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
Brewmaster
November 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
Time for the Tech losers to start whining about their academic standards. Funny how that doesn’t seem to affect Stanford or Notre Dame.
JB
November 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
Ok, it was over when Tech hired Johnson. He was ONLY successful. The first two years becauae of Gailys real D 1 players
Dawg1
November 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
Pretty predictable.
OK, your beating us. But your entire team is a bunch of thugs and you’ll lose to Alabama.
Nice game for Georgia.
Time to start easing the startes out – especially on the D-Line.
Cut blocking needs to be outlawed – period.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
UGA coaches are really stupid about this stuff. I bet Murray comes out here.
Well, knowing Richt, I can guess what will happen.
ignition
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
The fans in blackface is just disgusting..
T-time
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
Great game plan CPJ. O had to score to stay in the game, not just burn the clock. Sad!
DantheMan
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
I have never rooted for GT a day in my life, but next week, against FSU, I will be rooting for GT. If they win, it will PROVE to the world that the ACC is insignifigant and DEAD. GO JACKETS (next week)!
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
Can hear Mike Bobo screaming from coaches’ box to the left. Guess he’s not satisfied at 42-3.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
Ok, it was over when Tech hired Johnson. He was ONLY successful. The first two years becauae of Gailys real D 1 players
This “rivalry” was over like 40 years ago.
If do right, no can defense
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
Honestly, I don’t think we can do much better. We’ve not recruited well since the 60s. Which coach will want to come here and deal with this mess? Radakovich jumped ship at his first opportunity… Seriously, bulldogs, I want some honest, well-intentioned advice. What do we need to do?
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
Press 1 if you want CPJ fired!
DAWGS
November 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
Forced Punts: 2-2. This is a squeeker people! A barn burner! GT could win this thing!
Sierra Dawg
November 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
If this is one-half of the ACC championship game, the conference has dropped even further than I thought. FSU and Clemson need to watch out.
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
HOLY MOLY WHY IS JARVIS JONES STILL IN THERE?????? WHAT IS GOING ON???
son's who?
November 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
Barber has developed into a pretty good punter and Morgan seems to have settled down on PAT’s. I like the future of our kicking game.
Mancini
November 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
As a Tech fan I am so sick of hearing “better luck next season” ! We deserve better than this. I am so disgusted that we have to carry a 6-6 record into a championship game. I hope Georgia lays a 70-3 butt whipping on us today, just to prove to the AD that Johnson needs to go. Oh wait, we don’t have an AD either !
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
If they win, it will PROVE to the world that the ACC is insignifigant and DEAD.
How does that benefit you at all?
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
Our coach cannot recruit, cannot motivate, cannot hire/recommend a DC. In other words, he is in over his head. Plus, he is a tuurd with the local media. All in all a recipe for a godd ole fashioned firin’.
BubbaGolf
November 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
Grantham, there you go again! What an idiot!
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
“Should CPJ be fired after this game?”GT1990
That’s a good question. He is so darn HARD HEADED. He has got to get a defense and start recruiting better talent. I respect his offensive mind and skill at the X’s and O’s.
Lots to think about. I wonder if the GT players will be up for the ACC Cg?
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Damn it defense! Don’t give Tech anything!
Nan
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Please don’t hurt anyone on either side. We’re all Georgians.
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
@schultz
Was is your thoughts on CPJ job?
playmeortrademe
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Richt needs to stop this nonsense. Who’s running the ship here?
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Dumb penalty! You can’t do that against Bama!
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
USMC Dawg
End-coming is probably not from Bamma. Just a hurt nerd…
Draggin' Fly
November 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
Incoming Tide: what’s your “Tech” name?
ATL
November 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
GT needs to fire CPJ.
italian_29
November 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
Wow!!! Beatdown on Tech. Wreck Em.
Swami SEZ
November 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
It’s Vanilla time!
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
The sad part is, we get stomped in this game about once every 5 yrs, to the point of embarrassment. The Dwags nvr give up in this rivalry. Even when we win its close…….sad state of affairs. I mean, to lose year in and out to pig farmers ought to stir somethin somewhere…..dont get it….I really dont.
BubbaGolf
November 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
Grantham, why do you think you need go rah! rah! and remind your players with a 39 point lead, that they have one quarter to get to the SEC championship…LOL. What is wrong with you? Get the starters out of the game!
Burdell
November 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
How stupid is GA.!!!! For the Love of God, take out your starters!! Running up the score on this pathetic excuse for a football team may be fun, but you’ll be sorry when someone gets hurt. This is why you usually get close and fail. Not very smart coaching!!!
GSUStud
November 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
GTBob, why do you feel like you have to have an answer for everything? I can’t figure out if you are 15 or 85. Your comments are not intelligent or humorous.
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
Ogletree is a beast. Next week vs. Bama we must be disciplined. Flags won’t hurt you vs. Tech, but vs. Bama they are very, very disciplined and smart. We must do the same.
*** Thespian Daily World ***
November 24th, 2012
2:40 pm
*** ANNOUNCING A CASTING CALL ***
The producers of the upcoming musical drama Isaiah and Me will be holding tryouts soon in Athens. The show will be a poignant re-creation of UGA coach Mark Richt’s wooing of uber-talented high school star Isaiah Crowell, Crowell’s triumphant arrival in Athens, his ups and downs, and his ultimate downfall and estrangement from Richt, who he looked upon as a father figure.
The highly acclaimed Bobby Petrino has already signed to play the role of Mark Richt. Said Petrino, “Mark Richt and I are so much alike that it will be easy for me to play him on stage.” When asked about this, Richt gave the reporter a blessing and replied, “No comment,” but Richt has hinted to associates that he’s tickled pink to have a quality coach playing him.
Coach Rodney Garner will be played by the Goodyear blimp. Coach Todd Grantham will be played by Jackie Sherrill, and Coach Mike Bobo will be played by Bozo the Clown, who’s on loan from Ringling Brothers Circus.
Several current UGA players were considered for the role of Isaiah Crowell, but none of them were able to read the script without assistance, so this role is still open. Rumors are circulating that Cam Newton wants the role, but his dad insists on the cash up front.
Other roles to be cast include several of Isaiah’s girlfriends and some of his homeboys. Those trying out for girlfriend roles must be suitably trashy-looking and should be able to speak fluent Ebonics. Homeboys should have the same qualities, and should be familiar with trashtalk and handguns, as well as the proper way to roll a blunt.
This is a great opportunity for budding thespians, so don’t miss your chance to be immortalized on stage.
Tryout dates and times will be posted here soon, so watch for the news.
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
This is the bigest game of the year for a GT and we get killed every year. I think CPJ is in over his head at this point. I really wish he would resign.
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
This is truly pitiful.
But I do love it so!
Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Enjoy
November 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
Enjoy now, after Bama stomps the pups every dog fan will be crying, still with only one National title, Pathetic !!
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
Hey Tech fans, next year huh? It’s the same thing year after freakin year.
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
I think CPJ has a plan to score 40 points in the next 10 min. apparently
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
GT has “bigger fish to fry” though. LMAO
Iluvnutella
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
@Will….SHUT IT!.
Enjoy
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
Bama 45 dog rap 13
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
Isn’t it fun, GT1990?
Lololololol!!
DantheMan
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
It just feels good GTBob, it just feels good. Your conference is a JOKE. Deny it.
UGA OWNS gtu
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA
gtu is a JOKE!
We OWN gtu.
Always have, always will!
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
Nan
this is football . As long as no cheapshots, let em play. Its not a game for the “faint-hearted!” You are right to hope nobody gets hurt though…
blamegame
November 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
UGA could lose it’s next 2 games and still be 10 times better than GT
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
@Thespian Daily World
Screen cleaner please!
ROFLMAO!
Thanks for the good laugh!