There were three games this weekend with enormous repercussions for
local football fans. Tech and the Falcons missed their opportunities.
UGA grabbed hold of it in impressive style.
The last game took place Sunday. Always a great matchup
when the Saints come to town. And the game did not disappoint. Down by
10 points with five minutes on the clock, the Falcons stormed back and
tied it as regulation time ran out only to lose by a field goal in
overtime.
The first game took place at Bobby Dodd Stadium
Thursday night. Georgia Tech, with a win, would need only to beat Duke
on the road this Saturday to return to the ACC Championship Game as
Coastal Division Champs.
But, 9-1 Virginia Tech had the same idea. A 37-26 win
over the Yellow Jackets put them in charge of their season needing only
to take care of 6-4 North Carolina at home this weekend, then travel a
few miles down the road to finish the regular season against rival
Virginia. The 7-3 Cavaliers know that a win against the Hokies and
they're on the way to Charlotte themselves.
For Georgia Tech, nothing is left in their 7-3
season except to try to beat a steadily improving Georgia team...a much
more difficult task than it would have been early in the season. The
Bulldogs have a ton of talented freshman who have been contributing more
and more each week.
They had their own important game Saturday in
Athens against reigning national champion Auburn. But, this Tiger team
is a shadow of their successful 2010 version, mainly due to stars Cam
Newton now trying to resurrect the struggling Carolina Panthers and
DB Nick Fairley, teammates with local favorites Calvin Johnson
and Matthew Stafford in Detroit.
Most thought this game would be close, with
either team having a shot. Auburn was coming off a bye week but
apparently needed more than that to be competitive. After both teams
scored on their opening drives, it looked like it would be a typical
game in the south's oldest rivalry. But, the Tigers would score no more
after that and barely get into enemy territory. At the same time,
Georgia dominated on the ground amassing 304 total rushing yards of 56
carries. Carlton Thomas was virtually unstoppable.
The junior put up 127 rushing yards on 15
carries, reminiscent of his previous best of 71 yards on 15 carries
against Coastal Carolina in September. Freshman
Isaiah Crowell tacked on 132
yards of his own. Both were coming off one game suspensions.
But, Auburn wasn't just getting beaten to a pulp
on the ground. Aaron Murray had four touchdown passes to four
different receivers for a total of 224 yards in the air.
The 45-7 shellacking put Georgia in a position
that many thought would never be as they were calling for Mark
Richt's head after an 0-2 start. But, Richt stuck it out and now has
his first ever eight game winning streak, needing only to beat Kentucky
Saturday at home to represent the Eastern Division in the SEC
Championship game at the Dome.
For the Bulldogs, they won't even have to leave
the state, playing at home Saturday...then the season closer
Thanksgiving weekend against Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium followed by the
title game at the Georgia Dome.
Quite a turnaround. And, now, on a roll, some are
actually wondering what many thought was a ridiculous premise a few
weeks ago. Can Georgia actually compete with and maybe even knock off
the #1 ranked LSU Tigers at the Dome? More and more are liking their
prospects.
So, the Bulldogs are clearly in the
driver's seat. Tech in the back seat and the Falcons, still hopeful with
seven games left, but with a lot more to worry about just to get in the
playoffs as a wild card.
Behind the wheel is a much better spot to
be.