhahahhahahhahahahha….bwahhhhaahhhaahhahhahaahhahaha’
and ACC CHUMPS… COastal and what??? Suckal.. 0-2 vs. SEC
HAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAH
Paul H
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
As I’ve said all year long – Tech hasn’t done SQUAT. This PROVES it beyond a shadow of a doubt. 8 out of 9 years, Techies. 30-24. GLAD IT HURTS SO MUCH.
SOGADAWG
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
i told you months ago that it was too early to declare Tech the winner of this game. Please admit it, you were wrong. Go back and read all those articles you wrote comparing Ga to Tech this season, consider the score of this game and write another article. ((((((((30-27)))))))))) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
john Joiner
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
30-24 Dawgs HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
SAINT SIMONS DOES M
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
YOUR MAMA IS A TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
EW
November 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
*******30-24********
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha