this is an except from a UGA blog where a GT beat writer close to the Jackets is interviewed about the motivation of the Jackets today. Last year Johnson had this game circled from spring practice.
take it for what its worth. I still like the Jackets in this one.
DH: A year ago, this was the game Paul Johnson circled on the schedule to put Georgia Tech back on the map. He succeeded with a big win in Athens. So, has the win in Year 1 of Johnson's regime reduced the emphasis, or is Tech as up for this matchup as they were a year ago?
CH: It's kind of a half-and-half thing. In one way, the team has reduced the emphasis you could say. Last year, it was on their team goal board to "Beat Georgia," and this year, there is no mention of beating the Bulldogs anywhere. The only real mention on the board is to "Go undefeated at home." The reason for all of that is because Johnson has gotten his players to understand that while important, this game is more of an exhibition every year in the sense that it will do nothing to help their BCS bowl hopes this year. A win over Georgia as Tech is ranked No. 7 won't vault the Jackets into the national title game. They realize that. But what they really realize is that a win next week in the ACC championship, and they will go on to that BCS bowl and likely exorcise some demons in Miami.
But then there is that other half of thought. And that is that the emphasis that this game is still chock full of meaning. Yeah, in some sense it impacts in-state recruiting. But most importantly, it is a Rivalry, and you don't want to lose.
Paul Johnson has done a great job of having his players keyed into each and every game they've played this year. They have honed in each week on whatever opponent they are set to play and do not seem to be looking too far forward. So I don't think that because of their success the Jackets are ready to get to Tampa.
They know what a win in this series means to their fans, and they want to get to about 11:30 p.m. Saturday night before their minds shift back to the ACC.
So in a nutshell, it's kind of a two-pronged thing. This game isn't the important one on dictating the full measure of success Tech has this season, but it does hold importance. As Roddy Jones and Dwyer both said earlier this week, it still feels like the vast majority of the state is against Tech in this rivalry. They are still out to change that.
take it for what its worth. I still like the Jackets in this one.
DH: A year ago, this was the game Paul Johnson circled on the schedule to put Georgia Tech back on the map. He succeeded with a big win in Athens. So, has the win in Year 1 of Johnson's regime reduced the emphasis, or is Tech as up for this matchup as they were a year ago?
CH: It's kind of a half-and-half thing. In one way, the team has reduced the emphasis you could say. Last year, it was on their team goal board to "Beat Georgia," and this year, there is no mention of beating the Bulldogs anywhere. The only real mention on the board is to "Go undefeated at home." The reason for all of that is because Johnson has gotten his players to understand that while important, this game is more of an exhibition every year in the sense that it will do nothing to help their BCS bowl hopes this year. A win over Georgia as Tech is ranked No. 7 won't vault the Jackets into the national title game. They realize that. But what they really realize is that a win next week in the ACC championship, and they will go on to that BCS bowl and likely exorcise some demons in Miami.
But then there is that other half of thought. And that is that the emphasis that this game is still chock full of meaning. Yeah, in some sense it impacts in-state recruiting. But most importantly, it is a Rivalry, and you don't want to lose.
Paul Johnson has done a great job of having his players keyed into each and every game they've played this year. They have honed in each week on whatever opponent they are set to play and do not seem to be looking too far forward. So I don't think that because of their success the Jackets are ready to get to Tampa.
They know what a win in this series means to their fans, and they want to get to about 11:30 p.m. Saturday night before their minds shift back to the ACC.
So in a nutshell, it's kind of a two-pronged thing. This game isn't the important one on dictating the full measure of success Tech has this season, but it does hold importance. As Roddy Jones and Dwyer both said earlier this week, it still feels like the vast majority of the state is against Tech in this rivalry. They are still out to change that.