Left tackle Andrew Thomas pontificates on the Georgia-Georgia Tech this weekend, what the rivalry means to him, and what are the thoughts of the team headed into the game. The junior also shares some Thanksgiving plans and memories as well as talks about some of the struggles of the offensive line of late in this player interview from Tuesday.

What are the feelings of the team heading into the Georgia Tech game this weekend?

“It’s still a big rivalry. I remember back in 2016 — I wasn’t a part of the team yet, but I was at the game — when Georgia Tech beat us here at home. That stuck with a lot of guys here, so we just want to go out and play our best. I remember Georgia Tech tearing up the field and their guys having the Hedges in their mouths. Georgia’s staff actually put some of those pictures of Georgia Tech’s players up in the weight room for when we’re working out.”

Andrew, were you upset that you weren’t one of the finalist named for the Outland Trophy?

“I was upset about it, but it’s just motivation to keep working because there are still things I have to improve on, so that’s what I’m trying to do.”

What do you attribute the offensive line’s failure to operate to the Georgia standard of late?

“It’s the small things. It’s leverage, things of that nature. It’s the fundamentals where we seem to just be breaking down and we’ve got to focus on the basics of what we need to do.”