Georgia vs. Georgia Tech Prediction, Game Preview

The Georgia Bulldogs (8-3) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-8) renew their annual rivalry this weekend in Atlanta. Check out the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech prediction and game preview.

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

Georgia and Georgia Tech meet for the 110th edition of “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate”. And while the dislike is built in, regardless of the circumstances, the intrigue for this year’s game is not.

Both the Bulldogs and the Yellow Jackets have underachieved this fall, which has cast dark clouds above both coaching staffs. Rumors continue to swirl around longtime Georgia head coach Mark Richt, whose team lost three key SEC games in a horrid October, and needed overtime to escape Georgia Southern last Saturday. The situation has been even direr on the Flats for Paul Johnson. A year after winning the ACC Coastal, Georgia Tech has sunk into obscurity by winning just three times. And for the first time since 1996, the team won’t be a part of the bowl season.

Why Georgia Will Win

Defense hasn’t been the issue for the Dawgs this season. They’re allowing less than 18 points per game, and have the luxury of facing a triple-option attack last week similar to Georgia Tech’s. The Yellow Jackets have never located their offensive execution after the first two weeks, and won’t this Saturday against an athletic defensive unit headlined by linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins. Making matters worse, linchpin Tech QB Justin Thomas remains questionable with an injury.

Why Georgia Tech Will Win

The Georgia offense is just impotent enough to keep the Jackets in this game throughout. Tech has the ability to compete with superior teams, as evidenced by the upset of Florida State and three nail-biters in the last four losses. The D has held up fairly well, especially against the pass, which will keep the QB Greyson Lambert and the Bulldog passing game from escaping neutral. Over the last seven games, UGA has averaged just 17 points, while being toothless on third downs.

Player Who Matters

Nah, the Dawgs don’t pass with much success, but they should be able to run it with Sony Michel, the heir to injured Nick Chubb. Michel is just 73 yards from a 1,000-yard season, which he could reach by halftime against a soft Georgia Tech front seven. Georgia does a good job of creating space, and the Yellow Jackets have had a tendency to struggle at the point of attack since DT Adam Gotsis was lost to a knee injury.

What’s Going To Happen?

Neither rival is playing well at this late stage of the season. And Georgia Tech will be motivated to turn Saturday into its equivalent of a bowl game. But the Yellow Jackets will struggle to move the ball on the Georgia defense, particularly if redshirt freshman Matthew Jordan is taking snaps instead of Thomas. Michel will carry the load for the Bulldog offense, rushing for a pair of scores and 150 yards to offset his team’s passing game inadequacies.