ATHENS, GA- Well, here we are folks. It's the last regular season game of the year coming up on Thanksgiving weekend, as Georgia and Georgia Tech renew the rivalry referred to as  "Clean Old-Fashioned Hate".  Tech head coach Paul Johnson has energized the Yellow Jackets with his triple-option offense. Johnson has won everywhere he's coached, leading Georgia Southern to a Division I-AA National TItle in 1999 and 2000 and taking Navy to a 10-2 record in 2004 and a win over Notre Dame in 2007.  The Dawgs have had two weeks to prepare for the Jackets triple-option offense, as they look to bring a seven game winning streak against Tech to eight.

When Tech has the ball....

Georgia Tech averages 372 yards-per-game of Total Offense, with 270 of those from the ground attack. Running back Johnathon Dwyer leads the Jackets with 1184 yards and 10 TD's (avg. 7 yards-per-carry) and Quarterback Josh Nesbit is second on the team with 591 yards and 7 TD's (avg 4.3 yards-per-carry) The Yellow Jackets are scoring 24.5 points per game. Georgia Tech does not have much of a passing game, however, sophomore Demaryius Thomas leads the team with 35 catches for 576 yards.

Georgia's Defense has given up 308 yards-per-game, however, the strength of the defense has been defending the run. They are only giving up 104.5 yards on the ground (per game). The Dawgs have been hurt in recent weeks by running quarterbacks, with Kentucky and Auburn gaining some nice runs. Georgia Tech brings a unique style of offense that forces defenses to defend all eleven players, as the quarterback has the option to hand-off the ball or keep it himself. By accounting for the quarterback, the Dawgs must focus on "assignment football" as each man has to make sure they defend the player(s) they are assigned to stop. The Dawgs must play with intensity and discipline for four quarters in order to stifle the triple-option.

When Georgia has the ball....

The Dawgs enter the game with perhaps the most talented offense Tech has faced all year. With Matt Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, Mohammed Massaquoi and A.J. Green providing a balanced attack, the Dawgs are putting up 31.2 points-per-game (3rd in the SEC). The Dawgs offense is rolling up 429 yards of total offense each game, which is 2nd in the SEC, and have the top passing attack in the SEC.  WIth that said, Georgia Tech leads the ACC in scoring defense giving up 16.7 points-per-game. The Yellow Jackets have one of the top total defenses in the ACC and are among the best in their conference in sacks and interceptions. Tech's defensive line is very talented and can get pressure on the quarterback as good as anybody. 

Bottom line... 

As rivalry games go, who knows how this game will turn out. Georgia Tech steamrolled Miami last thursday night and Paul Johnson had the team practicing for Georgia on Saturday. This signifies the importance of this game. (Especially since Georgia will have had two weeks to prepare by the time gametime arrives.) One area in which Georgia should have the edge is in special teams. The Dawgs punt return team averages 16.7 yards-per-return, compared to Tech's  6.9. The Dawgs are statistically better in kickoff returns as well. This could play a key role if the game becomes a defensive battle and the two teams battle for field position. If Georgia shuts down Techs run game and the Dawgs offensive line has trouble with the Yellow Jackets D-line, this could very well be a defensive, low scoring ballgame. However, due to Georgia's recent struggles on defense and the unique style of Tech's offense, something tells me both teams may be able to move the ball. Georgia must overcome it's youth (and injuries) on the offensive line, as they've done all year. And, the issue with penalties seems to keep hanging around. Georgia has a chance to finish-off another 10-win season and a nice bowl game and Tech has a chance to end it's misery against the Dawgs. I feel that the bottom line is if the Dawgs stop the Jackets running game, the ballgame is over. The "State Championship" game promises to be as exciting as it's ever been, and, how great would it be if the Dawgs stretched "the streak" to eight!!!!!

Go Dawgs!!!!! G.A.T.A.!!!!