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
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
1:59 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.”–Stinger
When you have a Fan base as large as UGA’s, you are always going to have your 10% idiots.
Trust me Stinger, I witnessed a disgraceful UGA fan last year that I really wanted to go to blows with but wisely decided to exit the bar and go home.
So it takes fans like you and me to keep it classy and fun.
Go Dawgs!
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
Not a good start of the second half for Georgia Tech.
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
At 28-3, not sure Tech could afford to have a non-scoring drive in the second half, unless UGA starts to turn the ball over.
UGA 2013
November 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
Forced punts: 1-1. All tied up.
Sierra Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
That’s it. Tech is toast.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
GTBob is finding little victories in the game.
We made a field goal earlier also. That is a rare occurrence for us.
UGA 2013
November 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
Forced punts: 1-1. All tied up.
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
That over snap was a planned play. We got the Dogs where we want them now!
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
The dline has absolutely no heart and no impact.
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
how many points did tech just score?
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
Stinger
Why the “sour-grapes”? You knew this was going to happen…
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:02 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”–Supersize that order Mutt
Thanks for correcting me, Supersize.
Would you like Ketchup with that order? LOL!
Rabbit
November 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
Let’s give the reserves some work and start planning for next week. Rest Jarvis, John, and co.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
oh isn’t that cute, running the hurry up to get ready for next week?
Won’t matter when you keep running into the brick wall that’s the Alabama defense.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
Judging by that first drive, GT has given up.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
If I were Mark Richt I’d play Boo Malcome, Marshall, and the senior from here on out and keep Gurley fresh.
Chalupa Batman
November 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
Love all these tech nerds on this blog who have now turned into al fans saying al will kill us next week. Please. Support your loser school on n ave first. Btw, we have a shot haters. It will NOT be a blowout. We will keep it close and win in end, going to Bcs nat champ. Eat that tech losers.
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
CPJ has mush for his brains….could he coach pee wee ball? Maybe.
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
Is it too early to declare: It’s over?
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
35-3. Ballgame.
UGAJD
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Dawgs can’t afford to let up. Keep pourin’ it on!
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Watching GT play today brings one word to mind…. RECRUITING!
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Dawgirl
are you starting to feel sorry for them? TD Dawgs…Rome in Athens…
Sierra Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
I think there may be something to these complaints about UGA’s soft schedule. Patsies like Tech shouldn’t be allowed.
Cuz
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Pull the first string.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Is it too early to declare: It’s over?
You could have declared that after the GT-BYU game.
dean
November 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Not now Jeff
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
2nd string from here out.
rivercard
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Haven’t had a great year betting, but this was the easiest money of the year.
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Lol at you pitiful Tech doofuses and doofettes!
Sad, sad, sad.
5150 UOAD
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Sorry BUT that was NOT a TD he didn’t have the Ball to complete the PLAY.
Sierra Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
No Jeff. It’s most definitely over.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Charles Kelly is the defensive secondary coach correct. Well he needs to be replaced too time to rebuild the defense and just hit reset.
billyho55
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
USMC,
ALWAYS
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
That was another planned play to lull the Bulldogs to sleep and complacency…shhhhh…we are about to stage a HUGE comeback….
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
That scoring drive took only 2:03. Dogs not only scoring, just making it look easy.
ARdawg
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Judging by that first drive, GT has given up.
__________________________
You’re probably right, I didn’t see much effort in the 1st half either
Supersize that order, mutt
November 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Chalupa, you are obviously better than Tech, but I haven’t seen anything that convinces me you will beat Bama
glory between the hedges
November 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
The good news for tech is the starters will be pulled soon with the SEC championship looming next week.
The Professor
November 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
Here’s your Dwag Math Problem of the Week
f(x,y,z) = 6.2x² + 5.4y•π + √z³
Solve for f(x, y, z), given:
X = the probability that the UGA will make it through a season without another player being arrested and locked up in jail
Y = the number of legitimate college courses that UGA football players have passed
Z = on a sleaze scale of 0-10, with 0 being the sleaziest and 10 being morally and ethically upstanding, where is Mark Richt?
Congratulations if you came up with the correct answer, which is ZERO
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
Not now, Jeff….
Division III Tech is done.
JB
November 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
Bout time for the rushing stats and we”re smart comments
T-time
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
I knew it would be ugly because of our D and kicking game but this is ridiculous. Looks like the offense has never played together before.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
Charles Kelly is the defensive secondary coach correct. Well he needs to be replaced too time to rebuild the defense and just hit reset.
I have heard rumors that the entire defensive staff is going to be cleaned out after this season.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
Billyho, where you been the past two weeks? Haven’t seen you on the blogs
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
It’s funny because PAUL JOHNSON loves to run the score up when he has a chance.
I think we need to keep our boot on their throats until the middle of the 4th quarter not for rub it in, but so there is no way CPJ can come back. Remember 2008???
red hill
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
I think Tech might have the worst defense for a D-1A school that I’ve ever seen. Pitiful.
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
later on revisionist will reference this as a loss to the (keyword here) EVENTUAL SEC and NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Tim
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
Whether or not he will admit it, I guess Paul Johnson is realizing that Tech can never take over the state and the UGA-Tech rivalry.
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
Professor, go to dinner with your boyfriend and give it up.