No. 1 Georgia puts 11-0 record on line against Georgia Tech

The Associated Press
Updated ·2 min read

No. 1 Georgia (11-0, No. 1 CFP) at Georgia Tech (3-8), Saturday at noon EST (ABC).

Line: 35 1/2 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Georgia leads 68-39-5 according to Georgia and 68-41-5 according to Georgia Tech. Georgia does not count the 1943-44 games won by Georgia Tech when the Yellow Jackets used players from a World War II Naval Academy training program on campus.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Georgia needs a win to protect its top ranking in the College Football Playoff. It is possible the Bulldogs could lose to Georgia Tech and still secure a spot in the playoff by beating No. 3 Alabama in next week's SEC championship game in Atlanta, but a loss to Georgia Tech would place doubt into that projection. Georgia is looking to wrap up its first undefeated regular season since 1982. Georgia Tech is playing for its first home win over the Bulldogs since 1999.

KEY MATCHUP

Georgia Tech RB Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Georgia's run defense. Gibbs ranks No. 1 nationally with 163.8 all-purpose yards per game (1,802 total) and eighth in the ACC with 745 yards rushing. Georgia, which leads the nation in total defense and scoring defense, ranks second in the nation with 77.3 yards allowed per game on the ground.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Georgia Tech: Centers Mikey Minihan and Weston Franklin. Minihan has started every game but has missed time in each of the last three games. Franklin, a freshman, could again be forced to play significant snaps against Georgia's imposing defensive front.

Georgia: Wide receivers Dominick Blaylock and George Pickens could be returning to health just in time for the postseason. Blaylock had two catches last week in his first game of the season while Pickens, returning from a knee injury, was in uniform but did not play. Pickens was expected to be the Bulldogs' top receiver before hurting his knee in the spring.

FACTS & FIGURES

The teams did not play last season due to the SEC using conference-only schedules during the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first year since 1924 the state rivals did not play. ... Georgia has won nine of the last 11 in the series. The Bulldogs have won the last 10 games played in Atlanta, a streak that began in 2001. ... Georgia Tech is trying to snap a string of 11 consecutive losses to top-10 teams. The Yellow Jackets' last win over a No. 1 team was a 41-38 win at No. 1 Virginia on Nov. 3, 1990. ... Georgia Tech has been outscored 89-9 since holding a 21-7 lead over Boston College on Nov. 13.

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