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[su_spacer size=”40″] Both Georgia and Tech are in the midst of bitterly disappointing seasons. The Yellow Jackets, off their Orange Bowl victory a year ago were a consensus pick to make the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game. Tech is 3-8 after a 38-21 loss at Miami.
[su_spacer size=”40″] For a third straight season, the Bulldogs were a preseason top ten pick and the most popular pick to win the Southeastern Conference East Division. Georgia heads to the flats at 8-3, sputtering on offense and breathing a huge sigh of relief after a knee-knocking 23-17 overtime victory over Georgia Southern. The Bulldogs defense came up with the big stop on fourth and one, then sensational tailback Sony Michel scored on a 25-yard touchdown dash to win the game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] It will take a superior performance to avoid a second straight loss to Tech. In Georgia’s four games away from Sanford Stadium this season, the offense has scored five touchdowns.
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The Big Match-up
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s defense, and that means all 11 on the field, will have the difficult task of trying to slow down one of the country’s most potent rushing attacks that also has big play ability in the passing game. The trigger man is Tech’s standout quarterback Justin Thomas. He is a sprinter with all the skills. Thomas, with just an inch, can crack a seam and run for a long touchdown. He has an excellent arm, and is ball-handling on the handoff, keep or pitch is extraordinary.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Thomas hurt Georgia time and time again a year ago in Athens. For all of the improvements the Bulldogs have made defensively in the two years of Jeremy Pruitt at coordinator and the second year staff, the Tech game will be a huge measuring stick.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Tech gashed the Bulldogs defense for 399 yards on the ground a year ago. A similar performance will leave Georgia’s head hanging for a second straight season. The Bulldogs have struggled mightily on offense this season. In four games away from home this season, the Bulldogs offense has scored a mere five touchdowns. The defense is going to have to show the way, and that means containing Tech’s stellar signal caller with the sprinter speed.
[su_spacer size=”40″] History
[su_spacer size=”40″] Dating back to 1991, Georgia has won 11 of the 12 meetings with Tech at historic Grant Field and Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets lone win during this span came in 1999 when the Bulldogs were victimized by one of the worst calls, rulings and decisions ever, or just downright cheating by Al Ford and his officiating crew on the infamous (non) fumble from Jasper Sanks. As a quick aside, even it had been a fumble, which it was grossly wrongly ruled, the Jackets went backwards into the end zone and Georgia should have been awarded a safety. For a second straight season, had replay been around, Georgia would have beaten Tech.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Those are the types of wounds and scars, like last season’s two fumbles on the one, and the poor decisions to squib kick and call the timeout while the Jackets were rushing to boot the tying field goal, that never, ever heal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s run of success against the Jackets in Atlanta began with an 18-15 victory on the flats in 1991, as Garrison Hearst had a sensational day. The Bulldogs smoked Tech 43-10 on Thanksgiving Day 1993, putting a positive ending on a disappointing 5-6 campaign.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In 1995, with the announcement having come down that Ray Goff was being dismissed as the Bulldogs head coach, Hines Ward was spectacular, completing 9 of 9 third down passes in the second half, as Georgia rallied from a 17-0 deficit to win 18-17 on Kanon Parkman’s game-winning field goal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Jim Donnan succeeded Goff, and in his first game at Tech, the Bulldogs registered a thrilling 27-24 comeback victory en route to a 10-2 campaign and No. 10 national ranking. Champ Bailey sparked the game-winning drive with a 28-yard reception and put the Bulldogs, who were victimized by a horrible spot by the officials on a fourth-and-one with a 21-13 lead. A pass interference penalty kept the Bulldogs alive, then Mike Bobo hit Corey Allen for the game-winning touchdown. Georgia was assessed a pair of 15-yard penalties for the PAT and wisely just took a knee.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark Richt took over in 2001 and the Bulldogs won 31-17 in Atlanta. Verron Haynes had a spectacular day on the ground. In consecutive victories over Ole Miss and Tech, Haynes ran for 199 and 203 yards. Billy Bennett kicked six field goals and Tim Wansley delivered with a pick six that put the Dogs up 28-17. Georgia overcame a slew of penalties, including hitting the snapper early and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike after Randy McMichael was upset because Tech students standing on the field behind the goal post, well one of them spit in his face after an incompletion.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia rolled to a 34-17 win in 2003 en route to a second straight SEC Championship Game. Thomas Davis had a huge afternoon, lending a dominating defensive performance.
[su_spacer size=”40″] One of the biggest games between these two ancient rivals came in 2005. Georgia was SEC Championship Game bound and Tech was coming off a win at then mighty Miami. With the game tied 7-7, D.J. Shockley hit Bryan McClenson for the go-ahead touchdown. Tim Jennings then sealed the victory with an interception and long return from the goal line. The Bulldogs would go on to defeat LSU for the conference crown.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs won a wild one 31-17 in 2007. Georgia recovered three fumbles in the Bulldog end zone and Thomas Brown’s long touchdown run put the Jackets on the ropes. It was a seventh straight victory over “The Enemy” and Georgia would go on to beat Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-2 and No. 2 in the land.
[su_spacer size=”40″] As an eight point underdog in 2009, with Tech bound for the ACC Championship Game and Georgia 6-5, coming off a loss to Kentucky at home as a pair of two touchdown leads were overcome by the Wildcats. The year prior, Georgia led Tech 28-12,, in search of an eighth straight win that would have equaled the infamous drought of 1949-56, but Tech rallied to win 45-42. The Bulldogs sprang the upset, as Washaun Ealey and Caleb King had excellent games on the ground. Leading 30-24, Blair Walsh missed just his second field goal of the game. But Demarryus Thomas dropped a fourth down pass that would have extended the drive, and Georgia sprang the upset.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Dogs cruised to a 31-17 win in 2011 for a tenth straight victory in a 10-4 season en route to the SEC Championship Game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia trailed 20-0 in 2013, a year after blasting the Jackets 42-10 in Athens. But the Bulldogs mounted an impressive comeback and sent the game into overtime. Then it was Todd Gurley’s time. He carried four times for 50 yards and two touchdowns. The defense finally came up with the big stop on a pass deflection that careened around a bit too long just two weeks after “The Prayer at Jordan Hare”. Leonard Floyd had a big tackle for loss that put the Jackets behind the chains, and it proved to be the biggest defensive play of Georgia’s 11th win in the last 12 meetings with Tech on the flats.
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[su_spacer size=”40″] Both Georgia and Tech are in the midst of bitterly disappointing seasons. The Yellow Jackets, off their Orange Bowl victory a year ago were a consensus pick to make the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game. Tech is 3-8 after a 38-21 loss at Miami.
[su_spacer size=”40″] For a third straight season, the Bulldogs were a preseason top ten pick and the most popular pick to win the Southeastern Conference East Division. Georgia heads to the flats at 8-3, sputtering on offense and breathing a huge sigh of relief after a knee-knocking 23-17 overtime victory over Georgia Southern. The Bulldogs defense came up with the big stop on fourth and one, then sensational tailback Sony Michel scored on a 25-yard touchdown dash to win the game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] It will take a superior performance to avoid a second straight loss to Tech. In Georgia’s four games away from Sanford Stadium this season, the offense has scored five touchdowns.
[su_spacer size=”20″]
The Big Match-up
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s defense, and that means all 11 on the field, will have the difficult task of trying to slow down one of the country’s most potent rushing attacks that also has big play ability in the passing game. The trigger man is Tech’s standout quarterback Justin Thomas. He is a sprinter with all the skills. Thomas, with just an inch, can crack a seam and run for a long touchdown. He has an excellent arm, and is ball-handling on the handoff, keep or pitch is extraordinary.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Thomas hurt Georgia time and time again a year ago in Athens. For all of the improvements the Bulldogs have made defensively in the two years of Jeremy Pruitt at coordinator and the second year staff, the Tech game will be a huge measuring stick.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Tech gashed the Bulldogs defense for 399 yards on the ground a year ago. A similar performance will leave Georgia’s head hanging for a second straight season. The Bulldogs have struggled mightily on offense this season. In four games away from home this season, the Bulldogs offense has scored a mere five touchdowns. The defense is going to have to show the way, and that means containing Tech’s stellar signal caller with the sprinter speed.
[su_spacer size=”40″] History
[su_spacer size=”40″] Dating back to 1991, Georgia has won 11 of the 12 meetings with Tech at historic Grant Field and Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets lone win during this span came in 1999 when the Bulldogs were victimized by one of the worst calls, rulings and decisions ever, or just downright cheating by Al Ford and his officiating crew on the infamous (non) fumble from Jasper Sanks. As a quick aside, even it had been a fumble, which it was grossly wrongly ruled, the Jackets went backwards into the end zone and Georgia should have been awarded a safety. For a second straight season, had replay been around, Georgia would have beaten Tech.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Those are the types of wounds and scars, like last season’s two fumbles on the one, and the poor decisions to squib kick and call the timeout while the Jackets were rushing to boot the tying field goal, that never, ever heal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s run of success against the Jackets in Atlanta began with an 18-15 victory on the flats in 1991, as Garrison Hearst had a sensational day. The Bulldogs smoked Tech 43-10 on Thanksgiving Day 1993, putting a positive ending on a disappointing 5-6 campaign.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In 1995, with the announcement having come down that Ray Goff was being dismissed as the Bulldogs head coach, Hines Ward was spectacular, completing 9 of 9 third down passes in the second half, as Georgia rallied from a 17-0 deficit to win 18-17 on Kanon Parkman’s game-winning field goal.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Jim Donnan succeeded Goff, and in his first game at Tech, the Bulldogs registered a thrilling 27-24 comeback victory en route to a 10-2 campaign and No. 10 national ranking. Champ Bailey sparked the game-winning drive with a 28-yard reception and put the Bulldogs, who were victimized by a horrible spot by the officials on a fourth-and-one with a 21-13 lead. A pass interference penalty kept the Bulldogs alive, then Mike Bobo hit Corey Allen for the game-winning touchdown. Georgia was assessed a pair of 15-yard penalties for the PAT and wisely just took a knee.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark Richt took over in 2001 and the Bulldogs won 31-17 in Atlanta. Verron Haynes had a spectacular day on the ground. In consecutive victories over Ole Miss and Tech, Haynes ran for 199 and 203 yards. Billy Bennett kicked six field goals and Tim Wansley delivered with a pick six that put the Dogs up 28-17. Georgia overcame a slew of penalties, including hitting the snapper early and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike after Randy McMichael was upset because Tech students standing on the field behind the goal post, well one of them spit in his face after an incompletion.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia rolled to a 34-17 win in 2003 en route to a second straight SEC Championship Game. Thomas Davis had a huge afternoon, lending a dominating defensive performance.
[su_spacer size=”40″] One of the biggest games between these two ancient rivals came in 2005. Georgia was SEC Championship Game bound and Tech was coming off a win at then mighty Miami. With the game tied 7-7, D.J. Shockley hit Bryan McClenson for the go-ahead touchdown. Tim Jennings then sealed the victory with an interception and long return from the goal line. The Bulldogs would go on to defeat LSU for the conference crown.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs won a wild one 31-17 in 2007. Georgia recovered three fumbles in the Bulldog end zone and Thomas Brown’s long touchdown run put the Jackets on the ropes. It was a seventh straight victory over “The Enemy” and Georgia would go on to beat Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-2 and No. 2 in the land.
[su_spacer size=”40″] As an eight point underdog in 2009, with Tech bound for the ACC Championship Game and Georgia 6-5, coming off a loss to Kentucky at home as a pair of two touchdown leads were overcome by the Wildcats. The year prior, Georgia led Tech 28-12,, in search of an eighth straight win that would have equaled the infamous drought of 1949-56, but Tech rallied to win 45-42. The Bulldogs sprang the upset, as Washaun Ealey and Caleb King had excellent games on the ground. Leading 30-24, Blair Walsh missed just his second field goal of the game. But Demarryus Thomas dropped a fourth down pass that would have extended the drive, and Georgia sprang the upset.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Dogs cruised to a 31-17 win in 2011 for a tenth straight victory in a 10-4 season en route to the SEC Championship Game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia trailed 20-0 in 2013, a year after blasting the Jackets 42-10 in Athens. But the Bulldogs mounted an impressive comeback and sent the game into overtime. Then it was Todd Gurley’s time. He carried four times for 50 yards and two touchdowns. The defense finally came up with the big stop on a pass deflection that careened around a bit too long just two weeks after “The Prayer at Jordan Hare”. Leonard Floyd had a big tackle for loss that put the Jackets behind the chains, and it proved to be the biggest defensive play of Georgia’s 11th win in the last 12 meetings with Tech on the flats.
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