LIVE BLOG: Georgia seeks bowl bid (and revenge vs. Tech)
Georgia players, angered by a home loss to Tech in 2008, planted the "G" flag after last year's win at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
(This will serve as the Georgia live blog when the game starts. We’ll also have a Tech live blog on, as they say, another network.)
ATHENS — Hello and welcome to the last game this season that anybody at Georgia or Georgia Tech will remember.
The Jackets (6-5) still have a low-level bowl game to play. The Dogs (5-6) hope to still have a low-level bowl game to play. But tonight’s meeting is really about the final opportunity for either school to create a highlight in a
The memory of Tech players (like wide receiver Andrew Smith) mangling the hedges lingers with Georgia players.
mostly miserable season.
As Georgia defensive end Demarcus Dobbs said, alluding to the last four years of his senior class: “I don’t know if we’ve left a legacy. But I know if we don’t make it to a bowl game, that will be one legacy that we leave. … We’ve done a lot as a class. But the only thing that matters is how you finish. Nobody going to talk about the Sugar Bowl. They’re going to talk about what we did our senior year.”
Kickoff is still several hours away. But there’s no reason to wait until then to start the banter. This will serve as your live Bulldogs’ blog during the game. I’ll update it later when I get to the stadium.
A few thoughts before kickoff:
♦ Georgia is favored by as much as two touchdowns. Sounds about right. While strange things happen in rivalry games, the only absolute about either team is that the Dogs can put up points, led by the Aaron Murray-to-A.J. Green connection. In the last six games, Georgia has put up point totals of 41 (Tennessee), 43 (Vanderbilt), 44 (Kentucky), 31 (Florida), 55 (Idaho State) and 31 (Auburn). I realize Mike Bobo bashing is a favorite pastime of fans but offense hasn’t been the problem, defense has. And about defense . . .
♦ The only way I see Tech winning this game — other than via multiple Georgia turnovers and penalties — is if the Jackets run for a ton a yards and dominate in time of possession, keeping Georgia’s offense off the field. So the onus is on defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and the Dogs’ defensive front. The Jackets are without starting quarterback Joshua Nesbitt and their offense isn’t nearly as fluid with backup Tevin Washington.
♦ Tech coach Paul Johnson knows his team is undermanned this game. He’ll have to “steal” a possession or two. So a couple of trick plays, like a fake punt, wouldn’t be surprising.
♦ Neither team has a win over a quality opponent. The difference is Georgia still needs a win to become bowl eligible. If it can’t beat Tech, it doesn’t deserve a bowl. The Jackets had lost three straight until having to scramble to beat 3-8 Duke last week.
Now, about this rivalry. The road school has won the last three meetings. Tech has split two since Johnson’s arrival. But if the high point for this Georgia senior class was going 11-2 and winning the Sugar Bowl in 2007, one of the low points was losing to Tech at Sanford Stadium two years ago.
To punctuate the upset, Jackets’ players tore off pieces of the hedges — something Georgia coach Mark Richt has reminded his players of this week.
“Coach Richt’s definitely been quick to tell us about that,” guard Clint Boling said. “We’ve got pictures all over the locker room. We definitely know what they did last time they were in Sanford Stadium.”
Wide receiver Kris Durham, another senior, said: “That sticks out more to me than [beating Tech] last year. It’s something you remember. You can still Google and see the pictures. They’re very vivid online.
“Those [hedges] are sacred to us. That gets to you a little bit. We didn’t protect our own house. We didn’t protect the hedges. We can’t say anything bad about them tearing up our field because we didn’t prove it between the lines and they did. They beat us.”
OK, that’s it for now. If you missed it, here’s a link to my interview with athletic director Greg McGarity earlier in the week. He’s standing behind Richt and says the coach will be back next season, and I agree. While I’ve been critical of Richt and the direction of the program in the last two years, my view is he has earned the chance to turn this around.
I’ll check back later.
♦
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2,645 comments Add your comment
BetterThanYou
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
A contradiction: if GT doesn’t matter, then why all the chest thumping? One would usually think trivial manners would induce trivial reactions.
jack bull
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
Jacksonville blows out Auburns mens basketball team…nice..
layinlow
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
I don’t want to hear about Grantham not having the personnel to run a 3-4 anymore. His lack of defensive adjustments tells all we need to know about this guy. Fire them all just like Miami did tonight. The president of Miami fired shannon because she said we are no longer relevant nationally. Sounds like UGA huh? Does McGarrity have the stones to do it?
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
woof it up dog nation. You’re national champions to me!
Katherine
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
JIM DONNAN OF A NEW ERROR
November 27th, 2010
11:31 pm
“anyone going to the falcons game tomorrow?”
Why, because E-harmony didn’t work for you so now you’re trying the AJC blogs?
Seriously? what is your problem? I’m not trying to date anyone…i was just wondering. I don’t need to date anyone I have a bf. But again, thanks for your concern.
SteveW
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
UGA losses – 12-0 Auburn, 9-3 South Carolina, 10-2 Arkansas, 8-4 Miss ST. on the road, Colorado on the road after a bye week for them, and UF after a bye week for them.
All that said, this game was embarassing.
Martiniez couldn’t stop Tech after a bye week 2 years ago. Grantham couldn’t stop them with a bye week this year. CPJ has our number, but somehow we’ve beaten him 2 of 3. Go DAWGS! Woof, Woof, Woof!.
UGA+FAN
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
Tech played a great game. We won, but it was closer than the score showed.
GaTechFan
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
Congratulations to the Bulldogs. Very good game and too bad for Scott Blair – keep your head up son. Two 6-6 teams, but a great game anyway. Good luck to both in the bowl games.
jack bull
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
how many you need?
big-fort
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
Everybody is on CMR’s case but I don’t hear any talk about sorry Paul Johnson!!! WTF
Steve Wilson
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
Yellow fuzz….. go suck on a loss for a 2nd YEAR IN A ROW. Bwaaaahaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
bigdawg
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
I wonder how “Big Bad Bruce” would be as head coach…probably no less clueless than CMR, eh!?!
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
I bet all the recruits that visited were impressed
The Dude Abides
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
((((42-34)))))
GT fans had their moment 2 years ago, but it looks like there wont be another for 8 or so years.
45ACP
November 27th, 2010
11:35 pm
HEY YELLOW FUZZ GOOD LUCK IN SHREVEPORT, LA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
tha' Pride of College Park
November 27th, 2010
11:35 pm
We be playin’ next sataday in the atl. Maybe all ya’ll sucky puppies can watch, You ain’t got nothin’ else to do.
And don’t be sassin’ bout no beatdown. You ain’t got no room.
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2010
11:35 pm
Talk to you AH’s again in the Spring
bugsquacher
November 27th, 2010
11:35 pm
no McGarrity left his stones in Fla
Katherine
November 27th, 2010
11:35 pm
jack bull
November 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
how many you need?
I’m just waiting to see if my dad is going to use his tickets or not…he probably won’t and then I’ll go.
Dawg in gatorville
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
Tip of the hat to GT and Paul Johnson. UGA could not stop Tech and this was a heck of a game. No trash talk here, just a great football game and just thankful for the Dawgs win.
But Tech proved they can not be stopped on offense.
suwaneedawg
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
BetterThanYou
November 27th, 2010
11:33 pm
A contradiction: if GT doesn’t matter, then why all the chest thumping? One would usually think trivial manners would induce trivial reactions.
I was not in a mood to chest thump until I come on here a read crap that yellow fizz posts. Then it is time to rub it in that Tech lost a game they should have won due to turnovers and a missed pat. Other then that neither team’s fams should be chest thumping about this game.
Hit A Single
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
That is the worse I have seen a UGA defense play in a long time. We still lack discipline, intensity, and guys that know how to drive a nail. Glad to win but very disappointed in our effort. The last TD by Tech summed it up. We had defensive players standing around and watch him carry other dawgs over the goaline. If we don’t get more intensity out of our coaches it is not going to get any better. Defense was pitiful. Lack of effort!
ColumbusDawg
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
Great Game by both teams but still GO DAWGS!!!!
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2010
11:35 pm
Talk to you AH’s again in the Spring
I don’t “need” these blogs like you AH’s!
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHHAAH
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHA
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
Dumbo
I call it 35-34 in my head because Johnson is smart enought to know how to get the ball back. Richt was stupid enought to give TECH a chance. UGA didn’t score the last TD like it was a play.
Yes, I know the socre was 42-34. You didn’t see me run away all day did you? UGA ain’t that good and you know it now for sure. Your coach isn’t smart enough to win easy. He almost let get to OT 2 times. Boy I am sure RICHT is worth the money just like Paul Hewitt is.
Steve Wilson
November 27th, 2010
11:36 pm
Yellow Fuzzer! Doint you git tired of sain that?
I crack myself up!
Lanier Dawg
November 27th, 2010
11:37 pm
Fuzz you little turd, you are 6-6 too and lost to UGA. Not to mention a team that steamrolled you two weeks ago and finished ahead of you in your crappy conference just fired their coach. Wow what a season to brag about there little turd.
Oh lets not forget, Nesbit for the Heisman. LOL!!! Have fun in Shreveport! HAHAHAHA!!!!
jack bull
November 27th, 2010
11:37 pm
gotcha….good luck with that..that should be a heckuva game too…
Mayo
November 27th, 2010
11:37 pm
42-34 and nuff said. UGA fans, alums and friends will enjoy tonight, and ‘Tech will enter our collective thoughts in another year. Meanwhile, ‘Tech will think about little else except UGA for the next 365 days. C’est la vie.
joe taxpayer
November 27th, 2010
11:37 pm
This game left me with less confidence in our coaching staff. What a sorry victory.
DAWG with bag over head again
November 27th, 2010
11:38 pm
It’s a win, but it’s a lost (last 3) season(s). We can only hope that Miami will come calling for CMR. He can take Grantham’s sorry defense and that yes-man McGarity with him.
st simon
November 27th, 2010
11:38 pm
D. Evans wants the red panties back…… he is missing them
Katherine
November 27th, 2010
11:38 pm
thanks jack..i know! I sure hope the falcons beat the cheese heads
Steve Wilson
November 27th, 2010
11:38 pm
Yellow fuzz…… you been sniffin somthin?
jack bull
November 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
Gregg Williams, from Michigan should be available soon,,,nah, i still want Manny Diaz…
Huffdawg
November 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
UGA Alum graduated 2000… CMR is the most stupid coach that has ever lived. If I read anyone who says that he should be retained after he was that out coached, giving Tecah a chance at the end of the game when the game was over is only one stupid thing this moron of a coach did. I can’t even speak… the most stupid coach in the world.
TechFan
November 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
Congrats dawgs how many of your “boys” will be throw in jail during the offseason. Ole Mr. Mark will make sure they are ready to play on game day after that – hell who cares?
Steve Wilson
November 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
saint….how original. Roger RamJet.
damon evans
November 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
where are those red panties
icedawg
November 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
Georgia holds off Tek? What a lame headline.
Hit A Single
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
UGA and Tech better be glad who their coaches are a appreciate it. Both coaches will give you a chance to win year in and year out. Great game Tech and Good win Dawgs and now let’s go let our seniors enjoy their bowl game, especially Durham.
Jimmy
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
The conversation on this blog is moronic tonight.
icedawg
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
More like Georgia owns Tek.
bgdawg
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
yellow fuzz: yall lost…. i don’t think anyone can talk smack if they lost their game.
UGAKEV
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
Georgia fans please dont get on here bragging because this was nothing to brag about…this was quite embarressing to barely beat a bad tech team that had a back up quarterback. Yeah were going to a bowl game and i will always love my dawgs but there is no need to brag about a 6-6 season. Our only hope is to really get a dream team recruiting class..crowell , drew and the rest of you great georgia high school players, PLEASE COME TO UGA AND SAVE US!…Go Dawgs always!
damon evans mistress
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
Ive got them
Reality Bites
November 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
We ought to force both teams to play each other again in the bowl game. Have it at some Class A high school stadium.
TechFan
November 27th, 2010
11:41 pm
“Gailey’s recruits” get their revenge….
Katherine
November 27th, 2010
11:41 pm
jimmy yes it is
Steve Wilson
November 27th, 2010
11:41 pm
Jimmy…………………………….Your mama!