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
Bill likes to play with cox
November 28th, 2009
7:51 am
and good luck on the coaching search next year as I’m sure the list of names will be very impressive just like last time when you had to settle for a coordinator instead of a proven winner.
Techster
November 28th, 2009
8:04 am
There is no way Ga. Tech should beat UGA regularly given the academic standards, size of schools, and alumni base that lives in state. Academic standards includes the fact that Tech does not alllow football players to take sports recreation janitorially services as a major and average SAT scores of football players. Look it up. But your point in its arrogant way, which I find humorous in its own right, is that Tech is just not the big game for UGA. Then you later degrade the offense we run when both of you coordinators are under fire. I will make a more rationale argument for you. Tech is not an SEC school and Georgia has dominated recently but let Tech blow Georgia out (which could happen) and given last years comeback and we will see, UGA football doesn’t look like it has any rivals right now, Florida is an annual beatdown and Kiffin beat you in his first year. Auburn is about where Georgia is right now – that game is meaningless to most about like Kentucky vs South Carolina. So Georgia better find somebody they can beat as a rival. If I were you, I would pick the little trade school from Atlanta who really cares more about academics, is smaller than you and lives in your neighborhood. Richt has been a good coach but this could be along decade for UGA VIII or whatever his name is.
Bill the hypocrite
November 28th, 2009
8:12 am
how in your previous boring post can you say that 2002 win against tech was your best memory in sanford and son, but discredit tech, hmmm? sandbagger!
Sober Tech Fan
November 28th, 2009
8:19 am
Strength of schedule……from the Sagarin ratings!
1 Alabama A = 93.75 11 0 71.13( 41) 1 0 | 4 0 | 93.86 1 | 93.11 2
2 Florida A = 93.43 11 0 70.11( 51) 0 0 | 2 0 | 93.40 3 | 92.92 3
3 TCU A = 91.41 11 0 69.37( 60) 0 0 | 3 0 | 91.33 4 | 90.93 4
4 Texas A = 91.38 11 0 69.73( 56) 0 0 | 3 0 | 88.80 6 | 94.21 1
5 Cincinnati A = 89.15 10 0 69.03( 65) 0 0 | 1 0 | 93.44 2 | 85.78 13
6 Oregon A = 88.84 9 2 76.69( 3) 0 1 | 4 2 | 87.76 7 | 89.44 6
7 Georgia Tech A = 88.16 10 1 74.99( 12) 1 0 | 3 1 | 88.80 5 | 87.03 8
8 Boise State A = 87.28 11 0 65.00( 96) 1 0 | 1 0 | 87.68 8 | 86.37 10
9 Virginia Tech A = 87.02 8 3 76.53( 5) 0 2 | 2 3 | 84.07 10 | 90.36 5
10 Ohio State A = 84.54 10 2 69.94( 54) 0 0 | 2 1 | 82.05 18 | 87.01 9
42 Georgia A = 76.99 6 5 74.73( 17) 0 1 | 1 3 | 77.50 36 | 75.96 42
UGAGS is 17 because they play Tech
Go DOGS
November 28th, 2009
8:25 am
Volman- and you are the Voltard that comes onto THIS UGA blog to talk smack on the GT/UGA rivalry game? Ummmm…you aren’t too smart are ‘ya. Uh Duh!
--I-,
November 28th, 2009
8:28 am
Hey Yellow Fuzz! What time will you be at the your “tailgate” at the baseball field by the 3rd base foul line pole? You WILL be wearing your “Yellow Fuzz was right” Tee-Shirt, right?
Jerry
November 28th, 2009
8:43 am
More UGA pyschobabble! Let Georgia lose to Tech this year and next and see how fast Mark Richt’s butt hits the road. I know it is not important to UGA to beat Tech but it is funny how serious the consequences of losing to Tech impact the Goergia coaching situation.
boohoo
November 28th, 2009
8:44 am
Let UGA continue to lose like they seem to do and you wont have to worry about UGA apparel, car tags, etc because the bandwagon ga fans dont like to lose. You could not find a ga fan before CMR came to athens,so they start winning some of the games they were not suppose too, obviously uga football could use some advice fr gt engineering dept on how to build a successful program. How can you call the FL game a rivalry when they have kicked your @$$ about 20 yrs. And again you ga fans deserve everything youve gotten this year.
DawgBite
November 28th, 2009
8:47 am
Yeah Techster that school of Management sure is challenging, You moron.
m
November 28th, 2009
8:50 am
You flatter yourselves too much.
As Tech fans we know that ugag SUCKS incredibly this year and most every year.
We know we have already played probably 8 or 9 teams better than ugag.
But we do enjoy stomping your sorry arses.
So no matter how much you cry and moan and groan….you are going to get your arses stomped.
And we are going to laugh at you….from now on.
Gen Neyland
November 28th, 2009
8:52 am
Com’on CPJ & GT’ers : Had your two SEC wins to date been over Alabama and Florida, I’d give you my respect. Truly, a win over a 6-5 UGA wouldn’t bolster it much. A little, but no great shakes…
It's so obvious
November 28th, 2009
8:54 am
It’s so obvious that pretending this rivalry doesn’t matter is the last, pathetic attempt by Georgia fans to defy Tech before today’s game.
It’s the oldest trick in the book, except that y’all are adding a twist. Instead of pretending like the game doesn’t matter after you get beat, you have the foresight to do it before the game. That’s confidence in your team.
You know what the idea you are expressing means? Georgia’s falling asleep at the wheel. If you don’t mind getting beaten two years in a row (with a future GT streak well-within strike since Georgia just keeps getting worse) by your instate rival, then you deserve the pits that your program is moving towards. Paul Johnson’s in the state and there is no argument that he won’t take Tech back to the top. Mark Richt has grown lazy, complacent, and has no tough credibility to whip his sorry team into shape.
If Tech fans were like UGA fans, in a few years, I bet it’ll be GT fans that start considering dropping UGA from the schedule. Except we don’t. Because while you’ve had a good program and have set your sights to more-national goals, you’ve forgotten the rivalries and struggles that have defined both programs. This is what college football is about. In-state, cross-town, family-dividing hate. I’m an Auburn fan and I feel it with Alabama. Alabama has had way more success than Georgia yet they still prioritize the little brother in their state. That’s why I’ve always held UGA fans in the lowest regard, and that’s why the Aub – UGA and GT – UGA games are the biggest two of my year.
GT Pollwrecker
November 28th, 2009
8:55 am
Bill – you are probably like most uga fans…you didn’t go to school there, have no real connection (other than their tattoo) and probably never even visited the campus. The obnoxious sense of self-entitlement and lack of humility is enough to make any GT fan hate uga. We’re about to reach the 30th anniversary of Herschel’s nat’l championship and uga fans act like they are shocked every year since that they didn’t play in the championship game and now they are getting farther away than getting closer. GO JACKETS!
Damon Evans
November 28th, 2009
8:57 am
If Tech fans are so smart, why then did you all fall for the bait set in this article??
It's so obvious
November 28th, 2009
8:59 am
We know its bait, but there’s no turning an opportunity down for thrashing into you guys on gameday!
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA
DawgBite
November 28th, 2009
9:00 am
Then take your azz on over to a spelling bee or something Techster. You sissies have been using that as an excuse for losing since day one. We never hear Duke, Vandy, Stanford,…real academic schools whining like little bitc%s do we. And then we have that matter of the biggest academic fraud case in ACC history. GT has a dummy curriculum just like everybody else. In your case it’s called the School of Management. 3/4 of your football players can’t find a classroom with a GPS. Man up sissy.
Reggie Ball
November 28th, 2009
9:06 am
I tried to go to clas but day tol me my clas were in the 4th building on da right. How could I ever find dat.
GT Rules State
November 28th, 2009
9:11 am
Bill King, sorry dude … but the game today isn’t our most important one. Your just a mutt on the way to something that really matters. We’ll see how important it is to UGAy fans when they get their a$$ handed to them.
boohoo
November 28th, 2009
9:12 am
Perhaps CMR is getting his spray tan done while pregame is going on . Obviously hes nowhere to be found to address the team on some small issues PENALTIES. Pathetic, too bad they should have chose Griffin as the site of the uga.
GT Rules State
November 28th, 2009
9:13 am
Prayer answered … Reggie’s @ UGA now. UGA will want to retire Cox’s jersey today. GT will not want to see Opie go.
Porty
November 28th, 2009
9:17 am
Says the man who’s dedicated 3 different blogs to Georgia Tech. Irony, you name is Bill King. What a joke.
Robert
November 28th, 2009
9:18 am
Think about it morons. You in particular GT Rules State. UGA coaches get fired for losing to GT because it is the biggest embarrassment a team can endure. Getting beat by Tech is the ultimate humiliation because you are just pitiful year in and year out. Bottom feeders.
Kevin
November 28th, 2009
9:26 am
Already making excuses. How can you say that playing Florida is more important when you know the outcome (17 losses out of the last 20)?
At least you have a year over chance against Tech, except ofr this year. Paul Johnson is the real deal and UGA fans should finally pay some attention to the TECH program becasue if they don’t TECH is going to pass them by.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
9:33 am
It’s amazing to me how people will get on these blogs (or even on sports talk radio) and spout off like an absolute idiot. On the Tech side, we’ve got m and YELLOW FUZZ. On the UGA side, there’s DawgBite, Saint Simons. I’m convinced that these guys know little to nothing about football, and even less about their respective schools. I wish the AJC would kick them off the blog pages so the rest of us could carry on reasonable conversations without all the mud-slinging and insults.
I mentioned talk radio because yesterday on one of the Atlanta stations I heard some “expert” describing UGA’s offensive performance against Kentucky as “run, run, pass, punt”. He railed against the Dogs because their play calling was so predictable and their performance so poor. I suppose it escaped his attention that the Dogs put up nearly 500 yards of offense, compared to 260 for the Wildcats. Frankly, without the four second-half turnovers, that game would have been a cakewalk win for Georgia.
Seriously, if you’re going to make comments, do the research and make the FACTUAL comments. For Tech fans … recognize that Georgia does in fact recruit some pretty intelligent players (including our own Josh Nesbitt, Jonathan Dwyer, and Stephen Hall). For Dog fans, recognize the Tech’s management school is actually ranked higher than UGA’s School of Business at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
This weekend gives us a chance to celebrate some “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate”. Let’s support our teams and their respective institutions without all the lying, insults, and animosity.
HT
November 28th, 2009
9:41 am
It is time for Richt to go!
Trade School Junkie
November 28th, 2009
9:42 am
Yo, Junkyard Blawb:
Wear Black today for the Dawgs next “funeral” tonight.
GT Rules State
November 28th, 2009
9:43 am
Robert, Robert, Robert … looks like you’re gonna be replacing your coaches for a long time coming. Btw, Walmart in L’ville has greatly discounted all their UGA t-shirts and hats cause it’s not selling. Now is your time, go stack up.
Robert
November 28th, 2009
9:44 am
DawgBite told the absolute truth Flowery Branch. He just has a unique way of saying it. The academic excuse that is the mantra of all GT fans from birth is BS and the whole football universe knows it.
Keith
November 28th, 2009
9:44 am
This is quite hilarious. I’m sure it’s just coincidence that an article like this is published in a year when the Daawaags are about to get beaten by a total “non-rival” for the second year in a row, and for the forseeable future. Come back and write this entry again after having a losing record to the Ramblin’ Wreck over the next thirty years—yeah, methinks your perspective would be somewhat different.
Rationalize much? Hey, but whatever you gotta tell yourself to keep from drinking yourself into a blinding, sobbing stupor!
Robert
November 28th, 2009
9:46 am
After tonight GT hats will be free. They’ll be all over Atlanta’s roadways after the game. Why do you think so many homeless folks are wearing GT hats?
Robert
November 28th, 2009
9:48 am
At least you write from experience Keith. Tech fans know the feeling. 40 years of mediocrity has taught them well.
GT Rules State
November 28th, 2009
9:52 am
Keith, agreed … this blog’s for the unrealistic UGAyers to find something they can hold to. They are really grasping for respect. Outta here.
CR
November 28th, 2009
9:58 am
Typical column from an inbred rube. Most Georgia fans have never left the state and if they did they would realize that their institution, on a national level, is a complete joke.
David Connelly
November 28th, 2009
10:01 am
I am a Tech graduate, and it is funny to me to see GA fans who think they know how Tech fans think.
I have GA fans for friends and we root for each others teams except when we play each other.
There are other teams we like less that GA. It is testimony to their giant, egos that some GA fans think Tech is defined by GA.
We are looking forward to the ACC championship. For most of us, this is just another game.
DoctorC
November 28th, 2009
10:02 am
Mr. T – Bill King does not speak for all UGA alumni and fans in his assessment. I have steadfastly proclaimed that I would rather lose every game of the year and beat Tech than win every game and lose to Tech. In spite of our self-destructing, undisciplined team this year at UGA, we can still celebrate a good season with a victory tonight. I have proclaimed openly to Tech friends for over 50 years that I always pull against Tech regardless of who they are playing. I acknowledge Tech is a fine trade school, but in terms of sports rivalry, I hate losing to Tech more than all other schools combined. I am glad that today it is harder to be accepted academically at UGA than at Tech because for decades Tech nerds would spout about “academic superiority” while they were consistently losing athletic contests with UGA. I regret your family members and friends were not honest enough with you growing up to admit they also hated Tech, but you should forgive them because they may have felt pity on you. I am actually very glad Tech exists because without it, I could never have enjoyed so many UGA/Tech football games. (My favorite will always be 51 – 7 when Tech QUIT!) Assuming you are over 25, you must face the harsh reality that when you leave this life, UGA will still have more wins than Tech in this clean, old fashioned hate rivalry. There is nothing you can do to change this reality, so accept it and enjoy the occasional GT win along the way.
Buzz Belle
November 28th, 2009
10:04 am
Mmmmm, I think Tech is increasing UGA’s SOS aren’t they? That is the last favor we give you this year guys. If you have write blogs like this to fire up your fan base because you know what is about to happen in 10 hours, then I would say Tech is a HUIGE game to your players. Ask the seniors if this isn’t their biggest game.
jason
November 28th, 2009
10:12 am
Finally got around to reading Bil King’s article. I think that Tech is one of UGA’s biggest rivals. I also think it has dropped in importance because of the past 7 years of winning by UGA. Even in wins, it is rarely a blow out. Another win by Tech this year will be one step closer to making this a “Big Time” rivalry again. As Tech has dropped in importance after UGA’s success, the same can be said of UGA in reference to UF. After all, UGA has gone through 3 HCs and still beat UF only 3 out of 20. By saying that, it means Tech is a closer rival than UF. Perhaps UGA’s biggest rival is Auburn, eventhough it is more a game of respect and I would guess admiration rather than hate. In the SEC, UGA has rivals almost every week such as AUB, UF, Tenn, USCe, and to some extent LSU. As for Tech, I don’t know as much about their history, but I would think in the ACC, they don’t have those types of teams to have those types of relationships with. From what I could tell in the 90’s when FSU joined the ACC, I thought that would have developed into a big rivalry. I would also think the Clemson game would be a huge rival game for Tech. In the end, doesn’t really matter. It is UGA/ Tech tonight. May we have a good hard fight close game, and may noone get hurt, Hope everyone had a good and Happy Thanksgiving, yes even the Tech fans.
Californiasam
November 28th, 2009
10:17 am
I moved here from California, and I have no “dog” in this fight, but after comparing GA fans and GA Tech fans, I must say, the GA fans seem so much more obnoxious and insane than the GA Tech fans. What is it with you GA fans? Inbreeding? Poor home life?
And you say Florida is a “bigger rival”? From what I’ve seen your GA team NEVER beats Florida. Strange. Don’t you have to win occassionally to be a “rival”?
jason
November 28th, 2009
10:21 am
Californiasam, True. We beat UF like once every Blue Moon.
Lynnie
November 28th, 2009
10:34 am
Go-o-o-o-o Georgia Bulldawgs! Woof-Woof-Woof – Sic ‘em…KILL BUZZ!
GTOldSchool21
November 28th, 2009
10:34 am
Probably the dumbest article by the AJC’s dumbest writer ever. Of course we hate Georgia. It started over 100 years ago. It’s called history…and it makes for some great fun, great games, and great stories. What are you gonna write about next…how UGA got their school colors? Or…how UGA ended up in Athens?..what could be more obvious than Tech hating UGA? UGA has 3X the students and fan base, program funding, and ability to recruit 5 start talent. We are short handed by comparison plus our kids are in pursuit of a degree that demands effort and time. Thus, we are constantly doing more with less…which is why Tech grads succeed on the field and in life…..
MythBuster
November 28th, 2009
10:36 am
So, I guess UGA looks at Tech the same way Florida looks at UGA then, correct? I wonder how much longer it will be before schools start scheduling UGA for their homecoming?
And you wonder why Tech fans hate UGA? Garbage articles like this pretty much sum it up.
Williams
November 28th, 2009
10:39 am
As an outsider living in Atlanta the past 10 years, I have noticed a few things. This claim that UGA doesn’t care about the GT rivalry is a bigger flip flop than the wavering we saw from Obama and McCain a year ago. When UGA was beating up on GT for those 7 straight years, UGA fans walked with their heads held high, talking trash at every opportunity they had. And now, 1 year removed from a loss to their “rival”, and in the midst of a mediocre season and another possible loss to GT, UGA fans claim this game is just another game for them. Total BS. If this game doesn’t mean a lot to you, then stop flaming your message boards about it, stop posting blogs about the game, just stop everything. I guarantee if UGA pulls a miracle upset tonight, they will start caring again.
1905
November 28th, 2009
10:46 am
What an idiot. Bill should be next in the long line of Dawg fans laid off.
Rob2595
November 28th, 2009
10:49 am
Some of you Tech fans call this article garbage but I can prove it’s truth. Every Tech fan I talked to said last season was a good season at 9-4. You got the a better bowl and beat UGA in Athens even made rings about it. In contrast Richt’s first season all UGA fans wondered if we just got rid of a middle of the road coach in Donnan for another one. Richt went 8-4 but we did end a three year skid again GT and we did it by 14 points at North Ave. Our season was not considered a success and no rings were made to recognize our win against a non SEC opponent. It was a nice win and good to get bragging rights back but we did not make rings or tear up your field as some of your players did last season.
Face it, it is just little brother syndrome and you get all gitty the very once and a while you win. We just expect to win more of these and it will take more than one or two wins to change that. Now if you win this season and then win again next season then it does become an issue.
Jus Wait!!!
November 28th, 2009
10:52 am
To all you Techies out there, why not jus shut the hell up??? This game is ONLY important to us because of ALL THE TRASH talk y’all have done all year over 3 POINTS!!! We’ve had a bad year for once(y’all would know more bout bad yrs than us) and u made it out as if it was the championship u won. So jus face it, your not and NEVER will be important to us!!!
TD
November 28th, 2009
10:57 am
By football standards it’s not a rivalry when 1 team has been so dominant. The rivalry is among the fans. Tech fans are an insufferable lot even without football. One win over UGA and you’d never know which team has only 13 wins since 1964.
Big time?? Not
November 28th, 2009
10:58 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes
pilgrim
November 28th, 2009
11:02 am
“THWG” in the fight song is about DISMISSAL of Georgia. It does not define Tech’s purpose. The thesis put forward by this post is simply Georgia fans looking for a way to scorn Tech when they have precious little to feel good about right now.
HelluvaEngineer
November 28th, 2009
11:03 am
While the rivalry game may mean more to Tech than U[sic]GA by your (preposterous) logic, consider what football means to each. Tech fans like the game, but have better things to do with their time. U[sic]GA fans tend to surround their otherwise dull and void lives with the accomplishments of college football. It is their life. And nothing is more tragic than a life without meaning.