Georgia Tech blew shot at an epic showdown
This should have been the biggest, most important Georgia-Georgia Tech game for both teams since 1966. With a 12-team playoff, everything was lining up for this to be a pivotal meeting for College Football Playoff positioning.
But Georgia Tech, which has come oh-so-far from the Geoff Collins era, at least temporarily reverted back to its old ways in a humiliating home performance against Pittsburgh.
The defense gave up four consecutive touchdowns. Haynes King did not resemble a Heisman contender. Turnovers turned up at the worst possible times in a 42-28 loss.
Georgia Tech now won’t reach the ACC Championship and is likely out of the playoff picture even with a win over Georgia. It was a predictably un-clutch performance against Pittsburgh from the third-tier team. As a result, this year’s Georgia-Georgia Tech game has lost some luster nationally.
This game now becomes what it historically has been for the North Avenue Trade School. It’s the Yellow Jackets’ Save The Season Bowl, where despite routine hurt and heartbreak, a win over Georgia would make everything OK. It’s all Georgia Tech has. After all, no one can re-watch Georgia Tech’s last national title since VCRs are obsolete.
Meanwhile, Georgia has done its part to date and still has everything to play for. The Bulldogs are looking to reach the playoff for the fourth time in the last five years. A win over Georgia Tech ensures its rival’s misery continues while pursuing a third national title in that same span.
That said, Brent Key will have his team ready to play, for sure. It won’t be the hilarious clown parade that Mr. Waffle House put forth during his short stint in Atlanta. This will be a physical game. The Yellow Jackets are likely to have some plays and looks on both sides of the ball saved specifically for the Bulldogs. You have to give Key credit for turning Georgia Tech from a laughingstock into something respectable.
Quite frankly, it’s much more fun when rivalry games are competitive, especially now that you can withstand a loss or two and still reach the playoffs. That’s why it’s disappointing the hype surrounding this game isn’t what it could be. Instead, all Georgia Tech folks could do was spend Sunday updating Wikipedia pretending Georgia doesn’t hold a 72-39-5 advantage in the overall series.
Although Georgia Tech has a reputation for educating intelligent students, this Wikipedia editor didn’t match the longest win streak the fake current win streak. Quite the oversight.
Speaking of which, Georgia is seeking its eighth consecutive win in a row in the series, which would tie Georgia Tech’s record from 1949-56.
Again, this game is everything for the trade school. If it defeats the Bulldogs, missing the playoff won’t matter. For Georgia, it’s still possible a loss won’t derail its playoff ambitions. The Bulldogs don’t want to take that risk, obviously.
Friday’s game could’ve been so much more for everyone who follows this sport. It’s been a long, long time since both teams were nationally relevant at the same time.
Way to go, Tech.
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