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
The Grinch
November 24th, 2012
2:16 pm
We’ve started going back to the TEs in the last few weeks.
Rabbit
November 24th, 2012
2:17 pm
Tech has hit some pretty hard times. It’s actually bad for the dogs when that happens, IMO. When Tech has a strong program, it helps chasing the recruiting interlopers away.
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:17 pm
Oh yeah — the other freshman running back is pretty good too. Marshall 17 yd TD.
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:17 pm
glory glory
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
42-3. This is the biggest beatdown since 2002. And I think this one is a little more dominant.
cmon man
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Dont worry tech fans remember you guys have the highest sat scores in the nation!!!
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Georgia Southern gave us a better game.
Georgia Southern is a better team.
UGAJD
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Nail meets coffin.
Steve
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Jeff at least you can start your post-game column early.
DantheMan
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
I like that: The World’s Largest Outdoor Fishfry. It’s a new tradition at my house.
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
35-3 is ugly…close to fugly…Jeff, is fugly too ugly??? 42-3 is, is, I can’t watch anymore… ok, yes I can…Go Doggies…
The big question
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Tech is being taught a lesson, going to a clinic if you will on a balanced offensive attack.
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Tech actually thought they had a chance. Beating Presbyterian, Duke, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Boston College is nothing compared to UGA. And it shows today.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
42-3. This is the biggest beatdown since 2002. And I think this one is a little more dominant.
Keep it going. Im actually interested in seeing how much you guys can beat us by now.
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
Georgia just set a school record for most points in a single season — 456.
JD
November 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
Good old fashion butt wippin.
dean
November 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
Lol..USMC Dawg. You passed the “test”. Too many wannabes out there these days.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
Debacle..
JB
November 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
Johnson was smug this week about us bwing #3. Maybe Richt is ahowing him why we arw
GSUStud
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Well Bees, here comes that 6th loss of the year that someone said they would bet me $10,000 that that would not happen. Good thing for you that I don’t bet and that it’s illegal. Who was that? Will you man up?
Cause
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Excuse me techies, Tech gave up when they got of the bus.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Tech actually thought they had a chance.
No they didn’t. Are you really going to keep pretending that GT fans thought we would win this game?
atlfalconsfan0125
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Normally Id want to keep scoring. But its time to shut it down and pull the starters. Get ready for Alabama. Go Dawgs! ONE MORE WIN!
High School Offense
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Ga Tech should be playing on Fridays
Sierra Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Exactly my thought, Ignition – glorified scrimmage. Boys vs. Men. If CMR coached like CPJ, this would be 70-3, but he’ll likely call the dogs off now. Time to ponder Richt getting his 3rd win against Saban.
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
This is a woodshed memory of 10 of the last 11 years
Hey GT thanks for the memories
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Okay I warned you: “ALABAMA, ALABAMA, ALABAMA!” There, take that, I’m leaving this discussion and going down to the Flats to welcome the victorious team home from hostile Athens. We love you, too, Coach Paul!
Ken in Alpharetta
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Looks like cpj is running out the clock. Thanks for the scrimmage techies.
Jimmy Crack
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Time for the backups.
If they want Gurley to get 100 then fine give him one more play, but get him out after.
ScoutDawg
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
CMR seems to be channeling Evil CMR down the stretch here in the season… LOVE IT.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Call off the dogs …. GT is waving the white flag..
Tim
November 24th, 2012
2:20 pm
Go Dawgs, let’s put 50 or 60 on ‘em!
JB
November 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
Sorry, smart phone fingers
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
I’ll guarantee that Ken Malcome will run it down their throat. Put Gurley and Marshall up and save them. We’re gonna need them. I’m afraid Gurley is gonna pull a hamstring running up and down the field like he’s doing. Marshall reminds me of Mercury Morris from the old days. QUICK !
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
“Unfortunately, we are so so out manned and out coached. We just keep getting worse under PJ – sad but it is looking like a 6-8 season. Good luck to the Dawgs against Alabama.”–Buzzman
Thanks Buzzman! You are definitely out manned and I am not trying to knock the players for Tech, but it is obvious that CPJ has dropped the ball in the recruiting faze of being a HEAD COACH.
Old Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
With 6 minutes to go in the third quarter, Georgia leads 42-3.
I keep waiting on the new sheriff Tech fans keep referring to, but it looks like he left his tin badge in Atlanta.
Go Dawgs!
Since Vince
November 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
STYLE POINTS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
Keep the pedal down Richt! Score 50 and then we’re out!
FlatTire on the ramblin wreck
November 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
New Belgium “Snow Day”. Wow.
Benjamin
November 24th, 2012
2:23 pm
So, Jeff, what exactly IS a “lib-tard?”
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:23 pm
“Lol..USMC Dawg. You passed the “test”. Too many wannabes out there these days.”–Deano
LOL! Thanks Deano! So you thought I was posing. That was crafty and cunning on your part, brother!
Go Dawgs!
T-time
November 24th, 2012
2:23 pm
B back dive over and over and over. So shocking.
son's who?
November 24th, 2012
2:23 pm
I see Ray Drew playing, and doing pretty good so far.
Cause
November 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
State Champs Again! Beat the breaks off tech AGAIN!
RickyReader
November 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
Well well well once again the “cream” of the ACC crop is the most pitiful team to play in Athens this year – Buffalo would stomp this pitiful bunch of pansies!
DawgNole
November 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
November 24th, 2012
1:25 pm
I’m still going with Alabama winning by no less than 3-4 TDs.
________________
How many TDs did you have bama winning by against Tex A&M?
Jj
November 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
If a good Texas A&M can beat Bama, an outstanding georgia team certainly can. 35-21 Dawgs.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
Maybe Brian Gregory can recruit for the football team..
ScoutDawg
November 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
We might lay off the gas on O, but I think CTG doesn’t want to give up a TD, interesting to see what happens.
Since Vince
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
Take that Florida State and Clempson…. Gerogia Tech Sux!