Georgia Strikes Back: Ealey and King Lead Bulldogs Over Tech

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

That was big.

Left for dead by critics and fans, the Georgia Bulldogs showed up Saturday night and notched one of the biggest wins of the decade for the program, knocking off No. 7 Georgia Tech 30-24.

Yes, the Bulldogs still walked away with a 7-5 record, but this game wasn't about records. This was about a Georgia program that had been bleeding ever since Alabama sliced up the Bulldogs over a year ago.

Since that game, Georgia had been manhandled by it's rivals. Since that game, the Bulldogs had posted huge losses to Florida, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, LSU and others.

Not once had Georgia stepped up in a big game and defeated a superior or equal opponent. Every win since that point had been to inferior opponents.

That finally changed on Saturday.

Georgia Tech was at home, coming off two weeks of rest. Georgia was a week removed from one of the most embarrassing performances in the program history.

The script was already written for this game. Georgia's much maligned defense would be physically abused by the No. 2 rushing game in the country.

This was Georgia Tech's season. This was Paul Johnson's year. Georgia Tech was on the rise. Georgia was on the decline.

Instead, Georgia turned the tables on it's biggest rival, pounding Georgia Tech. It would have been different if Georgia had simply out-gimmicked Tech.

Far from it. Georgia simply bullied Tech. From the very first play, Georgia threw their playbook out onto the field. It was a simple strategy. Run right at the Tech defense. And then do it again. And again. And again.

All night long, Georgia physically dominated their in-state rivals, playing the kind of game Tech was supposed to play.

The game was about pride for Georgia. Before the game, Paul Johnson had tried to calm the storm, claiming the Tech program was something bigger than just a year-long rivalry against Georgia.

That's a clever way of saying Tech has surpassed Georgia and is on to bigger and better things. Georgia brought them back to reality.

Now, it's on. Georgia Tech called out Georgia last year, and then expected the Bulldogs to play dead this year. Georgia responded in a big way.

A true Georgia knows how big of a game that was Saturday night. That was about pride, a type of pride Georgia hasn't shown in year.

Pushed to the brink, Georgia was about to be officially dropped to the floor. A lot was on the line, more than people might realize. And Georgia responded.

Who knows what will happen next year. A lot of big questions are still on the table.

But last night proved one thing. Blooded and bruised, Georgia wants another round.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?