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
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
I hope they don’t get a TD on us..I hate garbage points.
Benjamin
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
We need to get our starters out of this one. I’m not even sure my second stringers would be in there now, were I Richt. 42-3 late in the third quarter means looking to the male cheerleaders on the sidelines and asking them if they would mind going in for a few reps…
Draggin' Fly
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
CPJ should petition the NCAA to outlaw the forward pass again.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
I know the recruiting topic is touchy with GT now but I’ve seen many years when they had high caliber athletes . Oleary, Chan, Ross etc…It seems like GT isnt going after them under this regime. .There is no excuse for UGA to be beating you this bad although I’m very happy they are…GO DAWGS
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
All I can say for Tech this offseason is that something has to change weather its coaching or players. This D is beyond pathetic, Im not even sure they are playing. The offense has its good days and bad days, but they for sure can’t take up all the slack from the D. If this team was as excited the play as they said last week, they would have shown it today.
Burdell
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
Been watching Tech since forever. My father and I are both alums, and the plain fact is this team is terrible. There is no comparison in talent level. I don’t expect us to have the depth that the mutts do, but for goodness sake, their 3rd team is better than anything we have. They say PJ doesn’t like to recruit, and it must be true because we don’t have very many D-1 level players. Embarrassing!!!!
Since Vince
November 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
Lets hit half a hun on these bozo’s
disgustedjacket
November 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
gawwwwd, fire paul johnson!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haven’t seen a team this UNPREPARED since……., oh yeah, it was only 2 weeks ago, never mind…………
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
Tech does not belong in the ACC title game. .500 team at 6-6 in a title game? That’s funny.
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
can the refs employ a “mercy” rule Jeff
The big question
November 24th, 2012
2:26 pm
I want 60. The score proves it, the last 12 years prove it, the overall record proves it, the bowl record proves it, the top ten finishes prove it, the conference championships prove it. UGA totally dominates Georgia Tech and the gap is widening. One thing is constant though…. Tech fans never stop running their mouth.
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
WHY IS JENKINS STILL IN THERE?
son's who?
November 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
Jenkins was limping the play before.
dean
November 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
No! Not Big John
Erk Russell's Dog
November 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
Turn out the lights the party is over! ESPN has already started the Notre Dame / USC pregame show.
Benjamin
November 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
And, just as I write I’d have had my starters out, John Jenkins is down. We’d better not lose him when up 39 points in the near fourth quarter…
If do right, no can defense
November 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
This is like the Presby game for us, only in reverse. Well done, bulldogs. We are no match for your offense, defense, special teams, recruiting, fans, budget, or coaching. These are dark days for Yellow Jackets…
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
I mean….if that flaccid POS came in ur house and sat down with your kid……vs say Richt/Saban/Fisher/Spurrier. Where would you want your kid to go?
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
All this will do is fuel so much hate in GT for UGA that they’ll probably be threatning to bad things to the school. It’s sad.
UGAJD
November 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
Hope JJ is Ok. May be time to pull the starters.
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
I hope to see some subs soon…We’ve proved all we needed to prove. If our starters get hurt now, the haters will say “I told you so, Fire Richt Now!” As I speak, Big John goes down. Make it till the 4th, and start the subbing…
Major Tom
November 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
Every year about this time, I’m reminded of how fashionable it is to be on the bandwagon of a successful football program at a school you never attended. I guess it’s time for me to get with the program. ROLL TIDE!
The Grinch
November 24th, 2012
2:28 pm
The obnoxious tech fans can still take heart in the following:
* CPJ is a coachng genius.
* Tech has the 3rd highest rushing yards per game
* Tech leads the country in offensive plays over 20 yards.
And all that has you down 42-3.
JB
November 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
Its over. Get the starters out
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
UGA coaches are really stupid about this stuff. I bet Murray comes out here.
PTC Reservoir Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
This is absolutely laughable and was over after the first quarter. The only rivalry part is the fact they are in the same state. Not sure if they are even a good warm-up for next week. If the Bugs hurry, they can get a last second spot in the high school playoffs. But that would last about as long as this game.
I can’t believe any tech fan would think they actually had a shot here. Very evident that Georgia is far superior…always has been…..always will be. Good luck representing ACC at 6-6. Techies need to pick some other word or phrase besides rivalry……like “annual beat down.”
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
And listening to Johnson speak is like a date with an all-nite dentist.
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 24th, 2012
2:29 pm
It’s gonna REALLY hurt if we lose big John Jenkins.
UGAJD
November 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
Pull Murray!
DAWGS
November 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
UGA still leads the forced punt punt competition 2-1.
Interestly, the UGA lead the 4thdown-attempt competition 2-0.
BubbaGolf
November 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
OK, Grantham, how starters have to go down before you wake up! Remember…you got another game next…????
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
U dumbasses need to pull ur starters, unless for some reason u are mimickin Fish-frys playbook.
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
I expect UGA to give Gurley around 30 carries next week.
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
The starters should not see the field in the 4th.
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
Relax folks, they’re going to pull them in the 4th! This is Murray’s last drive!
Incoming Tide
November 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
Alabama will roll over Georgia like a giant tsunami. It will be swift, and the onslaught will be merciless. The poor leghumpers will never know what hit them.
Back to “Wait till next year” for the pathetic dwags.
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
Unless I miss my guess, I think Richt wants to tack on 50…..good for him. We need all the ammo we can get to get honey booboo’s uncle off the Flats.
juice sourcer
November 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
Please go join the Big Ten Georgia Tech.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:32 pm
Honestly the offense needs to be examined as well, it’s garbage yards but when you can’t not throw the ball teams just bend and bend but don’t break..
A better passing game is a must, all these big receivers and no one to throw to them, and a coach unwilling to pull the trigger. I goodness sake add a TE to the offense.
GSUStud
November 24th, 2012
2:32 pm
I doubt if Ga Tech will score even with Georgia’s 3 or 4th string in there. This is embarrassing.
Burdell
November 24th, 2012
2:32 pm
Since Vince, Oh please, you guys could score 70 if you wanted to. Remember this is the GT team that gave up 40 to Middle Tennessee State. Good grief!!!
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
I expect UGA to give Gurley around 30 carries next week.
If so UGA will lose by at least three touchdowns.
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
We should drop Tech and replace them with Georgia Southern. Southern gave us a much better game last week, and they’d be glad to play us every year.
GSUStud
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
I would not be surprised if Ga Tech is not demoted to Div II after this season.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
I doubt if Ga Tech will score even with Georgia’s 3 or 4th string in there. This is embarrassing.
GT gave up at half time. There is no chance they score again.
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
Should CPJ be fired after this game?
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
“Alabama will roll over Georgia like a giant tsunami. It will be swift, and the onslaught will be merciless. The poor leghumpers will never know what hit them.
Back to “Wait till next year” for the pathetic dwags.”–Incoming Tide
Yeah, Tough Talk after you got your arse handed to you by TEXAS A&M…
We will see the TIDE if they make it into the SEC CG next week. Your team hasn’t even made it into the game yet, Tide
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
I believe in playing 60 minutes. It’s the only way we will beat Bama, but this is not Bama and our 2nd string needs some playing time. Plus, I want to see Christian and Samuel get some snaps… where’s the Rev. Drew???
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
one more quarter of humiliation for the bugs
The Grinch
November 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
Incoming Tide
November 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
Nice sentiments, tech fan. If UGA beats Alabama you’ll probably start posting as a Notre Dame fan. You’ve got nothing….absolutely nothing.