Rivalry with UGA defines Tech
UGA fans don't view the rivalry the same way Tech fans do.
It’s a given that Georgia fans hate to see the Dogs lose to Georgia Tech.
They are, after all, our in-state rival, and you always hate to lose such a game. But aside from bragging rights, UGA fans don’t attach nearly as much significance to the rivalry as do the folks from North Avenue.
We also hate to lose to Florida, Auburn or Tennessee. In fact, the Florida rivalry has a pretty strong claim to being the biggest one in the eyes of Bulldogs fans.
Whereas with the Techies, there’s no question at all who ranks No. 1 in their thoughts 365 days a year: Georgia.
It’s an obsession at Tech. I understand they indoctrinate incoming students at orientation with the importance of hating the school in Athens. They have “to hell with Georgia” in the official lyrics of their fight song. (UGA’s fight song makes no mention of Tech, and even the unofficial version sporting a “to hell with …” line sung by the student section substitutes whoever the Dogs are playing that week.)
Tech puts fans in the stands up on the Grant Field scoreboard video screen during a game to recite their mantra, “to hell with Georgia.” They put Bulldog stickers in some of the urinals at Grant Field. First thing Paul Johnson did after coming to Tech was declare that beating Georgia would be paramount for his team.
How large do the Dogs loom in the Jackets’ consciousness? They actually engraved the score of last year’s win over Georgia (Tech’s first in eight years) on the rings given to players the end of the season!
The lopsided nature of the results in football over the past four decades have also ingrained an insecurity in Tech fandom that even Johnson taking the Jackets back into the Top 10 can’t erase. Amid the usual trash talking this week in comments posted by Tech fans on Georgia blogs have been a surprising number of folks worrying that the Dogs somehow will pull out another win this year, despite the Jackets being the clear favorite.
I think an upset win by Georgia this year is unlikely. The 2009 Dogs are just too deeply flawed. But it could happen. And if it does, Dogs fans will be thrilled and surprised. But it will be just another Georgia win over Tech. The universe restored to its normal order.
If Tech wins, it’ll be just one more disappointment in an ugly season for Georgia fans. But in the Tech world, it will be time to put up a statue or something.
Their hatred of the Dogs is what defines them. After all, you can’t spell Georgia Tech without G-E-O-R-G-I-A!
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418 comments Add your comment
Saint Simons
November 27th, 2009
7:10 pm
Tech will hang 50+ points on Uga!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
7:12 pm
MauiDAWG – Uh-oh, you’re sounding a lot like Bob Davie with the wishbone stuff. The wishbone was so named because the alignment of the 4 backs looked like a wishbone. Duh, Davie.
Tech’s offense *looks* more like a Wing-T with two wingbacks and 2 split WRs, with the deep back (B back) closer behind the QB. In the Tech spread option, the crossing wingback passes behind the B back, as opposed to crossing in front of the deep back in the Wing-T. There are several packages of options for the Wing-T. I’m talking about Tubby Raymond’s Delaware Wing-T.
Lahaina this weekend?
Bobby Jones
November 27th, 2009
7:14 pm
Wow Bill, you really are BITTER!!!! Clearly this rivalry goes a little deeper! Perhaps because most good-ole-boys grow up with an inferiority complex to those smart, city folk?
Saint Simons
November 27th, 2009
7:17 pm
hahahahahahahahaha good one Bobby Jones
wreck17
November 27th, 2009
7:20 pm
I was about to get irritated at this bait but realized it was written by a guy who looks like a retarded Santa.
duke
November 27th, 2009
7:22 pm
What’s the deal with Paul Johnson’s nose?
Saint Simons
November 27th, 2009
7:25 pm
Bill it sounds like a Tech cheerleader bitch slaped you!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahaha
Roddywillrapethepupsagain
November 27th, 2009
7:34 pm
I find it funny that all the Georgia fans are claiming that this is not a big rivalry and only tech cares about it right before they are supposed to lose for the second straight year. Say for instance, don’t get ur hopes up uga, it won’t happen, Georgia wins, then Georgia fans will be all up in our face and it will automatically be a big rivalry again. Tech isn’t like that, when we lose to Georgia, we fire our coach, when Georgia loses, it isn’t a big rivalry. Georgia fans are the most fairweather fans I know and if you don’t believe me, look at the stands from the game last week. THWG
MauiDAWG
November 27th, 2009
7:34 pm
Haha Delbert, no snow here in Lahaina. True, formation probably more like a WingT but all variations of a “wishbone” offense/playcalling.
This game will be very interesting to see if Willie adjusts the defense. I’d like to see 7 in the box with corners crashing and safeties playing man on WR. I don’t see GT running screens successfully. It’d be a gamble but forcing GT’s weaknesses to beat us. Just a thought
85Jacket
November 27th, 2009
7:38 pm
For native Georgians who graduated from Tech, a defeat of UGA is simply sweeter than any other victory for one reason: We can finally, hopefully shut up all the UGA bandwagon fans that have never graced the halls at Georgia and act so superior to us “Techies.” It is easy to jump on a wagon rolling downhill and ride it until you start back up the hill….then bitch at the driver for not continuing at the same speed up the hill. Many of us have supported our school through thick and thin, wins or losses, good coaches (very few) and bad coaches. For those that didn’t attend a school, it really is all about football. For those of us (either UGA or Tech) who attended, we mostly support our schools in good or bad times. Unfortunately, UGA has a larger following of idiots than we do, and those idiots are what fuel our disgust at UGA. Bill, I am glad this game doesn’t mean squat to you , but TO HELL WITH GEORGIA and I am glad you so fervently represent your school.
bulldawghuff
November 27th, 2009
7:39 pm
saint simon… you are a dummy,tech ’s d is horrible and king & ealy along with the line have turned the corner.so it shall come down to witch defence plays the best,and you come into the game one dementional .
Cuz
November 27th, 2009
7:39 pm
Now for the boys in Red and a shout out to Willie M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
TML
November 27th, 2009
7:42 pm
Hey hillBilly…
(1) Your team is a 6-6 JOKE and the best thing is you actually know it this year! You KNOW what’s coming at you tomorrow night. You can try to deny it, but it’s coming and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
(2) I love how you intimate (for your u[sic]ga fans, that means “suggest”) winning over Tech is no big deal, but then you say that the ‘universe will be restored to order’ if they somehow win…how’s that?
(3) How many Muttlanders will even be in Bobby Dodd tomorrow night?
(4) Better yet, how many will walk out in the 2nd or 3rd quarter when they’re down 2-3 touchdowns? If you idiots will walk out on your team with 2 minutes to go against a basketball school, with the ball, AT HOME, and down only one score, what kind of exodus will I get to see tomorrow night???
Georgia YOU SUCK and you’re trying not to acknowledge it openly. That’s ok. When CP”Goferit”J opens up that can of whup-@$$ on you, you’ll get to hear it for the next 364…AGAIN!
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!! 4 national titles > 1!
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Gordon
November 27th, 2009
7:43 pm
You said it yourself, Mr. King: “In fact, the Florida rivalry has a pretty strong claim to being the biggest one in the eyes of Bulldogs fans.”
Why? Because you have lost most of the games to them in the last 20 years. That’s why UGA is our biggest rival. It probably wasn’t in the mid-50’s when Tech was dominating. I’ve said it many times: Tech and UGA people are more alike than either cares to admit.
Cuz
November 27th, 2009
7:46 pm
I stayed last weekend until they ran me out. Sure I was in a skybox, but I would have stayed anyway.
Homedawg
November 27th, 2009
7:48 pm
But Bill – very early in the season when skies were blue and the Dawgs were rolling you said ” I can’t wait to wipe the smiles off of Jacket fans’ faces.” Sounds kind of like you were pretty focused on this non Bulldog-rivalry rivalry doesn’t it? Good luck tomorrow but I believe whoever loses will hurt like hell for a year.
Roddywillrapethepupsagain
November 27th, 2009
7:54 pm
Mauibulldawg, we don’t run screens but you can try to defend the screen. We run the dive, keep, and pitch and if you focus on one, we are going to bust you with another
Cuz
November 27th, 2009
7:57 pm
This one goes out to the Georgia Offense. Don’t let em get two in a row.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O7PnvVgQvA
It is spelled D-O-G, you don't look smarter by complicating it
November 27th, 2009
7:59 pm
Bulldawghuff, if you are going to call someone a “dummy,” you might not want to make yourself appear as one with your God-awful spelling.
witch = which
defence = defense
dementional (wtf? really?) = dimensional
Dummy…
GT Alum
November 27th, 2009
7:59 pm
Bill aka Cooter aka Sally Jesse Raphael, nice article you moron. Yeah, that Florida rivalry is some rivalry for sure! I can’t belive you are still on the payroll after writing this kind of junk. Can’t wait to see your Dawgs get pounded tomorrow!
What a complete pile of garbage this is. Just like your team and coaching staff. A few more wins by Paul Johnson and I’m sure you’ll continue to talk about how this game doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. What a joke.
It is spelled D-O-G, you don't look smarter by complicating it
November 27th, 2009
8:00 pm
Iz al UJEEAY gradjeates az smrt az yoo iz?
buzzgal
November 27th, 2009
8:00 pm
There haven’t been uga stickers in the bathrooms at Bobby Dodd since the 70’s – don’t include ancient history and make it sound like the present. Yes, we hate uga – probably because of all of the obnoxious uga fans we have to put up with all the time. A person can’t wear a GT shirt without some uga fan calling us names or barking in our face.
GT Alum
November 27th, 2009
8:02 pm
Nice glasses Bill. You better bring them to the game tomorrow so you can see your pretty boy coach expressionless on the sideline while Paul JOhnson is shoving his foot up Willie Martinez’s backside.
You ARE TERRIBLE. I can’t believe the AJC employs you to begin with, much less puts your Uncle Jessie “face shot” on your blogs.
45ACP
November 27th, 2009
8:02 pm
The Georgia Institute of Technology fan blog Ramblin On is the equivalent to the University or Georgia fan blog Junkyard Blawg.
There are 44 comments. 44 comments with a 10-1 team.
Simply amazing. But that is okay. We have a big tent that is all inclusive.
Uncle Jessie
November 27th, 2009
8:04 pm
Yeah, this game means nothing to us after that embarrassing loss at home against Kentucky. And after our “real” rival Florida beat us senseless earlier this year.
Don’t kid yourself Bill, this game means EVERYTHING to UGA this year. And you’re hillbilly arrss knows it.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:04 pm
MauiDAWG – The triple option reads, dive play, *are* much like other triple options; heck, Tech ran the T formation belly series in the early ’60s. Paul Johnson just has more variations, and the A back motion-toss is different from the ‘Bone, since they are on the wings. Also, the very wide splits of both split ends is different. I know you’ve seen Tech this year, so you may have seen the misdirection stuff added this year, and the quick-pitch plays.
Most screens are to a crossing A back behind a WR, who does a quick step-stop and then blocks. Some QB draws have been worked in.
When it’s going like clockwork, it’s a thing of beauty. When the defense gets quick penetration, the problems start. Georgia’s DL is big and physical. Some ACC teams DL were physical, but some were big and blobby.
I think it’s probably a close game.
Josh Nesbitt = The Next Tim Tebo for UGA
November 27th, 2009
8:06 pm
He will be 3-0 after next year against the Dawgs. Write it down and embrace it mutts.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:08 pm
45ACP – Yeah, there is the “official” Tech blog, but I feel I must support the AJC, since I’ve stopped home delivery and buy the Sunday paper at the grocery store. I’m not very officious, anyway.
dawggirl
November 27th, 2009
8:10 pm
Funny, one of my oldest and closest friends is a big Tech supporter (her dad was a professor there and her brothers went there), and she and I barely ever talk about UGA/Tech football. With us, there’s just a lot more to discuss with our families and friends in common. We each root for our teams, but we would never even think to give each other crap for a whole year. Her older brother, a Tech grad, married a UGA grad. You can say a lot of things, but I’ll speak for my fellow other female UGA grads. We’re damn good looking, at least that’s what my boyfriend tells me. And no, he didn’t go to UGA either. He goes to Northwestern – go Wildcats!
Anyway, because of her and her family, I do know there are civilized and intelligent Tech fans. From this blog, you’d never know it for the most part although I’ve been pleasantly surprised a few times recently.
Everything is cyclical. Yes, UGA is in a downward trend, but that’s not going to last for too long. After getting down about the season, I realize that after all, as much as an obsessed fan I am, it is still in the end just a game. I’m too happy in other areas of my life to get too depressed about it.
After watching the Bama/Auburn game, I’d like to think anything is possible for tomorrow. However, reality tells me Tech will win this game. By how much depends on how many mistakes UGA makes with turnovers and penalties, our favorite weapons this year.
I’ll root for UGA in the crap bowl we go to. I’ll root for Clemson. I’ll root for Bama over Florida, and I’ll root for Texas to win it all because 1) my mom went to Texas, and 2) Colt McCoy’s a sweetheart.
Go Dawgs! Always.
45ACP
November 27th, 2009
8:17 pm
Delbert – I stopped home delivery also. The Daily Tribune in Bartow County has replaced it.
I just can not believe the lack of support and excitement for a 10-1 team that is #7 in the country.
The Jackets should be off the wall with enthusiasm for their team.
It’s not there. The Jacket blogs are quiet. I don’t get it.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:24 pm
Thinking about this time tomorrow is too stressful, I need a break.
Two of the three Beloved teams haven’t looked so mighty this week. Can FSU turn up the mania and confabulate Florida? Greg Reid may decide that game.
That didn’t help like I thought it would. Where’s the Xanax?
Cuz
November 27th, 2009
8:29 pm
This goes out to both sides, enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPE5kWbTPIM&feature=fvw
Navigator
November 27th, 2009
8:29 pm
I can half agree with the idea that the Tech fans define their season by beating UGA. Right now the Tech players are concerned about beating Clemson and going to the Orange Bowl. This game with UGA came at an inopportune time, they don’t want to have a loss before the ACC championship game. Last year was fine to get the monkey off their back, this year losing would have a totally different meaning. Hey I read both the Tech and Your blog as well, and your fans are just as adamant about beating Tech, this facade you’re pulling because you might lose does not become you.
BuzztheKiller
November 27th, 2009
8:29 pm
Typical stereotypical UGA man- you speak of things which you do not have any understanding. You have no idea what happens at Tech during orientation or at any other time. Don’t pretend to be more than you are. True Tech fans love their team and their school (more love/hate for the school while a student), and hatred for UGA is only a part of a long tradition that goes back longer than any of us. It is a long, rich tradition that has many more facets than an annual game with UGA. It includes John Heisman, Bobby Dodd, and on and on. UGA has its own tradition, and that is fine and great. Just don’t minimize Tech’s tradition by claiming it is centered around obession with UGA. It is no more true than to say UGA is only obsessed with beating Tech. One game, important, yes. But one game. We have much bigger fish to fry this year than to place more importance on this game than it is.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:33 pm
45ACP – I did visit the Ramblin’ On blog earlier today, but it wasn’t the current one that comes up. I haven’t figured that out. Many of the posters are same as on the “front page” blogs like Bill’s. On the one I saw earlier, Chris Boggs threatened to block “m” if he didn’t stop posting the same stuff, you know, the cut and paste paragraphs that shows up every day.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:36 pm
45ACP – With the Marietta Daily Journal, we get AP stringer stuff, and typically 1 Georgia and 1 Tech article, again AP. Tons of Cobb County HS football, virtually nothing state-wide.
Wow
November 27th, 2009
8:37 pm
This is a severely flawed article. The fact of the matter is that the only 2 rivalries that really come close are Auburn and Florida. Florida, I’m sorry, that’s not a rivalry anymore. Hasn’t been for 20 years. Florida owns Georgia and I don’t think they care at all about Georgia anymore. Second is Auburn, and I am an Auburn fan (making me double-hate Georgia), but nothing really more than bragging rights rides on that game.
There’s a reason why UGA has GT scheduled last every season. There’s a reason why any true UGA fan would rather lose to Florida than to Tech. Is it general disrespect for GT’s football program that causes this to be true? Maybe, and the shallower of UGA fans would be quick to claim that. But what it really comes down to is hatred. GT ruined UGA’s season last year. Yeah, it had already fallen from being ranked no. 1. But losing to GT defined your season.
Trust me, and I say this in all honesty, that GT fans are already booked for Tampa and keeping our fingers crossed for Miami. We hate Georgia, but we’re doing our share of (well-earned) looking ahead. This article is a prime example of Georgia’s arrogance and terrible approach to fanhood. If you think you’re too good to care about GT, and would rather discount Tech’s importance than rally behind your team in its worst season in 15 years, then UGA’s should fire its fans and get some people with real perspective.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
Cuz – Yeah, baby! Yeah, Baby! That’s *my* music!
bulldawghuff
November 27th, 2009
8:39 pm
it spelled d-o-g, no im not a book worm ,but you get the point dawgs win ,so put that in yur nerd pipe and smoke it,and sunday morning please get on this post and say .the dawgs are superior.did i spell that right nerd?
dawggirl
November 27th, 2009
8:41 pm
“There’s a reason why UGA has GT scheduled last every season.”
Aren’t all the in-state rivalry games scheduled for the last game of the season? I’m genuinely asking, we don’t really have control over that, do we? Florida/Florida State, UNC/NC State, VA/Va Tech, etc. are all taking place tomorrow. It’s not a situation specific to our state.
GT
November 27th, 2009
8:45 pm
You want to know why UGA fans suck? Whenever UGA is good, and heavily favored, Tech fans still stay passionate and get pumped up for their season-finale against their in-state rivals. Whenever Tech is heavily favored, UGA gives up, spits on Tech’s program, throws their coaches under the buses, and treat the game of college football, and their biggest rivalry, with complete arrogance and disrespect. Which side do you want to be associated with?
Roddywillrapethepupsagain
November 27th, 2009
8:45 pm
Bulldawgstuff, did they teach your English 1 honors class that today, right before recess? Also it is it’s spelled not it spelled maybe they teach you that in English 2.
DawgBeater
November 27th, 2009
8:49 pm
Funny. Donnan lost 3 in a row to the Jackets and got fired. When Richt got hired he had a fan Q&A and I remember this very news paper quoting a lady saying “we don’t care what you do as long as you beat tech” And the rest of the crowd at the gathering went absolutely crazy.
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA.
Wow
November 27th, 2009
8:49 pm
No, dawggirl, its not some supernatural law of the universe. Many schools schedule their biggest rivalries throughout the middle of the season. However, every school that can claim to have one schedules their most-hated rival on the last week of the season. It’s all about tradition, anticipation, and excitement. UGA and UF could easily have the SEC reschedule their game, but Florida doesn’t want to and neither does Georgia. The two of them have been rivals because of their in-division head-to-head struggles to win the conference. When it comes down to it, each school really cares about their in-state rivals more. It’s the way it should be… your instate rival is usually one of the first teams you ever played against.
The fact that UGA fans think they’re above a rivalry like this is reason #1 why this team is already 6-5.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:51 pm
Dad-gummit! I just turned on Pitt-West Virginia, and it’s Bob Davie. Off with the sound again.
It is spelled D-O-G, you don't look smarter by complicating it
November 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
Bulldawghuff, it’s nice to see you are spelling at a 4th grade level now. I’m not a book worm either but I can at least read and convey my thoughts in a clear and coherent manner. Put that in your illiterate pipe and blow it out your ass.
Delbert D.
November 27th, 2009
8:57 pm
One high school 21 miles from Athens changed their team name to “BullDoggs”. It’s on the water tank.
dawggirl
November 27th, 2009
8:58 pm
I wasn’t asking about most hated rival. I was specifically asking about in-state, not GA vs. FLA.
Thanks for your answer, even if it wasn’t exactly polite. I certainly don’t speak for all UGA fans, but I’ve never said I was above this rivalry. I’m pretty sure Cuz hasn’t either. Or many others on this blog. But if you want to keep thinking it, that’s your perogative.
I don’t think any Tech fan has anything to worry about. You’ve had two weeks to prepare, you probably don’t even need to practice.
45ACP
November 27th, 2009
9:00 pm
It’s “put that in your pipe and smoke it”.
Cuz
November 27th, 2009
9:02 pm
From Joe Cox with a deep strike, baby.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5lIYpV8b54