Clean, Old Fashioned Hate: Georgia Tech vs. Georgia, 2007

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.

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