This is my nightmare...

For years I have told people that I think the rivalry with Tech is an awful idea.  Georgia has nothing to gain by playing Tech.  Where the two programs are right now, Georgia should beat Tech every year.  That is an amazingly high standard, that obviously can't be kept.

Mark Richt has done a fantastic job with this rivalry since he has come to Athens.  10-1 against Tech.  Almost perfect. Almost.

The loss was in 2008, at home.  The 2008 team was also the 2nd most talented team that Georgia has had under Richt.  Second only to this year's team.  Not making you feel good?

Before last week's game with Georgia Southern, I said that Southern would score more against the Dawgs than Tech would.  I was surprised how well Georgia handled Southern's running game, especially in the second half.  After Georgia's game finished last Saturday afternoon, I could not have been more confident that Georgia would crush Tech and head to Atlanta for the SEC title game.

So what changed?

Stanford beat Oregon and Baylor beat Kansas State.

But that is a good thing, right?

Yes.  But it causes me to be more concerned about this game.

You see, I have always thought that the Tech rivalry was pointless because one day, I didn't know when, Georgia would be having a great season, and would be in the hunt for the National Championship.  They would get to the end of the schedule, and they would have to play a mediocre Tech team.  Then, inexplicably, the Tech team would upset my beloved Dawgs, and cause them to miss out on the National Championship.

This is my nightmare.

Georgia is more talented than Tech in every aspect of the game.  Georgia is playing its best football of the entire season.  Georgia has everything to play for, while Tech can do nothing on Saturday that can help or hurt them.  There is no reason to think that this game should even be close.

But then you remember last week.  Stanford is a good team, so you can see how they beat Oregon.  However, Baylor has a terrible defense.  They gave up 70 points to West Virginia earlier this season.  There is no reason to think that they could stop the inevitable Heisman trophy winner.  But that is exactly what happened.  Sports are the original reality television, and anything can happen.

There is only one thing about this situation that makes me feel better.

Mark Richt.

Richt has said all week that his team is focused on Georgia Tech.  Some people might think that is coach-speak, but not me.  Richt knows what is at stake.  He has been at Georgia a long time, and there is only thing he hasn't achieved.  This is as important to Mark Richt, his future, his family, and his legacy as it is to any person in this world.

Georgia can't win the National Title this Saturday, but they sure can lose it.

Mark Richt won't let them.

Tech's offense is a gimmick. They will move the ball, but at the end of the day, they are just not good enough to beat Georgia.  Personally, I think the Dawgs are going to make a statement.  They are number three now, and everyone assumes that the upsets last week mean Alabama will get a shot at Notre Dame for the title.  I think the coaches and the players are going to send a little message to the nation to not count the Dawgs out just yet.

Georgia will win this game in convincing style, move on to Atlanta, keep the dream alive, and avoid my nightmare.

Georgia 52    North Avenue Trade School  13

GO DAWGS!!!!!