The nation’s top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (11-0, 8-0 SEC) are set to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-8, 2-6 ACC) this Saturday at noon ET in Bobby Dodd Stadium. This matchup of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate will conclude the regular season for the Bulldogs who are looking to finish the regular season unbeaten for the first time since 1982.
With all the talk about the Bulldog’s top-ranked scoring defense, Georgia currently holds the 7th-ranked scoring offense in the country while averaging 40.3 points per game. That is the highest scoring output the Bulldogs have boasted under head coach Kirby Smart.
A large part of the Bulldogs success this season has been thanks to the talented backfield duo of James Cook and Zamir White. The two have combined for 1,201 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns so far this season. Due to injuries in the running back room, the role for both of these fourth-year tailbacks have risen and both seem to be getting hot as Georgia nears postseason play. Zamir and James both found the endzone last week on senior day and the talented duo will look to stay hot against a Georgia Tech defense that currently ranks 101st in the country in rushing defense.
True freshman tight end Brock Bowers has emerged as this offense’s go-to threat in the passing game this season. His 8 receiving touchdowns and 552 receiving yards lead the team. With a big day against Georgia Tech, Bowers could become just the second Bulldog in program history to catch over 10 touchdowns in a season. Head coach Kirby Smart spoke on Bowers’ success stating, “The biggest thing with Brock’s consistency is, number one, he’s not just a role player. He can block and plays with physical toughness. He’s very intelligent.”
Georgia’s top-ranked scoring defense comes into this matchup having only allowed 9 touchdowns all season. With Georgia Tech starting quarterback Jeff Sims missing the last two weeks with an undisclosed injury, Jordan Yates looks to be in line for his third-straight start. Freshman Yates is an athletic quarterback who has struggled to find his footing in his first two starts combining for just 1 touchdown and 222 passing yards between them.
Kirby Smart gave praise to Georgia Tech third year coach Geoff Collins stating, “They’ve stacked some good players that’ve come back to the city of Atlanta. They’ve had some key injuries. They’ve had injuries at the quarterback position, it’s been in-and-out, back-and-forth, but they always do a good job in the kicking game. I have a lot of respect for how they play.”
The battle for the Governor’s Cup has turned lopsided as Georgia has won 16 out of the last 19 matchups against their in-state rival. Georgia enters this matchup boasting the longest consecutive win-streak of any team in college football with 15-straight wins dating back to last season while Georgia Tech is sitting on a 5-game losing streak including losing their last contest 55-0 at the hands of Notre Dame. The newest chapter in Clean, Ole-Fashioned Hate will air on ABC Saturday at noon ET.
