Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > November > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEmotional Tech will beat Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia has more football talent than Georgia Tech, but not enough to rank slightly beyond a touchdown favorite for Saturday’s game in Athens. Consider, too, that the great equalizer in rivalry games is emotion. Tech has more of that regarding the Bulldogs than Georgia has of that regarding the Yellow Jackets.
So Tech will win. That’s because emotion will be as potent for the Jackets as all of those triple-option plays.
This isn’t to say Georgia will spend the afternoon yawning at the sight of Buzz shaking his tail between the hedges. Said Georgia wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, a Charlotte native, who was indoctrinated into the rivalry after his six catches helped the Bulldogs whip Tech as a freshman in 2005: “It’s a very special game, and it’s different than the others, because they share the same state as you.”
Added Georgia fullback Brannan Southerland, who grew up in the Atlanta area, “It’s not an SEC game, but it’s huge. If you lose, you’ll never hear the end of it at church and stuff like that.”
Here’s the deal, though: Losing to Georgia often produces the lowest of lows for Tech players. Beating Tech rarely produces the highest of highs for Georgia players. While the Bulldogs have Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and Tech to dislike, the Jackets just have Georgia.
Tech is obsessed with Georgia. You hear it in the Jackets’ fight song (“Up with the white and gold, down with the red and black …”). You see it on the video board at Tech home game when players end their taped messages to the crowd by saying, “To hell with Georgia.” You also can tell as much, because senior defensive end Michael Johnson frowned while recalling every detail from Tech’s losses to Georgia during each of his past three seasons.
“I mean, you’ve got to hear about it all year from people who didn’t even go to Georgia,” said Johnson, with the deepest of sighs. “I’ll ask them, ‘So did you go there?’ And they’ll say, ‘Nah. I’m a fan.’ And I’ll say, ‘Uh-huh, well, OK.’ They’re probably just (sigh), I won’t even go into it.”
Johnson clenched his teeth, before adding with another sigh, “How badly do I want to beat Georgia? As bad as ever.”
He isn’t alone. Tech senior defensive tackle Darryl Richard said, “Everybody has a misconception about Georgia Tech, which is that we shouldn’t be able to compete with people. So we want to set the record straight. We have athletes here, just as other teams do. But for some reason, since we have people who are serious about getting their education, as well as playing football, we’re supposed to be inferior.”
You know, inferior to You Know Who, which Richard isn’t buying. “We hear right now that we can’t compete with a team like Georgia, and we’re taking that to heart every day,” said Richard, of his 8-3 bunch compared to 9-2 Georgia. “It’s time to go to work. That’s our mentality. I think that since we have guys that are serious about doing that, we can definitely compete against that team from Athens.”
There also is this: The Jackets’ rising triple-option offense will face a Georgia defense that reeked during its first and only exposure to an option offense earlier this month at Kentucky. Tech first-year coach Paul Johnson is a whiz in rivalry games (his Navy teams were 6-0 against Army). Plus, the Jackets are due to beat Georgia after dropping seven straight.
Oh, and Johnson won’t allow the Jackets to lose. That’s Paul and Michael.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By King of Sandy Sorings
November 28, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Wow. You, Tony, and Jeff have picked Tech. I hope you’re right. I feel good about this one.
By Georgia Tech=JOKE
November 28, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Well Mr. Johnson, maybe you should tell your athletic department to stop calling me every year asking me if I want to buy football tickets. After all, I didn’t go to Georgia Tech. And those emails about their ticket promotions (Free Ticket Tuesday!!) are clogging up my inbox. I didn’t even go to Georgia Tech. Why would they want them to give me free tickets Mr. Johnson? Oh, and please get them to stop buying those annoying pop up adds on AJC.com. I would assume that people that went to Georgia Tech already know they have a football team, so what’s the point in an AJC ad Mr. Johnson?
I see that Georgia Tech hypocrisy isn’t limited to their fans and extends to the players themselves. Good to know.
By Matt Mccamy
November 28, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Please b real and say your wrong when we beat Tech 2morrow. We’re not Army Mr.Moore. We will win again like normal. GO DAWGS!!!!!
By davidb
November 28, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets !
By Sid
November 28, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Tech will lose because of it’s emotion!”Sky high” may mean so much eagerness that it will produce mistakes. Georgia is already in a good bowl.Tech is playing to not lose 8 straight and to salvage something for it’s seniors.Don’t count out UGA’s beleagured defense and,if UGA’s offense is clicking,Tech may find it’s playing “catch up” all afternoon.Also UGA is great in the 2 minute offense and has a long range field goal kicker.UGA 28 to 17!
By DJA55
November 28, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving T-Moore. Let’s hope for an entertaining, and exciting game - unlike the “turkeys” that were on yesterday. From the Heart of Middle Georgia - GO JACKETS!
By GatorsEatBoogers
November 28, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Terrance compares Georgia Tech’s offense to Kentucky, then predicts a Tech victory. Perhaps you didn’t get the memo, Terrance, but Georgia beat Kentucky. I was worried about a Georgia victory until I read that Terrance Moore picked Tech. UGA 34 Tech 28
By Matt Mccamy
November 28, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Mr Moore please reply online that you were/are wrong after the game tommorrow when we win against Ga Tech. You see that is what the Dawgs do when it comes to Tech , we win and tommorrow will be no different.GO DAWGS!!!
By HOORAY
November 28, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Thanks Terrance! Now that ALL you AJC boobs have jumped on the Tech bandwagon, I’m not worried in the slightest about the game tomorrow. Business as usual! 8 straight in ‘08! Let ‘em obsess for another year, freaking overconfident dorks.
By jarrodmon
November 28, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Tech fans and players need to seek therapy. You won 8 games, be happy!Obsession is not healthy. I mean, we lose to Florida most years but you don’t hear “to hell with jorts” in our fight song.
By Gt52
November 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Your right Terrence,Tech want be denied the year……… Go Jackets!!! THWGEORGIA
By Frank Lane
November 28, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Terrence, I am so glad that you are picking Tech.
By Gt52
November 28, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Thanks Terrence. Us Jackets appreciate that vote of confidence…. Go Mighty jackets!!!! THWGeorgia
By jabarr
November 28, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Suweeeet! Enough talk, it’s go time! Sting em! Fear no one,respect all.
By old n gold
November 28, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!….woof woof
By Question?
November 28, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
How many teams has Army beat period in the last 20 years? How many Pro or Major College Teams run the Triple Option? Why do they not run it? It is a trick offense that can be effective because no one ever sees it. Paul Johnson is not quite as good as he thinks he is. Man, he does not want anyone to question anything he does. That will cost you in any line of work. I like Tech as well as georgia, but I don’t like Johnson. AJC sport Writers all pick Tech, that should tell you something. Georgia by 10 points or better. They have something to prove also.
By jacketnation
November 28, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Good prediction and great video by T. Moore. Where going to give dawg fans a triple option; after the game you can: 1. Cry 2. Drown your sorrows 3. Choke on a fried pork rind
We will beat UGAg and hopefully our fat bald Governor will have to wear a Tech Jersey for a week.
By Time Out
November 28, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
I’m a Tech alum, and I love Ma Tech, I really do, but I still think we’re a year away. If we were at home I’d give us more of a chance.
BTW, has anyone checked the forecast for tomorrow? 100% chance of rain. How does that change the game?
Best case: Tech 9, UGA 6. Both teams miss field goals and turn the ball over at least twice.
Weather permitting.
By Andy in Ohio
November 28, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Wow.. I’ve learned some things in my time here in Ohio since I moved here 8 years ago, and that is that at least their hometown papers and TV stations cheer for their own team. Somehow most of the AJC feels it’s their duty to be objective and cover both sides. UGA is the state school, this doesn’t even seem like you’re trying to put up a front anymore of being a UGA fan.
You’d think from your post that Stafford will forget how to throw, Moreno how to run, Green how to catch, and the rest of the team to stay at the hotel. Last I remembered, we’re still averaging the top team on offense in the SEC (top scoring offense belongs to Florida), and I highly doubt that GA Tech can stop UGA if most SEC teams can’t. It’s going to come down to who can score the most points. I don’t see how you can undoubtedly pick GA Tech other than that your true colors are coming out, and they aren’t red and black.
By fred
November 28, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
THWG!!!
I am a 73 year old Tech alum living in a small NC mountain town.Whenever I see a bulldog or even a car with a UGGer decal, I instinctively “mentally attack”.
But, gotta admit, some of their coeds turn my hair back to brown.
GOOOOOOOOOooooooooJackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
November 28, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
oh no, Terence, Schultz, and Barnhart all pick GT!!!
We’re Doomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Tex
November 28, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
A prefect comment from Michael Johnson. You have to hear about it from all the rednecks that didn’t go there. Enough said…
By CW
November 28, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
I’d much prefer if you and Barnhart had picked the dogs to win. I like Tech’s chances, but Tech seems to play better when less is expected of them.
By Battle Axe
November 28, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Oh well its up with the White & Gold, Down with the Red & Black, Georgia Tech is out for the victory, We’ll drop the Battle Axe on Georgia’s head, When we meet her our team is sure to beat her, Down on the old farm there will be no sound, ‘til our bow wows rip through the air, When the battle is over Georgia’s team will be found with the Yellow Jackets swarming around!!!
By Jon Dwyer
November 28, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Knowshon WILL know my name after this is over. GO JACKETS!!!
By beebandwagon
November 28, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Army-Navy? Are you kidding me? Army is about at the level of a Div. II team. Or maybe the level of a Gardner Webb. CPJ did win that one too though.
By Sautee Dawg
November 28, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Well there you have it. Terrance Moore says Tech will win. Jeff Shultz says it’s gonna happen, Mark Bradley thinks so too. Should i give up my tickets and not attend? You 3 got me worried.
By mr. nice
November 28, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
UGA 35 GT 14
By Tech Forever
November 28, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Hey Andy in Ohio,
Wouldn’t the AJC being located in ATLANTA and Georgia Tech being located in ATLANTA make the paper GT’s “hometown paper?” Does the Athens Herald (or whatever it’s called) cover GT objectively or do they openly pull for UGA?
By wes
November 28, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
I liked TECH to beat Georgia, too, until all the sportswriters picked the Jackets to win.
By Atlanta Native
November 28, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore = Wise Man!!!!
By Jen
November 28, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA TECH! GO DAWGS NOT A CHANCE FOR TECH!!! LOLOL ONCE AGAIN TONY…. YOU WILL BE PROVED WRONG! GO DAWGS
By SEC Overrated
November 28, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Lsu loses to arkansas. lol. yeah dawgs that lsu win sure was a tough one. how many points did you d give up? ole miss is your 4th best conference team. lol again. wake forest beat them. lol. can’t wait to watch these pathetic mid tier sec teams get waxed in their bowl games. who’s the chikfila gonna take? ole miss i suppose. maybe they can have a rematch with wake. lol
can’t wait to watch the refs give ga the game tomorrow. they always do when it’s close.
By Mark Richt's brother
November 28, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Ga Tech wins big 38-17 over the overhyped overrated Dawgs!
By Zeb
November 28, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Battle Axe…….good to hear you’re so confident. But…..are you more hopeful than you are confident of a win????? Who knows what’s gonna happen tomorrow…..I’m not one of our 20 year old adamant fans who will demand a win and think it’s gonna happen…….gonna be a great game…………I’m more of a realist and think that we are pretty evenly matched across the board and whichever teams executes their plan will prevail………….whatever teams comes out on top…………it won’t affect the fact that I’ve got to put my 2 sons thru college…………it’s all relevant in life.
By BR
November 28, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
You have to hear about it from all the GA fans that didn’t go there? What about all (and by all I mean 20) of the Tech fans this year that have come crawling out of the woodwork? I have never in my life seen more of a display of bandwagon fans. The nerds win a few games and all of a sudden their “fans” start acting like they should be playing for the nat’l championship. They BARELY beat Clemson and Gardner Webb, yet that is never brought up. Interesting. I’m sure after tomorrow we’ll hear the same old same old, “oh well, we’re more of a basketball school anyway.” GO DAWGS!
By Stinging LocoMOTION in Athens
November 28, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
GT’s triple option is a Locomotive full of seven years worth of steam and the defensive front will rattle the puppies.GEORGIA TECH 35..GEORGIA 24
By DAWGHATER
November 29, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
“TO HELL WITH GEORGIA” GO JACKETS! RAMBLE ON BABY! IT’S TIME TO SHUT UP THE OVERATED PUPPIES. GT ROLLS!
By B Dodd
November 29, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Emotion is exactly the reason GT will loose big…if they get down early, they will be deflated for the rest of the game. Ground game of GA better than GT considering the talent. The fact GT can’t pass makes this a no brainer….
By ReligiousDawg
November 29, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
It’s already over guys, you can’t run that triple option crap on a wet field. The Gods are smiling on the Dawgs again. Tech has no chance in these conditions. Ha Ha, eight in a row losers!!!!
By TonyDawgFan1
November 29, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Wow Terrence Moore, you seem to remind me every single day I read something you write at how much I really can’t stand you. Trendy pick!!! GO DAWGS!!
By splitatom
November 29, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Damn Terrance, you’re good!
By jj
November 29, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Great game GT..love it.
By Howie
November 29, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Good call Terence… You nailed this one…I expected Tech to play well but not to win… I did not realize that Ga. would watch them run the ball down their throats in the second half with the same play and never adjust…. I’m looking forward now to watching Stafford and Moreno play in the NFL and hope they do well… Michael Johnson will be a helluva player at that level too and I’ll be rooting for him
By John Lewi
November 29, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
So you didn’t mention Georgia’s fight song - multiple verses of 5 words ” Glory, glory, to ole Georgia” followed by” And to HELL with Georgia Tech!” Over and over and over…
At least Tech’s fight song has three different verses!
By Roy
November 29, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Good job Mr. Moore!
Glad to see that Coach Johnson’s antique offense was just as effective today as it was at Navy when he coached there. When you have the right people in your system it will work.
By bobfromCanton
November 30, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
So, what happened to all the rabid dog fans? I guess they still have a bad hangover today….
By mike brown
November 30, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
All this prove is the media is wrong about the rating OF talent across the U.S. hALF OF THE big time recruits are not the best players playing football.Thats why the small schools are popping up beating big time programs..and it will continue.UGA always proclaim one of the top classes but a good part of talent leave the state.Tech talent is just as good as UGA.Swelling the UGA football team with all the hype about themselves when knowone really knows what they have until its used.UGA was just wrong about talent choices thats all…ask steve spurier what he said about ga. when he was with the gators.
By Buzz Belle
November 30, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha - Soooo funny to read this after the game!!!! My Jackets went to their house and took them down! Go Jackets & THWG!!
By Carolina Jacket
November 30, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Right on target Sir. Good call.
By Burdell
November 30, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
You called it T! Great game. The Dawgs were baffled!
By ga_tech_92
November 30, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Kudos Mr.Moore, you called it. Impressive. Congrats Jackets, Seniors, Coach Johnson, THWG!!!