Dubz85123
Georgia Tech Fan
- Messages
- 11
Where: Athens, Georgia (Sanford Stadium)
Date/Time: Friday, November 25, 2024 8:00 pm
Hate Intensity: High
ATHENS- Jacket fans, the time to rejuvenate life into this historic rivalry is here. A season filled with many highs and lows that we would like to forget about. With Haynes King battling a heavily impaired throwing shoulder, Aaron Philo and company have risen to the challenge, securing two straight nail-biter wins over then #4 Miami and NC State. The Jackets look to continue practicing the preaching of Brent Key's 'next man up mentality.'
The Mutts come into this game with a 30-game home winning streak - a feat the Jackets have yet to accomplish since their last win in the series in 2016. Lingering inconsistencies plaguing them on both sides of the ball haven't dampened their playoff ambitions. This Black Friday match-up represents a critical moment for the Bulldogs to make a compelling impression on the playoff committee.
Georgia Tech offense vs. Georgia Defense
The game is ultimately going to be won or lost in the trenches. The Tech offensive line is currently tied for 2nd in the nation for sacks allowed at 0.5 sacks per game. This offensive line's performance could be the critical factor in neutralizing Georgia's defensive pressure.
This Georgia defensive line is nothing to play about. Most notably, in their game against Texas, they forced seven sacks. However, they're not invincible. In both of Georgia's losses, they combined for a total of only one sack. Last week, we all saw what happens when we give a young quarterback time. Philo threw for a total of 265 yards while achieving the highest PFF score, 93.7, for Quarterbacks and all Freshmen last week.
Good thing for Philo, he has some ballers on the outside. Eric Singleton, Malik Rutherford, and now Bailey Stockton look to use their speed to get open against what seems to be a less talented Georgia secondary compared to last year. With their secondary giving up an average of 203.4 yards passing a game, up from their 2023 campaign where they averaged 175.4 yards allowed through the air.
Time of possession has been another stat Tech has seemed to dominate in wins. Averaging 33:24 minutes with the ball in the last three games. The Jackets must use the Bulldogs off the field actions as an example of what not to do. Long, slow drives to keep the ball out of Georgia’s hands will help the winning chances tremendously.
A key factor in that has been the rushing attack. Jamal Haynes and Chad Alexander have to be game-changers. The Jackets will need to get ahead of the sticks to make those 3rd downs more manageable for their young QB. Both running backs have shown time and again that they have the ability to do so. Their away performance against UNC is the best example, where the Jackets rushed for a total of 371 yards.
From a numbers perspective, this is even more evident. In wins this season, the Jackets have averaged 230.1 rushing yards per game, and in losses, 92.5. At the same time, Georgia has given up an average of 142 rushing yards per game at home. A good sign for the Jackets as the Dogs gave up 252 rushing yards last week to a far less talented UMass team, no offense Minutemen.
Georgia Tech Defense vs. Georgia Offense
The line opening line for the game is currently UGA -19.5. Gotta say, what a load of crap. While this may be based on Aaron Philo going into Sanford stadium as a freshman, I find this betting line very disrespectful to Tech's defense.
Even while battling injuries to key players like Warren Burrell and Kyle Efford being knocked out. The Tech defense has seemed to come into their own in the last few weeks. Most notably, last week, forcing a season-high three interceptions against NC State. Also, 6 of the season's 15 sacks have come in the last three games, none bigger than Romello Height's game-clinching sack against Miami. Two questionably bad stat groups have seen an uptick for the better.
Just like Georgia, it is going to be key that Georgia Tech shut down the running attack completely. In both losses this season, Georgia was held to under 100 yards total rushing. Another notable performance was Kentucky. In their 1-point loss to the Dogs, they held them to just 102 yards on the ground.
Health concerns have also been an issue in the Georgia running back room. Currently, having three running backs listed on the injury report. RB1 Trevor Etienne is likely not to play, still out battling a rib injury. Roderick Robinson and Branson Robinson, while they did both practice this week, are both still questionable to play Friday.
Linebackers and defensive line will be equally critical for this job coming into Friday. Forcing the Georgia offense into passing downs will be key. Tech has done a tremendous job of getting off the field on third down. Currently rated the #21 third-down defense in the country, with teams only converting on 33.06% of third downs.
It is no secret that Carson Beck has seemingly regressed from last year to this year, doubling his interception totals from 6 to 12. The Dogs clearly have reason to lack confidence in their QB's ability to throw the ball. This was reinforced by comments made by Kirby after their loss to Ole Miss, "When you get in a mode of I have to throw the ball, you can get in trouble in this league, especially on the road. And we had some drives there where we had to throw the ball".
Final thoughts
Just like last year, this game will be a slugfest. Bottom line: Georgia Tech must execute on both sides of the ball for a full 60 minutes. The offensive line must protect Philo, and the defense must force Carson Beck into uncomfortable decisions. Do that, and I like our chances.
Kirby claimed this rivalry has "no emotion" and exists purely because of "geography." If that doesn't fire you up, check your pulse. This is Georgia Tech's moment to inject passion back into the rivalry. Friday night, we're not just playing to win - we're playing to make the Bulldogs remember who we are.
Date/Time: Friday, November 25, 2024 8:00 pm
Hate Intensity: High
ATHENS- Jacket fans, the time to rejuvenate life into this historic rivalry is here. A season filled with many highs and lows that we would like to forget about. With Haynes King battling a heavily impaired throwing shoulder, Aaron Philo and company have risen to the challenge, securing two straight nail-biter wins over then #4 Miami and NC State. The Jackets look to continue practicing the preaching of Brent Key's 'next man up mentality.'
The Mutts come into this game with a 30-game home winning streak - a feat the Jackets have yet to accomplish since their last win in the series in 2016. Lingering inconsistencies plaguing them on both sides of the ball haven't dampened their playoff ambitions. This Black Friday match-up represents a critical moment for the Bulldogs to make a compelling impression on the playoff committee.
Georgia Tech offense vs. Georgia Defense
The game is ultimately going to be won or lost in the trenches. The Tech offensive line is currently tied for 2nd in the nation for sacks allowed at 0.5 sacks per game. This offensive line's performance could be the critical factor in neutralizing Georgia's defensive pressure.
This Georgia defensive line is nothing to play about. Most notably, in their game against Texas, they forced seven sacks. However, they're not invincible. In both of Georgia's losses, they combined for a total of only one sack. Last week, we all saw what happens when we give a young quarterback time. Philo threw for a total of 265 yards while achieving the highest PFF score, 93.7, for Quarterbacks and all Freshmen last week.
Good thing for Philo, he has some ballers on the outside. Eric Singleton, Malik Rutherford, and now Bailey Stockton look to use their speed to get open against what seems to be a less talented Georgia secondary compared to last year. With their secondary giving up an average of 203.4 yards passing a game, up from their 2023 campaign where they averaged 175.4 yards allowed through the air.
Time of possession has been another stat Tech has seemed to dominate in wins. Averaging 33:24 minutes with the ball in the last three games. The Jackets must use the Bulldogs off the field actions as an example of what not to do. Long, slow drives to keep the ball out of Georgia’s hands will help the winning chances tremendously.
A key factor in that has been the rushing attack. Jamal Haynes and Chad Alexander have to be game-changers. The Jackets will need to get ahead of the sticks to make those 3rd downs more manageable for their young QB. Both running backs have shown time and again that they have the ability to do so. Their away performance against UNC is the best example, where the Jackets rushed for a total of 371 yards.
From a numbers perspective, this is even more evident. In wins this season, the Jackets have averaged 230.1 rushing yards per game, and in losses, 92.5. At the same time, Georgia has given up an average of 142 rushing yards per game at home. A good sign for the Jackets as the Dogs gave up 252 rushing yards last week to a far less talented UMass team, no offense Minutemen.
Georgia Tech Defense vs. Georgia Offense
The line opening line for the game is currently UGA -19.5. Gotta say, what a load of crap. While this may be based on Aaron Philo going into Sanford stadium as a freshman, I find this betting line very disrespectful to Tech's defense.
Even while battling injuries to key players like Warren Burrell and Kyle Efford being knocked out. The Tech defense has seemed to come into their own in the last few weeks. Most notably, last week, forcing a season-high three interceptions against NC State. Also, 6 of the season's 15 sacks have come in the last three games, none bigger than Romello Height's game-clinching sack against Miami. Two questionably bad stat groups have seen an uptick for the better.
Just like Georgia, it is going to be key that Georgia Tech shut down the running attack completely. In both losses this season, Georgia was held to under 100 yards total rushing. Another notable performance was Kentucky. In their 1-point loss to the Dogs, they held them to just 102 yards on the ground.
Health concerns have also been an issue in the Georgia running back room. Currently, having three running backs listed on the injury report. RB1 Trevor Etienne is likely not to play, still out battling a rib injury. Roderick Robinson and Branson Robinson, while they did both practice this week, are both still questionable to play Friday.
Linebackers and defensive line will be equally critical for this job coming into Friday. Forcing the Georgia offense into passing downs will be key. Tech has done a tremendous job of getting off the field on third down. Currently rated the #21 third-down defense in the country, with teams only converting on 33.06% of third downs.
It is no secret that Carson Beck has seemingly regressed from last year to this year, doubling his interception totals from 6 to 12. The Dogs clearly have reason to lack confidence in their QB's ability to throw the ball. This was reinforced by comments made by Kirby after their loss to Ole Miss, "When you get in a mode of I have to throw the ball, you can get in trouble in this league, especially on the road. And we had some drives there where we had to throw the ball".
Final thoughts
Just like last year, this game will be a slugfest. Bottom line: Georgia Tech must execute on both sides of the ball for a full 60 minutes. The offensive line must protect Philo, and the defense must force Carson Beck into uncomfortable decisions. Do that, and I like our chances.
Kirby claimed this rivalry has "no emotion" and exists purely because of "geography." If that doesn't fire you up, check your pulse. This is Georgia Tech's moment to inject passion back into the rivalry. Friday night, we're not just playing to win - we're playing to make the Bulldogs remember who we are.
