I think AJC columnist Jeff Shultz said it well this morning, Georgia's not that good, and Tech's not that bad.
To hear some Georgia fans tell it, you'd think Tech was 3-8 and not 8-3. According to the AP poll its #13 vs. #18, which sounds a fair assessment. UGA should be the favorite, but not by 8 points. The difference between #13 and #18 just isn't that much, and I think the previous four instalments of the CLEAN OLD FASHION HATE SPECTACULAR proves that.
Georgia has been the dominant program over the last seven years, but the Jackets are much closer than Bulldog fans will acknowledge. In fact, Tech has been one play away from beating the Dawgs several times, and all of that with O'Leary-gate and Chan Gailey hanging over the program.
Yes, Georgia plays in the SEC, but no, the SEC is not better than the ACC. If anything they are different, but the similar. The SEC has more top dogs and bottom dwellers, but the ACC is chalk full of good solid teams. Tech has played out a string of hard fought games over the second half of the season and has racked up wins against several teams better than LSU (the best team UGA beat), including UNC, Boston College, and Florida State. Georgia failed miserably in its two big tests against Florida and Alabama, which would make Tech Georgia's best win if it happened.
Though both teams are suffering from injuries this year, they've had several weeks of the same personnel. The offensive lines are what they are, and there is no reason to expect them to play any differently this week. The most impactful injury could be to Tech linebacker Sedric Griffin. Griffin has been the rock of a young, oft injured unit. He was knocked out of action last week, so Tech hasn't played any games without him and could miss his solid tackling. Shane Bowen, a starter last year who missed time do to off season surgery replaces Griffin. Anthony Barnes and Kyle Jackson have provided spotty production most of the year as both players have suffered with occasional injuries, but they are talented.
Outside of injuries, the Teams are evenly matched. Mathew Stafford and Josh Nesbitt both play the quarterback position relatively well, though they are asked to do very different things by there coaches. Jonathan Dwyer and Knowshon Mareno have almost identical production. Wide receivers Mohamad Masoquoi and AJ Green are more consistent than Tech's Bebe Thomas, but Thomas is a talent and a threat to make a game changing play. Defensively Georgia Tech's defensive line is far better than Georgia's, but defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Corvey Irvin, work well with stand out linebacker Rennie Curran give Georgia a solid center. Tech's young secondary has come along nicely, and playing behind the Yellow Jacket defensive line makes them the equal of their Bulldog counter parts.
Match-up wise, the two worst units on the field will be the offensive lines, and the best unit on the field will be the Tech defensive line. While there are minor advantages and disadvantages else where, both coaching staffs are more than capable of covering them up.
To hear some Georgia fans tell it, you'd think Tech was 3-8 and not 8-3. According to the AP poll its #13 vs. #18, which sounds a fair assessment. UGA should be the favorite, but not by 8 points. The difference between #13 and #18 just isn't that much, and I think the previous four instalments of the CLEAN OLD FASHION HATE SPECTACULAR proves that.
Georgia has been the dominant program over the last seven years, but the Jackets are much closer than Bulldog fans will acknowledge. In fact, Tech has been one play away from beating the Dawgs several times, and all of that with O'Leary-gate and Chan Gailey hanging over the program.
Yes, Georgia plays in the SEC, but no, the SEC is not better than the ACC. If anything they are different, but the similar. The SEC has more top dogs and bottom dwellers, but the ACC is chalk full of good solid teams. Tech has played out a string of hard fought games over the second half of the season and has racked up wins against several teams better than LSU (the best team UGA beat), including UNC, Boston College, and Florida State. Georgia failed miserably in its two big tests against Florida and Alabama, which would make Tech Georgia's best win if it happened.
Though both teams are suffering from injuries this year, they've had several weeks of the same personnel. The offensive lines are what they are, and there is no reason to expect them to play any differently this week. The most impactful injury could be to Tech linebacker Sedric Griffin. Griffin has been the rock of a young, oft injured unit. He was knocked out of action last week, so Tech hasn't played any games without him and could miss his solid tackling. Shane Bowen, a starter last year who missed time do to off season surgery replaces Griffin. Anthony Barnes and Kyle Jackson have provided spotty production most of the year as both players have suffered with occasional injuries, but they are talented.
Outside of injuries, the Teams are evenly matched. Mathew Stafford and Josh Nesbitt both play the quarterback position relatively well, though they are asked to do very different things by there coaches. Jonathan Dwyer and Knowshon Mareno have almost identical production. Wide receivers Mohamad Masoquoi and AJ Green are more consistent than Tech's Bebe Thomas, but Thomas is a talent and a threat to make a game changing play. Defensively Georgia Tech's defensive line is far better than Georgia's, but defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Corvey Irvin, work well with stand out linebacker Rennie Curran give Georgia a solid center. Tech's young secondary has come along nicely, and playing behind the Yellow Jacket defensive line makes them the equal of their Bulldog counter parts.
Match-up wise, the two worst units on the field will be the offensive lines, and the best unit on the field will be the Tech defensive line. While there are minor advantages and disadvantages else where, both coaching staffs are more than capable of covering them up.
All things considered, Georgia ain't so tough, while Tech is only getting stronger. Tech's offense has been taking off, while Georgia's defense has been slipping. Will Tech's be far enough along it's rebuilding process to beat Georgia, or can Georgia stop it's slide and beat Tech for an eighth time in a row. hing, check out the chart below. Tech's offense is getting stronger.
Tune in tomorrow, or possibly late tonight, for a CLEAN OLD FASHION HATE SPECTACULAR bonus; My thoughts on what you might see on the field.
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