1. Turnovers (duh) – It’s no secret that turnovers have been a killer this season. Combined with a slew of injuries while facing the nation’s toughest schedule, these Bulldogs have fought, scraped and clawed to a 9-2 mark. That’s with the target squarely on Georgia’s chest as college football’s premier program in the 2020s, with the back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, and seven straight top ten finishes under the watch of Kirby Smart. But it’s pretty simple, if the Bulldogs don’t turn the football over —hot take– the odds of winning go way up. Protecting the football was an enormous key against Tennessee. It’s a must against the hungry Jackets. Carson Beck threw a late interception on the Flats last year, and a potential second was overturned on video review in the second quarter. The pick came midway through the fourth quarter (after a touchdown was nullified by one of two penalties on the drive) with the Bulldogs leading 31-16. Beck made a terrific 15-yard run to the Tech six-yard line, and it was third and five inside the 10-yard line. He tried to force a pass into a tight window, it was deflected and picked. An incompletion sets up a chip-shot field goal and an 18-point lead, while minimizing nervous time. Georgia also lost a fumble in the first quarter that set up the Jackets first touchdown. The Jackets also fell on two of their own fumbles and wound up getting field goals. The Dogs prevailed 31-23. Going back to 2022, with Georgia ahead 37-7, Beck subbed in for Heisman finalist, two-time national champion quarterback Stetson Bennett, and fumbled. The Jackets scored late, and it was 37-14. Turnovers for the Dogs Saturday night will likely lead to a sad night for Georgia. The Bulldogs need the Beck we saw against Tennessee. He was superb running and throwing against the Vols, and that set the tone under the lights two weeks ago. Outstanding field presence is a must. For all the ups and downs this season, Beck has been the starting quarterback at Georgia for two wins each over Florida, Auburn and Tennessee. Can the biggest game of all be added to this Bulldog hit list?

2. Contain QBs – The Yellow Jackets have a potent and impressive one-two punch at quarterback in redshirt junior Haynes King and freshman Aaron Philo. King began his career at Texas A&M, and before he was injured, a lot of those close to the program felt he was the Aggies top QB. What a pickup for Tech in the portal. You can make the case that King is Tech’s best quarterback since Joe Hamilton, and there have been a lot of really good ones in between. Remember last year on the flats, King scored twice, both times faking the pitch and then keeping inside. He’s fighting back from injury and is some kind of talent. Philo, out of Athens’ Prince Avenue Christian, had an incredible performance against the Wolfpack. He was 19-of-33 passing for 265 yards and carried seven times for 57 yards, including the 18-yard scoring scamper that gave the Yellow Jackets the lead. He throws a great ball and makes plays with his legs. Georgia’s front must get pressure, make the signal callers uncomfortable, don’t over-rush and keep containment. Jamal Haynes is one of the best backs in the ACC, and the Jackets have outstanding receiving threats. The Georgia defensive front will have a hard challenge against a really good and experienced Jacket O-Line. It’s a battle the Dogs must win.

3. Cash in Offensively – No turnovers, and when the Bulldogs get in the red zone, get points. Ideally seven. Let’s go back two weeks again to the game Between the Hedges, Georgia got inside the red zone five times, and capitalized with four touchdowns and a field goal in the Bulldogs 31-17 victory over the Volunteers.

4. Kicking Game – Special Teams has been a big strength for Georgia this season, and it’s a must win category Friday night. Make the kicks, catch the punts, limit the penalties, no turnovers and don’t force things on kickoff returns. A fair catch to the 25 is just fine. But beware, the Yellow Jackets present one of the toughest kicking game challenges of the year. Tech has blocked a nation’s best four field goals, and the Yellow Jackets have big play ability, plus an outstanding kicker in Aidan Birr, who hit three field goals last Thursday against N.C. State.

5. Bad Case of “The Wants” – The great Erk Russell used to talk about his ballplayers having “a bad case of The Wants.” Bring that fire, that —as Kevin Butler has coined it— controlled fury. This game is everything for Tech, which gets better year by year and game by game under Brent Key’s watch. They are coming for Georgia; the Jackets want it real bad, and they know what is at stake for the Bulldogs. There is nothing they would love better than to end Georgia’s six-game win streak in the series, the Bulldogs 30-game victory string Between the Hedges, and, most importantly, extinguish any playoff hopes for the Red and Black. Georgia has to take the fight to the Jackets, have a bigger, badder case of “The Wants”. The Bulldogs know what’s on the line. Georgia’s fans know what’s at stake. An atmosphere even better than two weeks ago is critical for the Bulldogs’ hopes.