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
Michael
November 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
This is why I don’t talk smack. Ever.
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
Wommack and adjustments, come on.
Dakota
November 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
worst half of football seen from Tech all year! probably the best that the dogs have seen. Let’s hope for a repeat of last year. Wake the hell up, Tech!!!!!!
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
you seriously want a penalty b/c UGA started to the locker room. You are the reason Tech fans get teased
Realistic Tech Fan
November 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
Yes, UGA did win last years first half. I guess that means that they have won 7 1/2 games in a row. GT has won one Half in 8 years….Even if we win tonight, it still does not make up the years and years and years of losing to them.
U-no
November 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
Well, I was predicting a 10-7 or 14-10 score at the half, but not with the Pups in the lead. The Nesbitt injury is somewhat disconcerting, and the interception really hurt.
Michael
November 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
Oh, I think the Miami first half was every bit as bad as this one.
Terd Furgeson
November 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
Where’s the Yellow Fuzz Fairy and his “partner” Saint Simon tonight?
GT87
November 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Time for the adjustments that CPJ is known for. Glad Josh wasn’t hurt too bad. Still waiting for Cox’s interception(s). He is itching to throw one.
Yelllow Jackett
November 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
UGA will find a way to lose. Penalties, turnovers or mistackles. That is the way the Dawg’s season has gone…
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Jeff – Cuz and myself are trying to bring up your numbers.
We are but a few.
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
ACC is a great conference I see
Buckhead Bulldog
November 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
We shall see in the in the 3rd. I sure do remember last year, and I have seen what Tech does to other teams in the second half of games. 14 points ain’t jack for Tech’s O. Dogs do look pumped,though. We will see if they can keep it up. It was 20 to 6 with UK so……
Just remember how our coaches and team implodes, Tech.
RNB
November 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
ACC just plain sucks. Georgia and South Carolina have no business even being in the game.
Terd Furgeson
November 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
Where’s all the smack talk you sacks of sheyot Tech Fans?
U-no
November 28th, 2009
9:42 pm
It is not out of reach for Tech to come back. But, Nesbitt must play and be a gamer tonight in the second half if we are to have a chance. Pups look good on the running game, as I thought they might. The passing game is still inconsistent, but hasn’t hurt them. No major penalties, but turnovers have produced points for both teams. No punts, which is interesting.
D
November 28th, 2009
9:42 pm
Nesbitt getting hurt really hurt tech, The defense needs to step up in the second half and Nesbitt has to stay healthly
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
look how different the team looks with a running game
ladawg
November 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
17-3
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
Well, win or lose tonight, I am still pulling for you guys next week against Clemson. Have fun in Tampa.
bigdawg
November 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
Only five pages of blogs here. Nearly 13 on the Dogs site. I guess “Blog” rhymes with “Dog!” Russ is the X-factor! Woof, Woof!
Realistic Tech Fan
November 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
If we played in the SEC we would not be ranked.
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
Our passing game is way off. Even without AJ it is worse than I thought.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
Go ahead Tech fans and talk about how this game does not matter and all you want is to win next weekend. We all know you want this one and could care less about the rest of the season.
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
SOUTHGADAWG88 – glad you made the leap through the time – space continuum.
BUD
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
Pauls got it all in his head.
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
Russ is great off the bench.
CBB1
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
Hey Jim Bob,
What about all the GA Tech chop blocks? I thought Jim Bob was a name for a UGA fan?
Realistic Tech Fan
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
If we lose tonight, It’s Reggie Ball’s fault.
JDM
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
hey st dick head hahahahah
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
45. I like it on here. I can hear myself think.
U-no
November 28th, 2009
9:46 pm
Tech’s defense is bending, but it can’t afford to give too much more. It will be interesting what adjustments are made coming into the 3rd quarter. Nervous for Tech, but not hopeless, but if Nesbitt gets hurt again and can’t return….
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
9:46 pm
Turd … anyone who is a REAL Tech fan knows not to talk smack. Just because we COULD win or SHOULD win doesn’t ever mean we WILL win. That’s why they play the games between the lines and not on blogs or chat rooms.
vadawg
November 28th, 2009
9:46 pm
What a first half by my Dawgs.
Gotta keep up the tempo in the second half. We have had LOTS of second half meltdowns lately.
Go Dawgs!
stony
November 28th, 2009
9:46 pm
Terd,
Do you really want to hear from those two? Real Tech fans don’t acknowledge them, and really wish you would not encourage them.
45ACP
November 28th, 2009
9:47 pm
I’m with Cuz on that. I hope the Jackets beat Clemson and bring home to Georgia the ACC championship.
southern star
November 28th, 2009
9:47 pm
Hope Nesbitt is o.k. jackets…. We are only half way through, should be a good second half……… Go Dawgs.
Joe
November 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
Not looking good. Nesbitt going down demonstrated how important he is to the offense. Shaw was looking like Cox out there.
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
stony you are my hero.
Double best wishes next weekend. I think I have an old yellow polo I can wear.
Michael
November 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
Rob2595, they ALL matter. I know I hold a minority opinion, but if I had a choice of beating Clemson and going to the Orange Bowl, or beating UGA and going to the Gator (maybe) bowl, I’d have to choose the Orange Bowl.
bigdawg
November 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
We’re deep at Dog! I really hope Tech wins next week. In fact, I’m a 1980 UGA alum, but I root for Tech as long as they’re not playing us…That way, the hurt is deeper. Still have a half left, and I’ve seen GT’s offense destroy teams in the second half. Are we sure they didn’t switch uniforms before kickoff?
CBB1
November 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
UGA fans, stay humble please until we ACTUALLY win the game. We were up by 16 at the half last year at home. Johnson will make some adjustments on BOTH sides of the ball. We fell apart in the 2nd half last year and last week!!
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
Is Shaw the QB next season?
jimbob
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
where did Tech chopblock?
Fact is: Nesbit was down, and plain as day UGA tried to break his leg.
He’s back, but the 2 series w/shaw hurt bad. Nesbit seems fine now. Tech’s come back before.
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
Nesbitt is the man, once again I hope he is alright. That kid can flat heave a ball.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
Who’d figure this at halftime: Georgia outrushing Tech 204-80
ladawg
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
Tech defense has to man up and stop georgia’s run game. If they can’t do that, this game is over. By the way, to the tech fans who say we were trying to break your running back I mean QB’s leg. Give me a break.
BUD
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
The Tech game as usual is just an exhibition game for the Dawgs. A time to give us a liitle rest and give the 3rd & 4th strings some playing time.
U-no
November 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
This may be a lower scoring affair than anticipated if the Pups can maintain the running game. Keeping the Jackets offense off the field is the best defense against it, especially in the second half.
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
9:50 pm
No, Nesbitt is a junior