Breaking down the Yellow Jackets-Bulldogs game
JASON BUTT
Georgia's playing like a much more focused team with a defense that has grown considerably through the season. While the triple-option can give a defense problems when there's only one week to prepare for it, Georgia has enough veterans who have gone against it to help the young players prepare for it. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel have also seen more room to run through lately and should see the same again. ... Georgia 27, Georgia Tech 17.
MICHAEL A. LOUGH
Both teams are inconsistent, and thus, hard to figure out. Senior day emotions can be the difference in this one when overall seasons are so-so and a medium bowl awaits. ... Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 21.
RON SEIBEL
After some rough spots midseason, Georgia seems to be heading on a positive trajectory. Georgia Tech has more experience, but Georgia has more raw talent. Both teams are bowl eligible, so no extra incentive there. In the end, experience edges raw talent by a nose. ... Georgia Tech 27, Georgia 24.
DANIEL SHIRLEY
This feels like a toss up of all toss ups. Both teams are 7-4 and seem to be playing better here at the end of the season. Anything, really, could happen Saturday, but home-field advantage should push the Bulldogs over the top. ... Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 28.
STAN AWTREY
There have been more compelling matchups in the history of this series, but few have been more puzzling. Neither team has really distinguished itself in any area, and that has resulted in a dead-even game. In that case, the difference may be special teams, perhaps a Harrison Butker field goal at the end. ... Georgia Tech 27, Georgia 24.
BRAD HARRISON
Georgia Tech’s going to get its rushing yards regardless of anything Georgia does defensively. The key for the Bulldogs will be to make plays on the edge defensively to stop big plays. Look for the Georgia to do just enough offensively to move the ball and avoid multiple three and outs. The Bulldogs’ special teams will also need to be steady as they have been in recent weeks, as well. ... Georgia 28, Georgia Tech 17.
RYAN JORDAN
As has been the trend lately in this series, we should see another game decided in the fourth quarter. Georgia’s inability to move the ball on offense at times or punt effectively, should play into the hands of the Yellow Jackets in a field position game, but it won’t be enough. Both teams enter with momentum, but the progression of Georgia’s young defensive linemen through the course of the season will make the difference. The Bulldogs come away with a stop late and make a winner of Kirby Smart in his first Clean Old Fashioned Hate game as a head coach. ... Georgia 23, Georgia Tech 20.
JOHN KOSATER
My pick may have been different two weeks ago, because I thought Georgia may be looking at a five win season. The Auburn game changed all that. Georgia is finally playing like a confident team on both sides of the ball, but I believe that Georgia Tech will be a challenge as always. But Georgia will pound Georgia Tech with a running game that will go for around 250 yards, with Chubb and Michel scoring touchdowns and having close to 100 yards. Jacob Eason also will continue to improve and hurt Georgia Tech deep at least once and end with about 180 yards through the air. Justin Thomas keeps it close for most of the day, but in the end it’s a , win. ... Georgia 31 Georgia Tech 23.
BOBBY POPE
Georgia has too much talent to lose to Georgia Tech. If this is the final regular-season game for Chubb, he will go out in style. Georgia Tech gives up a lot of yardage, and Chubb should have one of those 200-yard days. The Yellow Jackets were beaten everywhere but on the scoreboard against Virginia last week, but they won’t be so lucky this week. I look for Georgia Tech to score a lot but not enough. ... Georgia 42, Georgia Tech 38.
BILL SHANKS
Georgia’s defensive line is getting better by the week, so the matchup with Georgia Tech will be a great challenge. We’ll see if Dedrick Mills can make a difference for the Yellow Jackets on offense. Riley Ridley and Javon Wims are emerging as wide receiver targets for Eason, and they’ll push Georgia Tech a bit to open up the running game. It should be a great matchup. ... Georgia 24, Georgia Tech 20.
This story was originally published November 25, 2016 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Breaking down the Yellow Jackets-Bulldogs game."