Fan talk: Can a true UGA fan ever pull for Tech against anybody?
Ben Jones celebrates Georgia's 2009 win over Tech at Grant Field. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
OK, here’s your quickie post-Thanksgiving summation of Georgia vs. Georgia Tech:
In-state rivals. Nation’s No. 2 rushing offense meets No. 2 rushing defense. Uh-oh, triple option. Cut-blocking. Who can play tailback? Which Aaron Murray shows up for this game (the one who tore Auburn apart or the erratic one against Kentucky)? Will the Jackets continue to put it on the ground? What about Harton and Malcome? Will the Dogs be looking ahead to the Dome? Does anyone other than the Tech band still play the Budweiser theme?
Bottom line: If Georgia wins the turnover ratio, Georgia wins the game.
Now, before you tuck into another one of those turkey sandwiches, let’s get to some Junkyard Mail. …
Jackie Grimes writes: I know you’ve made it pretty clear over the years that like most Georgia fans now you can’t stand Georgia Tech. But have you never rooted for the Jackets at any time? Not even against Notre Dame in 1980 when Tech tying the Irish elevated the Dawgs to No. 1?
I have to admit I’ve always relished the irony that the Jackets were responsible for the Dogs first topping the polls in 1980. But, no, I didn’t root for Tech to win that game. I didn’t pull for the Irish to win, either. I was too fixated on what was going on in Jacksonville. But the end result, a tie that helped Georgia, couldn’t have been more perfect. I’ve actually never rooted for the Jackets. I know a lot of Georgia fans of my Dad’s era pulled for the Jackets except when the played the Dogs, but I never could contain the rivalry to just one week. To me, the perfect day is a Georgia win and a Tech loss. Any day. Any sport.
In reply to my list earlier this week of favorite Georgia wins over Tech, Jon from Savannah writes: Thanks for the memories. To this day, I still look for the long ball on the opening play of the game like the one in 1981 to Lindsay Scott. Too sweet of a memory. One of my favorite plays of all time. And Reggie Ball. No Georgia fan can forget him.
Ah, Reggie Ball. The gift to Georgia from Chan Gailey that just kept on giving!
Timothy Hyman wrote to share his favorite Georgia-Georgia Tech memories, which included this: 1997 in Atlanta. I was at the game with my Dad in the Tech section. He went to Tech and worked there. So [we] were in enemy territory. Tech scored to take 24-21 but Bobo led UGA down the field. On fourth down Tech called for pass interference after they thought they had stopped us. Bobo throws touchdown to snatch victory when everyone thought we had lost. [I was] jumping up and down in a sea of gold. The looks on everyone’s faces around us … priceless.
A great day, for sure.
Scott Watson writes: Bill, I believe the team should wear something Saturday on the jersey or helmet to honor Larry Munson. He would hate it, but I think it’s the thing to do. We need to also honor him by totally demolishing Tech. Your thoughts? And Walker Garrett adds: Wouldn’t it be cool if the Dawgs wore jerseys with “Munson” on the back of all them, as a tribute to Larry! [The way the military] academies wear USA, Honor, Bravery, etc. on the back of their jerseys.
I definitely think the Dogs should honor Munson and Mark Richt has indicated that they will, with some sort of decal on the helmets. What it will be, they haven’t said. I’ve heard speculation ranging from Munson’s initials to a cigar to a microphone. But I know what I think would be perfect for the decal: a hobnail boot!
Justin Cade writes: Bill, I’m going to my first game at Tech this Saturday. Assuming you’ve seen the Dawgs at Bobby Dodd before. Are you aware of any decent pregame activities in the area? Are any of the local establishments relatively Dawg-friendly? Thanks for any advice you (or any of the other readers) might have. Go Dawgs!
I don’t really know of any pregame activities. After the 2009 game, I did really enjoy seeing the glum faces on all those Tech fans on the walk back to the MARTA station. As for the most Dawg-friendly place to grab a bite around the Joke by Coke, I’d say the Varsity would probably be your best bet. You’ll probably see as many folks there in red and black as in Tech colors.
UPDATE: Just got word of this today: The crew from “1980 Dawgs” will once again be joined by Georgia football legends Scott Woerner, Rex Robinson and possibly other members of the 1980 team at the Varsity on North Avenue before and after the game on Saturday, where they will be meeting fans, signing copies of “1980 Dawgs” DVDs and talking Georgia football. That’s Saturday, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and right after the game for two hours.
David writes: Can anyone tell me why the cutoff for orders to the SEC Championship was last week before they even beat Kentucky? And why season ticket holders were not even notified? UGA has lost a supporter.
I’d have to say your devotion to UGA wasn’t very deep if that’s all it takes to lose you. But to answer your question, they offered Bulldog Club members (Hartman Fund donors aka season ticket holders) the chance to place orders for SEC championship tickets in advance (just like they do with all the possible bowl destinations) in order to be able to process them quickly once it was official. And if you’re a season ticket holder and you didn’t get either an email (several, actually) or something in the mail, then you ought to check with the folks at the Bulldog Club office in Athens and see whether they have your correct contact information. By the way, on Wednesday they announced the Hartman Fund cumulative contribution cutoff points for the 16,000 tickets Georgia is allotted to the SEC game. All contributors who ordered with a cumulative score of 100,000 and higher will receive up to 6 tickets. All contributors who ordered with a cumulative score between 52,500-99,999 will receive up to 4 tickets. And all contributors who ordered with a cumulative score between 12,050-52,499 will receive up to 2 tickets. UGA faculty, staff and students also were eligible for tickets, depending on various priority factors. The tickets were put into the mail Wednesday via the U.S. Postal Service.
Brian Cheshire writes: Hey Junkyard, I was just wondering if you have heard anything about Coach Richt stepping down after this year? If so why is he telling these recruits (Theus, Marshall) he is going to be there?
You’re referring to the rumor reported this week by GamingToday.com that claimed Richt would voluntarily leave Georgia at the end of the season. I put no credence in the report, which cited “sources in the South Carolina/Georgia area.” Hmm. South Carolina? Think anyone there might want to manufacture a rumor about the coach of the team that aced out the Gamecocks for the SEC East? The report, which didn’t have any credibility to spare, pretty much veered off into fantasy land when it said that the top candidates to replace Richt were Mike Bobo and Derek Dooley. And when Richt was asked this week on local radio whether the rumor was true, he indicated he wants to coach about another nine years and isn’t looking to leave UGA.
Charles from Albany writes: Bill, I was thinking about this after the weekend upsets. If instead of UGA playing Boise State in the opener, [they had gone] ahead with playing and beating Louisville, where do you think we would be in the discussion of one-loss teams playing for the BCS Championship? Love the Blawg.
Thanks. If Georgia had not lost to Boise State and was the SEC champion then, yes, I think a one-loss UGA might well have made the BCS championship. But no use thinking about might-have-beens. As it is, if Georgia wins out and is the SEC champion, the conference likely will get three teams into the BCS.
Tyler Knight writes: Bill, what are your thoughts on Ken Malcome? When he runs, he looks like a legit running back. I know he had the bad fumble, but he looks much more like an SEC running back than Brandon Harton or even Carlton Thomas. I think we should have given him more playing time.
You generally win playing time in practice and Malcome obviously did not impress Georgia’s coaches as much as Richard Samuel or Thomas did. From what little I’ve seen of him running, I’d say he had the potential to possibly be as useful as Samuel, assuming he could hold on to the ball, but he hasn’t developed the consistency the coaches were looking for. If he sticks around the program, who knows?
Finally, Brett Lassiter writes: Blair Walsh’s field goal game went into the tank this year, practically forcing the offense to make more plays in the clutch (not that UGA Nation preferred FGs to TDs). What I have noticed, though, is that his extra point game has still been pretty much dead center. What do you think are the chances that Blair has been throwing FGs in order to get the offense to do more?
A lot of folks love conspiracy theories but I’m not seeing Walsh on the grassy knoll in this case.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
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234 comments Add your comment
CHDawg
November 25th, 2011
7:52 am
Well, all of us fans are entitled to our little opinions, and I’m with Tyler Knight on Malcome. Malcome is one to watch. Maybe the groin slowed his progression, but I think he has tremendous potential. Crowell is quicker, but Malcome looks to run harder. Malcome does need experience, confidence and more time in S&C, but he looks the most like an Ingram/Richardson type back of all the Dawgs imo. I think he might be our best bet against a Bama or LSU. I would certainly use Crowell the most, but I would see what Boo could do. Crowell’s unique gifts are his vision and quick cutting ability, and they are special. Samuel has the best physical attributes, but he still isn’t quite there on body lean, balance and leverage. His clear improvement by the UF game shows he is definitely worth watching. He could become a monster. Malcome’s frame, vision, lean and running instinct can’t be hidden–he looks like a natural to me. I did think it was interesting that CMR said Malcome didn’t get much work last week before the KY game. Being down the list, losing Thomas at the last second, and the game time Crowell injury all meant he got in very cold. I thought he continued to look better as the game went on, and CMR said he got a lot of work this week. I hope they put him in to try and hammer the Jacket D. What we can’t see is attitude, and Bill has a point: the coaches want to win, and so far they haven’t given him much of a look outside of practice. Maybe they made up their minds when he was hurt, maybe he still isn’t 100%, and maybe he isn’t that good. However, I can name several NFL TBs that the staff didn’t fully appreciate while they were at UGA. Again, just fan banter on my part before the big game. Putting it on the ground is definitely a ticket straight to the pine. Go Dawgs.
bubba4dawgs
November 25th, 2011
8:00 am
I still say change Crowell’s # to zero leaving #1 open for an incoming RB who can perform. Make them earn #1. This should be a clear message to the team who’ll be glad to support #1 if he is legit. GO DAWGS!!!!
CHDawg
November 25th, 2011
8:00 am
I’ve softened through the years. I pull for Tech when they don’t play UGA. I really like watching them play. Something about those 65-48, basketball type scores that makes for an exciting game to watch. An option team is putting up those numbers! I wasn’t as gracious years ago!
bubba4dawgs
November 25th, 2011
8:00 am
Oh, by the way……bye Thomas!! Go break rules somewhere else!!
CHDawg
November 25th, 2011
8:04 am
Another point: the higher the rank of our opponents, the better we do in BCS if we win. All the talk about us only beating unranked teams is a good point, but if we had beaten SC and BSU, I doubt either team would be in the top 20. Something to think about because if a team beats a sound team like UGA, they tend to rank high.
AthensDawg
November 25th, 2011
8:06 am
As contrary as it seems, it suits me for Tech to loose, but even better to go11-1 every year. That one loss to UGA is all that much sweeter!
DollarDawg43
November 25th, 2011
8:16 am
I don’t even pay attention to GT until Thanksgiving for the same reason I don’t pay attention to VMI, Colorado State, Wyoming, etc. I happily admit I am obsessed with all things UGA (I’m a third generation DAWG) but that fixation takes up my “sports time” during football season. I don’t leave room for anyone else.
In fact, the reason I logged on this morning was too see if there are any running back updates for the good guys. I know we had a morning practice Thursday. Does anyone know anything about the condition of Crowell and/or the Thomas situation?
61-39-5 vs Tech- 48-40-2 vs Florida
November 25th, 2011
8:19 am
I’d pull for Tech against Florida.
WhoLetThemDawgsOut
November 25th, 2011
8:26 am
Hell no! If UGA holds the nerds to less than 200 yards rushing, it will be a blowout! Tech’s defense should provide Murray with a career day.
Johnny come lately
November 25th, 2011
8:27 am
When y’all suc that sec Wang, do u swallow? Go back to wal mart u bunch of ‘tards. Your lives are terrible
RedandBlackDawg
November 25th, 2011
8:44 am
BTP 11:12,
Is the column not called “The Junkyard Blawg”? In case your small mind can not grasp it, that means the BLAWG is about the UGA DAWGS. What in world would you expect it to be about. Would you expect it to all negative about the DAWGS and all positive about the other teams. They have meds for your kind of delusional thinking. You say you don’t have a favorite team and the Fans of UGA are this and that. Give me a break here fellow. Your gold and white boxers are sticking out of your pants. If the fact that UGA fans are fanatical about their team and that bothers you, don’t read or come onto a a column that is devoted to UGA.
Logic, it would appear will never be something you prize highly as a necessary tool in your life.
GO DAWGS and GATA
A bitter pill
November 25th, 2011
8:48 am
LSU 35, Georgia 10
FinanceBuzz
November 25th, 2011
8:50 am
Tech fans hope Mark Richt stays at UGAg another nine years too! That’s the silver lining to the Mutts winning the SEC Least this year with their cupcake schedule – locking down Mark Richt! With Florida or Kentucky’s UGAg would be on a coaching search come Monday.
tony
November 25th, 2011
8:52 am
I was a tech fan when Eddie Lee Ivery played back in the day but I became a dawgs fan when Herschel Walker played. I like Tech and the Dawgs but I like the Dawgs a little more. I hope college football stays competive because the NFL is BORING!
Pulpwud Smiff
November 25th, 2011
8:52 am
The athletic history of UGA is full of so many sordid, sleazy incidents – dating back to Vince Dooley and continuing through Mark Richt – that it’s impossible to overlook. The school has come to stand for drunkenness and lawlessness, coddling of illiterate low-class athletes who should never have been admitted to college, and rampant cheating by coaches.
UGA and Mark Richt are an affront and an embarrassment to all decent people in this state.
DaltonDawg
November 25th, 2011
8:59 am
If Ga Tech was playing the Taliban, I’d wrap my head in a turban and ride a camel to the game. Can’t ever see pulling for the “learn a trade so you won’t be a drain on society” school.
HJ
November 25th, 2011
9:00 am
yeah you really played against some stiff comp uga to get those stats. gonna be funny to watch lsu pound you 45-7
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
9:02 am
Whatever Tech does week in and week out has never mattered to me one way or the other. Why should it? They are usually no good unless they are playing the usual cupcakes and they struggle in the ACC. I do watch them because they are an opponent but, root for them? Not on your life. Hope they lose? Not even close. I’d have to care for that. I don’t
coachx
November 25th, 2011
9:04 am
I pull for Tech but not all the time. I like for them to have 7 or 8 wins when its time for the annual UGA / Tech game so that is means something. Beating a losing team means nothing.
Brad
November 25th, 2011
9:08 am
You’re an idiot redneck then dalton.
Border dweller
November 25th, 2011
9:14 am
I’d pull for tech if they played Flroida. Other than that, if they played Satan and the Sons of Darkness, I’d get a pitchfork and some stick-on horns and root for The Fallen One.
ROCK DAWG
November 25th, 2011
9:26 am
You NEVER pull for tech under any circumstances .
swimdawg68
November 25th, 2011
9:29 am
I wouldn’t pull for Tech in any sport at any time. If they were playing the Taliban, I’d pull for the Taliban
North ave. faithful
November 25th, 2011
9:33 am
Dawg in the keys, perhaps if possible god will bless you on day with a child that has poor vision at an early age and also a skin condition so adults can laugh at him also. good greif!
James
November 25th, 2011
9:34 am
Enter your comments here
James
November 25th, 2011
9:36 am
To Helll With Tech! I would never pull for those terrorists, I don’t care if the Dawgs needed them to win to go to the NC, couldn’t and wouldn’t do it.
Bark Madley
November 25th, 2011
9:38 am
Uga fans are bigots. Read their posts.
andy in suwanee
November 25th, 2011
9:39 am
Simply, if you don’t want us on your blog, don’t write about us. Hard to call us obsessed. That said, here’s to no injuries and a good game tomorrow.
OoltewahDawg
November 25th, 2011
9:40 am
All of this hyperbole aside, I learned late yesterday that my nephew who is an e4 specialist with the 101st Division in Afghanistan escaped serious injury along with his unit yesterday.He and 5 other soldiers were traveling in an armored vehicle and ran over an IED. The vehicle was severely jarred and immobilized, and everyone was banged up in varying degrees, but no shrapnel penetrated through the armour. My nephew is being evaluated for a concussion, and only one other soldier was hurt a little worse than that. He called my sister yesterday and told her about it so she wouldn’t hear it from someone else first.
Let’s all pause for a little bit and put a post up if you have a relative in harm’s way, and everyone please stop and say a prayer for all of them.
My nephew Brett, Afghanistan
RS Dawg
November 25th, 2011
9:41 am
I was for Tech once. They were an underdog in the Liberty bowl and a guy by the name of Jack Stevens was the QB because Eddie McShan(sic) had been suspended. Tech won. Of course, I would not do that again!
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
9:42 am
RS Dawg
WOW! Tech won a bowl game?
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
9:43 am
Ooltewah
My prayers there guy.
OoltewahDawg
November 25th, 2011
9:45 am
Folks, also, if someone in your family has made the ultimate sacrifice, post their names, too.
gt79
November 25th, 2011
9:46 am
and no real Tech fan would ever pull for UGAG…
DIT
November 25th, 2011
9:46 am
I love it when tech people say they want CMR to stay around and then continue to rip into him. CMR has a better record against tech than Dooley so far. Going by trends that would mean if CMR coaches another 9 years his record against tek WILL be 18 for 19… Yeah, I would want that coach around as well……
Then you have the ones that live through other teams success because tek has no success against UGA.
I just has to stink being a tek fan…. right FinanceBuzz? Go cry on your own blog
DIT
November 25th, 2011
9:47 am
@gt79
No one asked or cares what you think
hirsutedawg
November 25th, 2011
9:50 am
Only want Tech to win if it directly helps UGA and even then I’m pulling for the other team to lose, not for Tech to win.
Ringleader
November 25th, 2011
9:51 am
buba4dawgs……..
Thomas was caught with a nekkid woman in his room………
Grizzard would have given him a trophy…..only Penn State would suspend him…….and then, Garcia had two of them.
You need to go back and continue your Jan Kemp letter campaign.
Ol' Dawg
November 25th, 2011
9:58 am
This is “good old fashion hate” personified! The day before the Tech-GA game, chests poking out, shouts, jokes and rude remarks. It goes on in AL, SC, FL and many other places. Just rivalry and some real hatred.
As a GA native, UGA alum and a real fan, I have almost always pulled for Tech when playing other teams. They have the name “Georgia” on their school.
I love the Dawgs as much and maybe more than most, but feel it all has to be in perspective. The Dawgs have had a tough time this year overall, but tough people rise up. This they have done. I hope they continue to do so in the next few weeks and in a decent bowl. I hope Tech does well also – next season! GO DAWGS!
Oh, and for all you Alabama fans that posted here, don’t forget your tough times pre-Saban. Weren’t so high and mighty then, huh?
John
November 25th, 2011
9:59 am
In my heaven there are no UGA fans…that includes family members and friends that root for the cesspool. Here’s to hoping my heaven is reality.
phildo
November 25th, 2011
10:03 am
Tech played the Soviet Union in basketball a few years back. I pulled for the USSR because they had two players from Georgia!
GT is 4th rate high school team
November 25th, 2011
10:04 am
GT alums says they are earning higher than UGA alums, in my work place they are earning the crumbs. Those GT whatever are intelligent and classy fools. LOL
andy in suwanee
November 25th, 2011
10:08 am
That was funny, Phildo.
GT is 4th rate high school team
November 25th, 2011
10:09 am
The only support GT nerds should get from anybody is a thorough and literal beating.
Freddy Blassie
November 25th, 2011
10:11 am
Oh yeah, isn’t GrantThumb the grown man who yells at 18 and 19 year old kids? Blowhard pansy, mess with someone who is not a kicker. He is a wussy.
OoltewahDawg
November 25th, 2011
10:11 am
@ jeffery – there’s some in every crowd.
@Pulpwud – Every team has its thugs.
@ Bark – Have you seen some of the stuff Tech fans said about Munson ?(On the Stinger Talk boards, I believe) Downright shameful!
@ John- I don’t think we will find any football fans in heaven (not that there aren’t former fans there, it’s just not important enough in the scheme of things.
JAWJeRDAWG
November 25th, 2011
10:13 am
I pull for GT every week prior to the Thanksgiving weekend for a reason:
I want their win / loss record to be the best possible going into our annual rivalry game.
I want them undefeated with a perceived assurance and high-hopes for a victory over UGA.
That makes the bragging rites that much sweeter when we do beat them, and the trash talk (usually) quieter for the following year!
That’s just my reasoning; loving any and every win over GT.
Hope both teams play their best with no injuries; we’ll need everyone healthy next week in the SECCG!
Go Dawgs! and beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets tomorrow!
Destin Dawg
November 25th, 2011
10:13 am
I try to pull for GT except of course against UGA and also FSU… I just wish there were not so many negative haters on UGA blogs.. suspected Techies ??
@Tech Fans
November 25th, 2011
10:21 am
If Bill’s blog hurts your feelings so much, why do you conveniently find your way to a UGA blog? Think about that one. And for the Tech fans throwing out insults, like UGA is racist, get a life. People who throw out insults are only deflecting their own insecurities. There is a reason why UGA fans and fans across the nation don’t take Tech fans serious.
RedandBlackDawg
November 25th, 2011
10:30 am
I used to be of the mind set that Tech. was a Georgia school and therefore, except when they played my DAWGS I would hope they won. This year though, it appears that their fans have taken ignorant to a whole new level with their comments and even resorted to hiding behind names trying to mask who they are truly a fan of. They have proven that they truly are a second rate school, and I can’t ever see a circumstance where I would want them to win. They are the one school, I would hope we run up the score on, whenever the circumstances allow it. They hate UGA more than they like Tech. Of course, when you think about it, if you have to resort to lies and fall back, on the excuse of tougher academic standards as the reason you can’t beat your big brother, even though we know those standards don’t apply to their athletic teams, what else can you expect.
GO DAWGS and GATA