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
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
3:11 pm
OK GTBob, now you crossed the line. If you had a player with as much HEART as RS4, maybe you would be winning this game.
Is that why UGA is so good? Because Samuel spreads so much heart on the bench?
son's who?
November 24th, 2012
3:11 pm
Leghumpers Ahoy
November 24th, 2012
3:07 pm
It’s really sad that UGA alumni and fans have only their football team to take pride in
It’s really sad that you would make such an ignorant statement simply because your team got manhandled on the field.
D
November 24th, 2012
3:12 pm
Enter your comments here
ScoutDawg
November 24th, 2012
3:12 pm
Post some links leghumper because you are full of Chizit making up stats like that…. Cheater Nerds.
dean
November 24th, 2012
3:12 pm
Saying UGA will “probably play AL next week” is like saying UGA has prettier women than Tech. Some things are self-evident.
Cause
November 24th, 2012
3:12 pm
GT BOOB
Your team is bust! After you lose the ACC Championship game your gonna have to have a waiver to go to a bowl. What a bust!
ignition
November 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
The o line is not very good in passing situations, getting pressure on the quarterback against the second and third string defense.
Maximus
November 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
Are you not entertained?
Dawg1
November 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
GT Bob – so you are down to trashing Samuel?
Go back and read your post – I’m embarassed for you.
I have to believe your a better person than this.
Douglas
November 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
wow leghumpers..that is what Ga Tech fans jump into every time you get your butt kicked — academics. Which school has been on probation recently? It’s not UGA. And from what I hear, the football players at Ga Tech are asked to choose an easy degree that allows them to keep up their grades. Plus, the last time I checked, UGA was behind Vandy in meeting academic requirements in sports. Check your facts BOY.
Reggie Ball
November 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
Leghumpers Ahoy, I need a job. This Indoor Football League thing ain’t workin out.
son's who?
November 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
Dang, Bob, now even you have to stoop to insulting a player? You’re better than that.
Strange Murphy
November 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!!
BubbaGolf
November 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
Time to give a little luv. I give Grantham a hard time about keeping his player in, but this defense in general has been great the past 2 years. GO DAWGS! BEAT ALABAMA!
BS
November 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
Funny thing about Tech fans, always preaching about academics and character, but when it comes to a guy like Richard Samuel, who exemplifies BOTH (and he had a heck of a football career), all of a sudden he is “a bust”. BS.
Erk Russell's Dog
November 24th, 2012
3:14 pm
Gt bob
So you say Samuel is a bust, He would be Tech’s starting B back if he was on their roster. Samuel earned his DGD title in last years Georgia Florida Game. He stepped up and got the tough yards to help the Dogs beat the Gators.
ScoutDawg
November 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
GtBlob, YES. Leadership… I know you will have to look up the meaning of that.
BullDawg Rick
November 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
So, what’s the excuse now NATS?
phil
November 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
A nice win!!
GT66
November 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
Roll Tide!!!!
italian_29
November 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
Still don’t know if the Dawgs can beat UA, we still haven’t played any competition.
Jarad
November 24th, 2012
3:16 pm
Why do we need an excuse? Got beat by a better team. Now you all have to prove that you’re better than your schedule.
ramguy68
November 24th, 2012
3:16 pm
If you are watching on TV did you hear the words coming out the Dawgs box after the backup noseguard was hurt? I went back and watch the play and he was a victim of an obvious chopblock…cheap and dirty play…..what a class bunch Tech is…..I don’t blame the coaches for what they yelled.
F22
November 24th, 2012
3:16 pm
GTBOB
u r an idiot
Douglas
November 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
Richard Samuels is not a bust. He should have been playing LB his whole career at UGA where he would have flourished. He made sacrifices to help UGA when I think he should have said, “No”. The coaches used Samuels and did not have his best interest in mind. As a UGA grad., I hate saying that but it is true.
trey
November 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
What happened girls? LMAO
Coach Richt had to put in his 5th string so your girls could score. ROTFL
42-10!!!!hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Al Bundy
November 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
Congrats to UGA. You beat the tar out of us today. It’s my hope that this will be the beginning of the end of the Paul Johnson era!
The Truth
November 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
How about them DAWGS!!!!
Game ball goes to RAMBO…. dude was EVERYWHERE…. A. Ogletree, Gurley, Marshall, O-Line…. great job!!! Let’s play hard for the SEC Championship!!!!!
trey
November 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
Don’t worry girls. Next week you can pretend to be Bama fans so you’ll have yet another team you can live vicariously through. ROTFL
Jarad
November 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
Classless Tech? Look at all the UGA fan talk here. This is ridiculous. No one wins with class, nor losses with class anymore.
GT Dad
November 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Congrats Dawgs. You DO run this state. You totally outplayed us in every facet of the game. Never thought we had a chance this year, but you can always dream.
Hang in there Jackets. And Coach Johnson, the heat is officially on you bud. Get a defensive coach that can deliver. Open up your offense.
Next week is going to be equally painful……..
The Truth
November 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
If I were a Tech fan…. and thank God I’m not…. I would be ready to cut ties to Paul Johnson. What a loser. And worse than that… a pompeous loser. Yeah your offense is ‘unique’, but if it were that great Air Force and Navy would be winning championships.
But since I’m a Dawg fan, I think CPJ is doing an OUTSTANDING job at the trade school. Way to graduate those players coach!!! And let’s be honest… it’s the education that’s most important!!!
Bobby
November 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
It’s time for CPJ to simply resign. The football teams have become worse during his tenure. That GT represents the ACC Coastal is an embarrassement to FSU, I’m sure. For the first time in my life I will cheer again GT when they play FSU because for GT to represent the ACC in the Orange Bowl would be such a farce.
Buzzman
November 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
Oh well, another year, when was the last time that Georgia did a old fashion butt kicking on us. We never showed up for the game, but Georgia does has a good team. At least we were better than Auburn who didn’t even score. As usual, there is always next year. LOL. Good luck to Georgia in their quest for the National Title……..
SatillaDawg
November 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
GO DAWGS!
Bama here we come (if you can get there)!
Dawgs Will Roll!
Erk Russell's Dog
November 24th, 2012
3:22 pm
Lou Holtz is a tool!
Kramer
November 24th, 2012
3:22 pm
I wonder if Tech’s new AD will do the right thing and get UGA off the schedule. Maybe replace them with a D II school or a high school team. Would save the nerds the agony of defeat every year. KEEP CPJ FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS!
Stevedfwdogfan
November 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Hahahahahaha. Hey at least you guys got the new hobbit movie to look forward to.
Fladawg
November 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Ramguy 68… I am a dawg fan but I would be willing to bet, without looking it up, you don’t even know what a chop block is. You have heard and read it and that is all.
Draggin' Fly
November 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
War Eagle!
YankeeDawg
November 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
Crowell was a bust, Samuel is a fine man. Props to GTBob for hanging around.
LAhoy has many personal issues. Keep digging son.
Buzzman
November 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
When was the last time that Ga really whipped out butts, too lazy to look it up. Tech just never showed up, but we were completly outclassed. Like always there is always next year. (lol) Good Luck for their Quest of the National Title. At least you can represent the State.
FDawg
November 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
Now that was an ass whipping….really!!!
DAWGS
November 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
And….. GT Wins the Forced Punt Competition!!! GO TECH!
And, in other news GTBob is missing. Disappeared.
ken
November 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
poor tackling will be the downfall of the dogs!!!
GTBob
November 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
So you say Samuel is a bust, He would be Tech’s starting B back if he was on their roster.
He wouldn’t play at GT either. He just isn’t a very good runner. Although if he would have started at GT maybe he could have made something of himself.
TTBL
November 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Next up…a Georgia street fight with the reigning and defending National Champs….Alabama.
Vampire Bill
November 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Classy post Buzz
Tim
November 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Tech should decline a bowl bid if it losses to FSU.
F22
November 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Air Force and Navy run it a lot better than GT with far less athletes.