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
ScoutDawg
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Against a rushing offense… WE STILL RUN THIS STATE.
Walter
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
paul Johnson and tech have bigger fish to fry, they have been looking ahead to next week ….. hahahahahah ps. don’t forget he is a genuis he has the team playing possum for FSU
phil
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Cheaters!
Ahahahahahahahaha!
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
FIRE CPJ!!!!!!!! Somebody needs to get the thread started.
Enjoy
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Bama 45 dog crap 13
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Touchdown Tech!
Oh wait!
ScoutDawg
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
Holding, hahaha.
bsg3003
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
this is sad. demoralizing.
Bill
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
GT gave up after first 3 minutes.. Hope UGA don’t get someone hurt–Where’s Richt’s christian heart.
I’m not a UGA or GT fan but alot of dirty crap going on not called. That want get by again ALABAMA or FS.
Sess Poole
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
The 15 worst scandals in college sports:
http://www.wftv.com/gallery/sports/college/worst-scandals-college-sports-history/gq3b/#2097400
Just guess which school is on the list TWICE.
Remember, there’s a reason why UGA is known far and wide as The Cesspool of the South.
Will
November 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
@Nutella, you mad bro?
Vampire Bill
November 24th, 2012
2:45 pm
I want 50. GO DAWGS
USMC DAWG
November 24th, 2012
2:45 pm
It’s great… to be… a Georgia Bulldawg!!!!!
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:45 pm
It just feels good GTBob, it just feels good. Your conference is a JOKE. Deny it.
I don’t deny that, I just don’t see how it benefits UGA or college football if the ACC completely crumbles or disappears.
JB
November 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
Let me tell you rhe hate. EVERY Tech fan will pull for Bama. And ps….if Vad Lee is the future. Ouch
If do right, no can defense
November 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
That these dark days should be mine…
This has just proved the changing dynamic of big-boy college football. And we just can’t compete anymore. We don’t have the players, or the funds, or the massive fan base…
Like it or not, bulldog fans, you are witnessing the end of the rivalry, one in which you’ve ultimately prevailed. I think with over 66.7% of the wins, we should call it a day. You won. Go ahead and schedule somebody else who will give you a better game, and we need to go to Division II.
Mr. Silly Wreck
November 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
This is Paul Johnson’s plan, always is…make the other team think they’re winning by a four touchdown margin and then roar back to win in the last 3 minutes of the game. Watch, it’s gonna happen!
TTBL
November 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
This game has gotten ugly. Look 4 Georgia to give Tech an early Christmas present to think about for next year.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
Your comments are not intelligent or humorous.
Awe, you are hurting my feelings.
bsg3003
November 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
its okay tech fans. i go to Auburn and this isn’t even close to some of the beatdowns we’ve gotten
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
That was the last straw…
DantheMan
November 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
@GTBob: As I said before, IT JUST FEELS GOOD!
pat way
November 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
Hey Bobo with your 57-54 upset and 5 turnovers where are you now Tech is pitiful
MADD
November 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
Has Cornelius Washington gotten off probation yet for his DUI?
GT man
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
Paul Johnson needs to resign !!!!!!!!! This is an embarasment to Tech athletics. PJ is so intimadated by ga. He cant coach, recruit and the players act like they are so afraid of ga. Until GT gets a coach, then GT should quit playing ga. We will never beat ga again. Wrap up the National Championship trophy and give it to ga.
Papa Smurf
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
@thespian That has got to be the most stupid thing that I have ever read. Thanks for wasting 30 seconds of my life.
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
You know what I find weird. Most of the people here are the usual UGA fans on the board. How come none of them went to the game?
dawgingatorville
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
PJ can not bring in better players because with this cheap shot offense the QB takes a pounding and the receivers are just blockers and the running backs do get a lot of carries but not in a prostyle set so again, this hurts GTs reqruiting.. BUT I LOVE IT!!! GO DAWGS!!!
Jeff Schultz
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
Things you didn’t expect: 10:31 left in game and UGA has pulled starters.
Ghost
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
Until PJ is gone this will be a regular occurance for GT. LOL at the Tech fans that thought they would score points on Georgia.
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
I really hope GT fires CPJ when this game is over. Does any other tech fans here agree?
Enjoy
November 24th, 2012
2:48 pm
Too many thugs and swartsneggers at least golf is still clean.
cornholio
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
Too bad you cant play Duke every week … OH WAIT! YOU CAN!
AND YOU”RE STILL A LOSING TEAM!
BWWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Al Bundy
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
There is no doubt who has the better team today, but I wish the criminals from UGA would show a little class. I think Rambo will do hard time in his future.
TTBL
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
Look for LeMay to transfer out at the end of this year. He is in a no win situation.
kingdaddy
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
Bobo must be mad at LeMay, he may be gone…
The Grinch
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
If do right, no can defense
November 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
My thoughts:
1. Fire coaching genius Paul Johnson. There is absolutely no excuse for having a defense this bad. Any truly talented head coach should be able to do a better job.
2. Hire a new head coah who will install an offense that will be pass happy. You would be able to attract some of the quality QBs coming out of GA high schools and who may actually want to play at the next level. This would also allow you to attract some quality WRs like you did when you ran a pro set. Finally, you could still attract the same level of RBs you do now.
GT1990
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
@schultz
Thoughts on CPJ and his job security?
dawgingatorville
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
And one more thing, when the NCAA outlaws the cheap shot cut blocking due to player safety then this office of Tech will not work what so ever
Chip 'The Dixie Dove' Shirley
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
GEORGIA ALABAMA IN THE BIG PLAY-IN!
http://thesecrules.blogspot.com/
Michael Johnson
November 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
@If do right, no can defense.
And I hate that. The rivalry used to be real. Not anymore.
UGA OWNS gtu
November 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
gtu makes this too easy, they are just TERRIBLE!
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
@GTBob: As I said before, IT JUST FEELS GOOD!
So you wish for negative things to happen to UGA, the SEC, and College Football just because it makes you feel good personally? Sounds logical.
TTBL
November 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
Al Bundy, Rambo girlfriend in prison will be GT nerd.
North ave. faithful
November 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
What a sad showing, but still love my jackets. Good luck to you dogs, if you play this aggressive next week you just might pull off the miracle. Let’s do it again real soon.
Michael Johnson
November 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
I’m a dawg fan and I wish GT was better.
pat way
November 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Tech nerds where are you? how does it does it feel to be taken behind the woodshed
Vampire Bill
November 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Hey … For the old timers… Where is Saint Simon ??? hahahahahahahaha
The Grinch
November 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
TTBL
November 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
That may explain why his brother Uriah is supposedly wavering on his decision to come to UGA.
dawgingatorville
November 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
GT Bob, Several posters are here at the game, ever heard of a smart phone?