LIVE: Bulldogs, Jackets vie for more than bragging rights
The early scene from Sanford Stadium, site for the final regular season game for Georgia and Tech.
ATHENS — Good morning. Before we get to the game, I have a small request: Let’s be civil.
I understand emotions (and beer) often cause sports fans to jump the rails a little bit. Because we will have both Georgia and Georgia Tech fans on this blog, the chance for a verbal inferno becomes even greater.
But the same rules apply: no profanity, no profanity that is cleverly disguised with punctuation marks, no racist comments, no sexual innuendo, no stealing of screen names to give the impression that somebody wrote something when they really didn’t, no … well, you get the idea. You can praise, mock, laud and criticize all you like. But let me share something an old editor of mine once told me: If you have to ask, “Can I write this?” the answer is probably no.
Fair enough?
OK, onto the game. Georgia and Georgia Tech is, first and foremost, always about 364 days of bragging rights. But it’s so much more than that today.
– Georgia needs a win to keep hopes alive for a berth in the BCS title. That’s also contingent on the Bulldogs upsetting Alabama in the SEC championship game next week. The Dogs would still play for the conference title even if they were to be upset by the Jackets. But obviously a lot of steam would come out of the game, and certainly it would deflate the fan base.
– Georgia Tech needs a win for a credibility boost and, in that sense. It also would give Jackets fans some hope for the ACC championship game against Florida State and/or a better bowl game. Tech has won three straight. But it has been a largely rocky season and they slipped into the Coastal Division title and a conference championship berth through the backdoor, benefiting from Miami’s decision to bow out in hopes of minimizing expected NCAA sanctions.
Georgia fans have reason to be concerned: Even though the Dogs have shown themselves to be the better and more talented team, there’s a possibility of players being distracted by all of the SEC and BCS talk.
Georgia Tech fans have reason to be concerned: Even with the late-season bounce back and the added skills that quarterback Vad Lee brings to the lineup, the Jackets’ defense hasn’t stopped anybody. Georgia has a balanced offense led by quarterback Aaron Murray (12 touchdowns, zero interceptions since the fourth quarter against Florida) and freshman running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.
Bottom line: This is a rivalry game, and strange things often occur in rivalry games. At the risk of sounding cliche, I suspect Tech’s best chance to win today will be based on turnovers and winning the special teams battle. Georgia probably also doesn’t want to get into a scoring battle (as was the case in 2008, when the Jackets won 45-42). Red zone production is key for both teams.
That’s it for now. Have fun all. I’m here to serve.
And with that, the cyber venting lines are open.
By Jeff Schultz
Post-Thanksgiving blog blowout sale
• Upsetting Georgia would give Tech needed boost for future
• Weekend Predictions: Georgia will win on Red-and-Black-Saturday
• Vince Dooley: Joy from Georgia’s resurgence, pain from son’s firing
• Wonder why SEC is on top? Look at other conference finals
• Falcons win — but run before somebody changes their mind
• Short takes: Ryan awful, defense great, win important
• Georgia’s new reality: From on the brink to BCS title possibility
• Upsets launch Georgia into BCS title picture (updated game column)
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1,171 comments Add your comment
dawgfan
November 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
“I wouldn’t know. Ive never been arrested and I don’t own a giant pickup truck with a confederate flag on it.”
You also wouldn’t know anything about losing with class. 28-3 at the half Bob. Those calculus classes can’t possibly be THAT hard.
Georgia Tech=DISGRACE
Will
November 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
Next week we’ll be facing a regular offense and I’m glad because the triple option is a little tricky if you’ve never seen it. Bama’s defense will be good, but their secondary sucks…and if our O-line comes to play, we’ll beat Bama. Georgia’s defense will have a good day vs. Bama because Bama isn’t that great passing the ball.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
Youst guys are pretty mean to the GT guys, but I’m not surprised. They’re not that good on defense. On offense, they’re moving the ball but I don’t know why if you’re running the triple option you don’t run a no huddle? Seems like a waste.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
I heard a rumor that the Jackets’ strategy was to make the Dogs over-confident. So far they are executing it to perfection!
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
“AS MUCH AS I LOVE PAUL JOHNSON. IT’S NOT WORKING AT TECH. DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS IS THE WORST IN NCAA FOOTBALL #fact”–NARD
The sad part is CPJ is a great offensive mind, but his neglect of the defense and recruiting are biting him in the arse. I am not sure replacing him is the answer. He is a great X’s and O’s coach. He is a DECENT defense away from a top ten team.
@BILLYHO55:
I didn’t say keep the Vodka to a minimum… just go easy on it!
Tech fans need to pressure CPJ into getting a friggin DEFENSIVE coordinator who is under the age of 50. (sorry Al Groh, I totally respect you, but your days on the sideline should have been over years ago)
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
billyho55, I think your caps lock is on.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
our secondary sucks?
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
Army Dawg in Afg…
Watch your 6 bro and thanks for all you do…
JB
November 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
Dawgs need to drop Tech till Johnson is gone. Those cheap ass shot to the knees every play ain’ t right. Legal, not right. Its crap
RICO
November 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
SUP…Dawgs look good, But wont beat Bama!! A chance for a national title wil end witha 3 loss season..to Bama and whoever they lose to in the chic fil a bowl
DAWGS
November 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
It too bad forced punts are worth ZERO points, GTBob!
Woofy One
November 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
Bobby Dodd always said if he had a team without several players in trouble they would not win. So true. He won without whining about academic challenges.
Baddawg
November 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
Can we make GA southern our rivalry game now since they are a better team than the nerds?
Bob669
November 24th, 2012
1:51 pm
Go tell Bacari Rambo And Alec Ogletree that its not a rivalry! Wow laying the lumber!
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
1:51 pm
How are you even going to know if our secondary sucks if Murray is on the ground all night?
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
Are there any Jacket fans in Sanford stadium? The overhead shot showed a near empty visitor corner.
-Can’t say I blame them.
You know, it would be one thing if Paul Johnson wasn’t such a Kermudgen (sp).
Go Dawgs!
dawggirl
November 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
GTBob, I can assure you that I have never been arrested and I would rather die than own a pickup truck, let alone one with a Confederate flag.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
I applaud you for being different dawggirl.
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
We’re gonna come back! We’re gonna come back! I believe…I just have a feeling. Come on Ghost of Dodd and………..well, whoever those old guys were who used to win for Tech!
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
I don’t think Florida has a chance against FSU.
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
“SUP…Dawgs look good, But wont beat Bama!! A chance for a national title wil end witha 3 loss season..to Bama and whoever they lose to in the chic fil a bowl”
-Sour Grapes!
Go Dawgs!
ARdawg
November 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
GTBobby
Forced punts? Really Bobby, forced punts? How many points has GT scored for forced punts?
Michael Johnson
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Long time dawg fan here, not here to sling mud. Just want to say: It used to be so easy to hate Tech. We used to battle. Now, to be honest, I just feel sorry for them. I miss the rivalry.
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Hope this doesn’t damage Techs players ability to do a Math equation. At least they have that to fall back on. Football recruits are watching this beatdown closely. This is not going to help Techs chances for the good recruits. Good luck with the rest of the year…
Stinger
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
You keep saying “keep it classy Ga fans ” USMC…………Sorry , there is no class in a GA Fan. THANK YOU for your service sir.
ARdawg
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
RTR
I’m thinking FL beats FSU
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Practicing, “TECH WINS! TECH WINS!!”
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
It too bad forced punts are worth ZERO points, GTBob!
Are you guys really struggling that much to figure out I was backing up Jeff’s statement?
JB
November 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Maybe Johnson will “coach’em up” during half time LOL
dawggirl
November 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
Your meal sounds good, GTBob.
45 ACP
November 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
Great game!
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
“I don’t think Florida has a chance against FSU.”–RTR Hit-n-miss
“Hit and miss” might go 0 for 2 today! LOL!
Go Dawgs!
Draggin' Fly
November 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
If there was a Prius pickup truck, they could retire the Rambling Wreck.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
This is not going to help Techs chances for the good recruits.
Yeah, we had 5 stars all lined up to sign. This game scared them away.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
USMC DAWG, those empty seats are not visitor seats. Tech never gets seats that good there. Still, there are NOT many Tech fans there today
JB
November 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
Enter your comments here
Rabbit
November 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
“Alabama, you got
the weight on your shoulders
That’s breaking your back.”
ARdawg
November 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
GTBob is finding little victories in the game. That must be some really, really good beer Bobby as pleased as you are with forced punts *muffling laugh*
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
ACC much more powerful than SEC: UF loses today, FSU on a roll at home.
rj
November 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
fire Paul Johnson
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
Hey Tech’s got the ACC champeeonship game next week, right?
snicker giggity
Sierra Dawg
November 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
Don’t the Bama fans have better things to do this afternoon than hang out on a UGA/GT blog? Do they realize how old and boring their We’re-the-Tide-and-you’re-not shtick gets? I guess when you live in Bama, though, allowances have to be made. Hopefully they’ll disappear by Auburn kickoff.
Back to the game: if Tech doesn’t do something with the 2nd half kickoff, this is going to be a laugher.
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
The Dawgs gave up 35 points to SC then the next week 24 to Kty. Then FL. Miss. and Aub. all three can’t get but 19 total points. I don’t think Tech’ll do much more scoring today.
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
And, we’re back. . .
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
It doesn’t matter if we run or pass. They can’t stop either one…
ignition
November 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
Recruiting Recruiting Recruiting…!!!!!!
Defensive Line is and Secondary both terrible and have to be completely rebuilt.
Bigger stronger athletes and a coordinator that can instill an attitude and toughness..
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
GT has as much a chance to beat FSU as Georgia does to beat Alabama.
Actually, GT has a better chance in winning than Georgia does.
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
geeze. tackle. wrap up.
Will
November 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
Georgia’s offense is rolling even without Bennett and Brown…shows the depth we have at receiver.
Rabbit
November 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
“Oh Alabama
The devil fools
with the best laid plan…”