LIVE: Georgia lost East but has tangible goals against Tech

ATHENS -- Welcome to the morning after.

Georgia and Georgia Tech go into their annual rivalry game today in a position that few could have expected a month ago -- with the Jackets potentially having more to play for. While Tech clinched a berth in the ACC championship game against Florida State last week, Georgia lost its big for an SEC title invite when Missouri beat Arkansas Friday night to win the SEC East.

The question now is whether that result will deflate the Bulldogs going into today's noon game.

Because Georgia didn't win the East, it can't win the SEC and therefore can't make it into the college football playoffs (even if the odds were still against that happening because of the loss to Florida). The Jackets also lost to two games in which they were favorites, to Duke and North Carolina. But they can at least tease themselves with thoughts that wins over No. 9 Georgia today and No. 3 Florida State next week would give them a slim shot in the playoff field.

Is Georgia without anything to gain today? Hardly. The Dogs, who've won five straight meetings with Tech and 12 of 13 under coach Mark Richt, would love to maintain their dominance over their in-state rival. A win today also could have significant non-playoff bowl ramifications.

Here's a link to Tim Tucker's story on bowl possibilities for both schools. Georgia has a chance to play in an upgraded Peach, Orange, Fiesta or Cotton Bowl.

This will serve as the live Georgia blog for today's game. Mark Bradley will have a live Georgia Tech blog. But as long as y'all agree to play nice, anybody can hang out here.

I now turn it over to you.

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