GEORGIA-GEORGIA TECH GAMEDAY

Latest line: Georgia by 3 1/2

Series: Georgia leads 63-39-5, including 33-26-4 in Atlanta (although Georgia disputes two wins in Atlanta, in 1943-44)

Last UGA victory in series: 42-10 on Nov. 24 in Athens

Last Tech victory in series: 45-42 on Nov. 29, 2008, in Athens; last victory in Bobby Dodd Stadium was 51-48 on Nov. 27, 1999

Trophy/aka: The Governor's Cup/Clean Old-Fashioned Hate

Rivalry note: This is the 17th most-frequently played series in college football.

GEORGIA STORYLINES

1. Murray to Mason: It wasn't supposed to happen until August 2014. But thanks to Saturday's season-ending knee injury to Aaron Murray, Georgia's quarterback transition will take place Saturday. Hutson Mason played well in relieving Murray for the last 31 minutes against Kentucky next week. But facing arch-rival Tech in his first career start in a game known as "Clean Old-Fashioned Hate" is a different proposition all together.

2. Tackling not optional: Once again the Bulldogs will be asked to slow a triple-option team. They've done it four times under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and are 4-0 in those games, three against Tech and one against Georgia Southern. But Georgia hasn't exactly shut down the Jackets in those contests. They have averaged 320 yards rushing and 431 total in those three games. And this is the youngest and most vulnerable defense the Bulldogs have brought it yet.

3. Still a rivalry: It's true that Georgia has won 11 of the 12 games against Tech under coach Mark Richt. But as Richt pointed out, several of those games could have gone either way. With the exception of last year's 42-10 win by the Bulldogs in Athens, every other game against Paul Johnson's Jackets has been undecided entering the fourth quarter. And Georgia players have emphatically stated that this remains their most fierce rivalry.

TECH STORYLINES

1. Avoid killer mistake: Tech's four losses have had their critical mistakes — fumbles, blown coverages, interceptions. Recent losses to Georgia have featured similar failures to execute. Jackets will have to steer clear of plays that give Georgia extra chances or easy points.

2. Limit Todd Gurley: Tech has done a solid job against the run. Among its most noteworthy accomplishments this season was holding Pittsburgh to minus-5 rushing yards. Gurley, Georgia's star running back, will get his yards. It will be Tech's job to limit the explosive plays. The more it can force Mason to be a part of the Bulldogs' equation, the better the Jackets' chances likely become.

3. Win the turnover game: Tech is minus-2 for the season, and minus-9 in games against FBS competition. The Jackets have had trouble both holding onto the ball and taking it away. Georgia may be a willing partner, as the Bulldogs are minus-7 in turnover margin. The Tech defense actually has been superior in sudden-change situations — opponents have scored only seven points off of the Jackets' past 10 giveaways — but the Jackets would benefit from a big play off a takeaway.

KEY MATCHUPS

Georgia linebackers vs. Tech B-backs: Tech's B-backs are big, productive and represent the heartbeat of the Jackets' triple-option attack. David Sims (746 yards, 11 TDs) and Zach Laskey (446, 7) have carried the ball more than any other Tech backs. The responsibility of defending them falls on Bulldogs inside linebackers Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera. "It's real different," said Wilson, who leads the SEC in tackles with 119. "It's kind of annoying, you know, them trying to chop us. It's going to be a real physical game, and we're going to be going after it. We've got to do our job, every guy."

Tech defense vs. Gurley: Slowing the stellar back will require all 11 Tech defenders rallying to the ball. Coaches are concerned about his ability to break single-tackle attempts. It will mean defeating blocks at the line, tracking him with proper pursuit angles and using correct tackling technique. "That's what we're working on this week, getting a lot of guys to the ball," linebacker Quayshawn Nealy said.

TWEETS OF WEEK

“Surgery went well! I feel like I’m ready to go wreck Tech this weekend!” — @aaronmurray11 (Murray after being discharged from St. Mary’s Hospital on Wednesday)

“Biggest game of the season tomorrow…” — @Goldenchyld_4G (Tech safety Jamal Golden, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury)