Georgia has a few more tricky games left on the schedule. One of which is Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to end the regular season. Although the Yellow Jackets enter their second bye of the year after a tough conference loss to North Carolina State, this team is still very much in the mix to make the College Football Playoff. They will need to win the ACC to probably make it there.
Although Georgia will be a sizable favorite in the "neutral-site affair" at Mercedes-Benz Stadium later this month, it could be for a playoff berth depending on who wins. For Georgia, that could get the Bulldogs either their 10th or 11th win, depending on what happens vs. Mississippi State and Texas. As for Georgia Tech, a win in Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate could get the Jackets in with an at-large bid.
Of course, everyone wants to hire their terrific head coach in Brent Key. Will he leave his alma mater?
Brent Key speaks on Georgia Tech job and upcoming coaching carousel
On Thursday, Key effectively shut down any notion that he plans to leave his alma mater at this time.
"Slice me open and see what colors I bleed."
Key continued by saying that he is not yet close to finishing what he is building over at Georgia Tech.
"Other than when I'm with my family, every waking second of my life has gone toward building this program to get to the point that it is right now. So we can continue, three years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now, to continue to elevate this place. Not to be in there two or three weeks. Not when you lose one game for people to say the storybook's over. Nah. It's just beginning."
Key played his college football at Georgia Tech under George O'Leary. He was an all-conference lineman for the Ramblin' Wreck. While he is a Birmingham native and served under Nick Saban at Alabama, he does not want to have his name tied to other jobs right now, namely well-thought-of SEC vacancies like Auburn and Florida. Either way, Key plans to remain coaching a major rival of Georgia.
Let's unpack the significance of these comments from Key and what they mean to Georgia right now.
Brent Key wanting to stay at Georgia Tech is quite fantastic for Georgia
Look. The fact bigger and better jobs like Auburn and Florida have interest in Key tells you everything you need to know about the Georgia Tech head coach. Given that he could turn around Georgia Tech after the mindless buffoon in the rain that was Geoff Collins speaks volumes to Key's coaching acumen. At some point, he might even be able to beat his most hated rival in Georgia. Just not now...
The fact Key wants to stay at Georgia Tech is actually quite fantastic for Georgia. This means Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate will continue to matter. If this is the type of Georgia Tech we are going to see moving forward, then it will challenge Kirby Smart and the rest of the program to be fully locked in heading into conference championship week. It is a rivalry game, but a ranked rival is always special.
So not only will Key have Georgia more honed in than normal to play Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate, but him not leaving Atlanta will prevent other rivals such as Auburn and Florida from hiring an outstanding head coach. Yes, Auburn and Florida could get someone good, but Key would certainly check that box if he were to ever leave the Ramblin' Wreck behind. Georgia will be able to use it to its advantage.
For as long as Key stays at Georgia Tech, Kirby Smart and his Georgia staff should be fully engaged.