Georgia-Georgia Tech one of the most underrated games nationally
Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.
It’s a rivalry series may not get as much press as the Iron Bowl, Egg Bowl or even UF-FSU, but there’s always a good matchup between Georgia and Georgia Tech.
Take last year for example. A battle of unranked teams, Georgia Tech took UGA to the brink. Bolting out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, it took a huge second half from Hutson Mason and Todd Gurley to tie things up in the fourth quarter. Eventually, the Bulldogs won a classic, 41-34, in the second overtime period.
This season’s edition of the in-state rivalry figures to be even better. Saturday’s game will feature the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets, two top-16 ranked teams. It’ll be the first time both teams are ranked in the series since 2011.
Offensively, spectators could be in for a shootout. Although the Yellow Jackets’ offense is often regarded as gimmicky because of the triple-option game plan, it’s one of the nation’s most effective offenses this season. Georgia Tech possesses a more explosive offense than Florida State and is ranked first in the ACC, averaging 37.8 points per game.
Georgia’s offense bests Georgia Tech’s unit by nearly six points, but both units will rely heavily on the run game.
UGA’s run game is well-known thanks to the depth at the running back position and the emergence of Nick Chubb. A true freshman star, Chubb has risen in the SEC rushing ranks with the second-most rushing yards (1,152 yards), despite starting just half the season.
No defense has been able to stop Chubb, and thanks to Georgia Tech’s struggles at containing the run, he figures to be in line for a huge day.
As always with a triple-option offense, Georgia Tech’s run game is the focal point. However, this season quarterback Justin Thomas has shown some ability when throwing the ball and has added a more effective passing game into the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense.
“Justin Thomas for them is a really outstanding football player,” UGA head coach Mark Richt said earlier this week. “He’s passed for close to 1400 yards and 15 touchdowns. You’ve already heard the stat of having hardly any interceptions thrown, best in their league, but he’s also had over 800 yards rushing and he runs their system extremely well.”
“He’s very dangerous, very fast, and has a strong arm. I think they’re throwing and catching better than I’ve seen them do in the last few years. He’s a very impressive guy,” Richt added.
Thomas’ 827 rushing yards also leads the team in rushing, so the young quarterback is crucial to the offense and a budding star in the ACC.
Both teams could be fighting for conference championships as well after the season. If Missouri loses on Friday, Georgia clinches a spot in the SEC Championship. Georgia Tech has already won its division in the ACC and has earned a date against Florida State in the ACC Championship.
Often times, Georgia Tech is merely an afterthought nationally because of the lack of exposure for any team other than FSU in the ACC. We’ve all seen what Georgia is capable of this season, especially in its blowout win over Auburn a few weeks ago.
But UGA’s opponent is no pushover. The Yellow Jackets are as good as they have ever been in recent years and will have the offensive firepower to give UGA a lot of problems. This rivalry game is always close and competitive, but with two very talented teams this year, it should set up to be an even better game.
The 2014 edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate may not have the prime-time ESPN television slot like the Iron Bowl, but if you tune into the SEC Network at 12 p.m., you’re bound to see another rivalry week classic.