In a highly anticipated matchup, No. 4 Georgia will take on No. 23 Georgia Tech this Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This game will feature two finalists for the “Golden Arm” award, showcasing the talents of quarterbacks Gunner Stockton for Georgia and Haynes King for Georgia Tech.
Both quarterbacks are recognized for their dual-threat capabilities and toughness, making this a key element of the rivalry known as “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.” Georgia, with a record of 10-1, aims to maintain its position in the College Football Playoff rankings and extend its winning streak against the Yellow Jackets. Last season, the Bulldogs triumphed in a thrilling game that went to eight overtimes, winning 44-42.
On the other hand, Georgia Tech enters the game with a 9-2 record, looking to bounce back from a disappointing 42-28 loss to Pittsburgh that ended their hopes of securing a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. King had a tough outing against Pittsburgh, throwing two interceptions, a notable shift considering he had only two interceptions for the season before that game. Despite this setback, defeating Georgia would significantly enhance the Yellow Jackets” season.
Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key acknowledged the difficulty of the previous loss but noted the advantage of having a short week to regroup. “Probably the only thing good about it was the fact that we have a short week this week and we have to flip the script fast,” Key said.
For Georgia Tech to make it to the ACC title game, they need three ranked teams from the ACC—Miami, Virginia, and SMU—to lose this week. Meanwhile, Georgia requires a loss from either Alabama or Texas A&M to secure their place in the Southeastern Conference championship game. The Bulldogs have the opportunity to dictate their fate in the CFP by winning against the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart praised King”s performance and leadership, recognizing the challenges he presents. “I know the play he puts out, and the product he puts out, and the production he has put out has really been incredible for what he has been able to do,” Smart stated. He also highlighted that while Stockton exhibits similar leadership, King has more experience.
Among the other finalists for the Golden Arm Award are Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt, and Marcel Reed from Texas A&M.
In addition to the quarterback spotlight, Georgia junior Zachariah Branch has made a significant impact this season, catching 63 passes for 638 yards. He is now tied with Brock Bowers for the second-most receptions in a season at Georgia, just behind Brice Hunter, who holds the record.
On the kicking front, Georgia Tech junior Aidan Birr is a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, recognized as one of the top placekickers in the nation. Birr has successfully converted 22 of 25 field goals and all 42 extra point attempts, ranking second nationally in field goals made.
Even though Georgia Tech is designated the home team, the players from Georgia feel comfortable in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, having played there twice last season, including a significant win against Texas in the SEC championship game.
The rivalry is steeped in history, with Georgia”s current seven-game winning streak matching the longest in the series. Georgia has recorded 20 wins in their last 23 meetings with Georgia Tech, whose last home victory against the Bulldogs was in 1999. This matchup marks only the third instance where both teams have entered the game with at least nine wins, adding to the stakes of this exciting encounter.
