Brent Key gives fiery response on location of Georgia vs. Georgia Tech rivalry: 'I could give a crap'

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets went Between the Hedges in 2024 under head coach Brent Key and nearly were able to upset the Georgia Bulldogs. They’re looking to finish the job this season but won’t be able to do it at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Instead, the game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Key was asked about the location change during the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff. There, he was fairly blunt. He doesn’t care where they get together to play Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.

“Those are way above my pay grade,” Brent Key said. “I could care less. We could go play them in Piedmont Park. I’m serious. We’ll go home tonight and play them at 5 o’clock at Piedmont Park. I could give a crap where we play.”

Georgia and Georgia Tech have been playing since 1893. The series has been disrupted at times, but the pair have combined to play 118 total times. It’s the Bulldogs who have a fairly large lead in the series, with a record of 72-41-5 against the Yellow Jackets. That includes seven straight games. Georgia Tech hasn’t beaten Georgia since Kirby Smart‘s first season in Athens now.

Playing at home has also clearly matters to Georgia Tech in the rivalry. 24 of the Yellow Jackets’ 41 wins have come in Atlanta. Of course, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is still within the city, but it’s hard to imagine that the advantage is as strong at the neutral site.

It was in October of 2024 that the schools announced Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate is going to be played at a neutral site in 2025. Georgia Tech gave up a home game in the agreement. Then- Georgia Tech athletic director J Batt explained the reasoning behind the decision at the time.

“We know that some of you may be apprehensive that Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate will be played off-campus for the first time since Bobby Dodd Stadium opened in 1913. Please know that we understand that concern and know that this was not a decision that was made lightly,” Batt wrote. “As I noted earlier, embarking on the new era of college athletics requires exploring new revenue sources, as that is paramount to our goal of competing for championships at the highest level. In partnering with AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) to move Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for 2025, we agreed to changes in the contract that calls for us to play one game annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium through 2026.”

AMBSE is offering a $10 million guarantee for the 2025 game. Batt also noted at the time that there will be priority ticket opportunities for season ticket holders.

After Brent Key and Georgia Tech took the Bulldogs to the bitter end in 2024, losing in eight overtimes and after some controversial play, the Yellow Jackets desperately want to earn a win. That’s very possible, and it doesn’t matter to their head man, at least, where the game is played.