No matter how many times a UGA fan hears somebody say that Tech will beat UGA this Saturday in Atlanta, they are not going to believe it, and vice versa.
That's the best part of the in-state rivalry known as "clean, old-fashioned hate."
Georgia has won six straight, making Chan Gailey winless against Richt and the Dawgs. Gailey's job could be on the line this weekend, even though he has four years left on his contract. The Dawgs are the hottest team in the SEC, which sounds like trouble—but it could bode well for The Ramblin Wreck.
Throughout Gailey's tenure at Georgia Tech, the white and gold have fared well as the underdog, and not nearly as well as the favorite.
Need a few examples? Not to worry.
2005 opener, Georgia Tech @ #16 Auburn: Tech upsets Auburn 23-14.
Later in the year, playing #3 Miami in South Beach:Tech wins 14-10.
#11 Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg: Tech wins 38-27.
Playing as favorites, Tech has not succeeded. 2003: Tech gets blown out by Duke, consistently the worst team in the ACC, 41-17.
2004, heavily favored versus UNC: Tech gets beat 34-13.
Those are just a few examples of Tech playing up and down to their competition.
Coming into the UGA game, Georgia is 3.5 point favorites, (according to linesmaker.com) which could mean nothing better with teams under Gailey.
The Jackets, meanwhile, come in as underdogs. Below are six reasons Tech will pull the upset:
1. Jon Tenuta
Throughout the years, Tenuta has become one of the best known defensive coordinators in the nation—and he deserves the credit.
Georgia Tech is ranked sixth in the nation in total defense this year, and Tenuta has them ranked in the top 15 year in and year out. Tenuta has some of the best blitz packages in college football, and baffles opposing teams' offensive coordinators and quarterbacks game in and game out.
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Against Clemson, CJ Spiller and James Davis—arguably the best 1-2 running back tandem in the game—were held to 62 yards, thanks to Tenuta's schemes. Tenuta baffled Stafford and Bobo all game last year, and the D played well enough to win.
Look for the D to give Georgia trouble all day long.
2. Tashard Choice
If not for injuries, Tashard "Deuce" Choice might be in recent Heisman talks. He had a streak of nine straight 100 yard performances heading into the BC game eariler this year, but left the game early with a hamstring injury.
Choice only gets better as the game wears on, and continues to use his great vision for consistent ten yard gains. He runs behind a impressive veteran offensive line that gives him adequate time to find the holes.
Oh yeah: in case you didn't know, as of now, Tashard Choice is better than Knowshon Moreno.
3. Georgia Tech's front seven
Georgia Tech has one of the best front sevens in the entire nation. Headlined by Philip Wheeler, the group is big, fast, and strong.
It starts up front, where Adamm Oliver, Darryl Richard, Vance Walker, and Darrell Robertson start. Sack artist Michael Johnson also sees a lot of time.
Robertson and Johnson are two of the quickest ends in the ACC, and use it to their advantage. Four backers rotate into the lineup, with the starters being Gary Guyton, Philip Wheeler, and Shane Bowen. AT Barnes sees significant time, and is arguably the most athletic backer on the team.
They are all quick, sideline to sideline backers. They are the best front seven Moreno has faced, even though UGA plays in the very competitive SEC. Wheeler is one of the best blitzers in the nation, and should have Stafford looking into the Atlanta sky all day long.
4. Georgia Tech's Safeties
Tech has a great tandem of safeties in Jamal Lewis and Djay Jones—but it doesn't stop there.
Do it all freshman Morgan Burnett plays safety and corner. He started at corner against UNC last week for the first time, and found instant success.
Burnett has been a playmaker all year, with big hits and big time interceptions. The safeties will help a ton in both the run and pass defense, and should make Stafford think twice about where he is throwing the ball.
5. Josh Nesbitt
While Bennett has been inconsistent all year, he should fair better against UGA than Reggie. While he doesn't have the playmaking ability Reggie did, he also doesn't make the same amount of costly mistakes. He knows how to play the field position game and not always go for the big play.
A three and out is never as bad for Tech as it is for other teams, because they have the best punter in the nation in Durant Brooks. Now enter Josh Nesbitt.
Nesbitt will provide a great change of pace for the Jackets. He never falls backwards while running, and his ball fakes are beginning to look Pat White esque. He is a quarterback who uses his feet like a runningback, but also has a cannon attached to his shoulder. He could very well be the X factor in the game.
6. Special Teams
Georgia Tech has possibly the best special teams unit in the nation. Their kickoff coverage is excellent, and that's only getting us started. They have a very consistent field goal kicker in Travis Bell, and he can hit relatively consistently from 50 yards. The main component in the unit however is Durant Brooks.
By far the best punter in the country, Brooks averages 45.3 yard per boot. He has pinned opponents inside the 20 yard line on 29 out of 57 punts. Against UNC last week, he had punts of 77, 63, and 54 yards. He appears to be a lock to win the Ray Guy award as the nation's best punter.
Enough with the reasons—time for the prediction: Tech 21, UGA 13
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9 months ago
first of all, who ever wrote this, jake i guess?, is a dumbass. Lets just say there is a reason why this article can be found on the open source network. secondly, there are way to many arguements (or attempts at them) to rebut all of them. however there are a few i would like to comment on. while tc22 "could" be in heisman talks, knowshon moreno IS. And Morgan Burnett is nowhere close to play maker status. he has 3 interceptions for 0 return yards, sweet. kelin johnson as 4 picks. Inconsistent doesnt describe bennet, TBennet has consistently blown the whole year. And i cant wait to see Josh Nesbitt actuallly have an impact, or at least a beneficial one, on the game. Im not saying that UGA will blow tech out of the water, but there is a reason one is top 10 and the other is no where to be found.
9 months ago
NoSean :) Moreno is NOT in any Heisman talks, except among super delusional ga fans. Morgan Burnett has only started one game, and otherwise had spot duty, but already has 3 INTs. Taylor has been inconsistent as most first year starters are, but he's also had a few good games.
With all of that said, it would be an upset to beat ga.
9 months ago
Jake, You said that last year Tenuta Baffled Stafford and Mikey Bobo???? Go look at all the stats again my friend because UGA won the game I believe and for once all season UGA didn't turn the ball over and learned how to play defense again. Last year was Tech's best chance to beat UGA because of Calvin Johnson. Why else do you think he bolted to the NFL instead of trying to win another championship...oh yeah cause he knew they were not good enough to win and last year was a fluke...but then again they didn't win it last year did they. haha. TC and KM are not comparable they have so different games but I do believe that KM is the better of the two because of his elusiveness. The funny thing is nobody knew who TC was until midseason last year but already the whole country is talking about how moreno could win the heisman soon. As for your top reciever, "butter fingers" Johnson...I recall last year he had a bit of Gaterhanditis after getting popped by Tra Battle and Kelin Johnson. Rennie Curran is the best player on the field when you compare defenses and he is only a freshman. Its going to get ugly and I think stafford could have a career day.
I like:
UGA 38
GT:7
9 months ago
The whole country is talking about Moreno winning the Heisman? I was talking to my friend the other day about UGA and mentioned Moreno and he said "who?"
He's a great running back but you guys are getting way ahead of yourselves. Jonathan Dwyer will be just as good IMO, he just hasn't had the chance yet because he has Tashard in front of him.
I don't even know how to respond to "Rennie Curran is the best player on the field when you compare defenses". He is a good player, but GT has Philip Wheeler, Darrell Robertson, Vance Walker, Gary Guyton, etc. One of the best front 7's in the nation. UGA's defense is NOT as good as Tech's, and the stats back that up.
I didn't expect this, but GT's offense is statistically ranked higher than UGA's, despite facing better defenses. Obviously UGA is a better passing team, but GT is a much better rushing team.
GT also has better special teams than UGA, and I don't think there's really an argument here.
On paper GT is easily capable of beating UGA. If they can avoid a complete meltdown VT style with Bennett throwing picks everywhere it should at least be a very close game. Tashard seems to be healthy enough to play well, albeit unable to sprint for long, and GT has only lost once with him playing this year (Maryland).
9 months ago
Get your bail money ready Dawgs...an upset on Saturday will lead many of you to end up incarcerated. Funny, that is the same as it is with Richt's players. Let's review the great student athletes that CMR has made into better men (this is just 2007 as I do not have time to list other years...)
DISMISSED:
Akeem Hebron
John Miller
Antonio Sims
SUSPENDED:
Ian Smith
Ramarcus Brown
9 months ago
Tech's D is solid against the run and that scares me as a Georgia fan. If Stafford gets sloppy with the deep ball like vs. KY, we could be faced with a horribly low-scoring game.
Low-scoring on both sides, because I trust Kelin Johnson and Rennie Curran. With that kind of a safety net, the inevitable couple of turnovers with GA's young and inconsistent offense is not going to change the outcome. Someone alluded to the Clemson/Tech game up there; Brandon Coutu is not going to miss, what was it, 4/5 field goals? I'm calling it UGA 16, Tech 10.
9 months ago
GT will beat ugay !!!!!!!!!1
from 2 months ago
want to retract the bs. check the score.
9 months ago
Hey genius, UGA has won 6 straight...
9 months ago
6 in a row moron...
9 months ago
Moreno is clearly not going to win the Heisman this year but there are some rumblings because he is a freshman and he has so much potential. As far as defense goes, GT is marginally better according to statistics. And yes, GT edges UGA in total yards per game, though the jackets average fewer points scored. And why do you think GT has faced better defensive teams? Tech is in the ACC. Tech played the mighty defenses of UNC, Duke, and Miami (and don't forget those stellar nonconference defenses of Samford, Army, and Notre Dame). Finally, hooray for the jackets having better special teams than UGA. The bottom line is GT has been capable of beating UGA on paper for years but Reggie Ball could not figure out how to throw to Calvin Johnson or even how to count his four downs. I wonder if he still thinks you can throw the ball away on fourth down. Anyway, the intangibles should be considered also. UGA wins in this department. The bulldogs have better athletes and much more to play for. All that said, it is rivalry game so all predictions can be thrown out the window. Plus, it is the 2007 season and if we have learned anything, it is that anything is possible this year.
9 months ago
look, tech fans are stupid. how can you compare statistics when we play in the sec while yall play in the acc. and our non conference schedule is better. troy and ok state could beat army samford and notre dame. and look John, any fucking georgia fan in the nation knows who moreno is. your friend is probably some faggot poser bitch who wears a uga visor, and sucks other guys cocks. and moreno was fifth on mel kiper's heisman list last week so im pretty sure that means he is in heisman talks, fuckhead.
9 months ago
look, tech fans are stupid. how can you compare statistics when we play in the sec while yall play in the acc. and our non conference schedule is better. troy and ok state could beat army samford and notre dame. and look John, any fucking georgia fan in the nation knows who moreno is. your friend is probably some faggot poser bitch who wears a uga visor, and sucks other guys cocks. and moreno was fifth on mel kiper's heisman list last week so im pretty sure that means he is in heisman talks, fuckhead.
9 months ago
hey jack. look in the mirror and say "i'm ignorant" and then re-read what you wrote. you're the reason no one likes UGA fans.
9 months ago
On behalf of UGA students and alumni, I would like to apologize for Jack's disrespectful rant and his pointless column (as noted by the lone comment on the page). Clearly he's still in the ridiculous frat stage of his life. All colleges have these idiots, none of them speak for their respective universities. He'll have an epiphany at some point. Anyway, plenty of people like UGA fans while only few people like nerds. Go dawgs!
9 months ago
seven straight
6 months ago
was it crack or meth or did you bump your head?
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