A win is a win, but man, this one did not need to be this close... The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs survived Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate by the skin of their teeth. They defeated the No. 23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by the final score of 16-9. It was a low-scoring field goals with a pair of interceptions. The difference was a Zachariah Branch touchdown for Georgia.
This rivalry between the Dawgs and the Jackets has certainly intensified in recent years, coinciding with Brent Key taking over as Georgia Tech's head coach. While he has been unable to beat his arch rival up to this point, the last two games came down to the final play with Georgia proving victorious. This game that was once a cake walk for Georgia is no longer that. Kirby Smart is well aware of this.
Here is what he had to say right after the victory over Georgia Tech to improve to 11-1 on the season.
What Kirby Smart said right after winning Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate
When asked by ESPN's Katie George after the game what it took to win, Smart offered the following.
"Lot of patience. Give Georgia Tech a lot of credit. They stayed in the game. They played hard. I don't think we played our best game, but we made plays when we had to."
As far as Georgia not controlling its SEC Championship Game destiny, Smart did not seem worried.
“Get some recovery, do some recruiting and see what happens."
He then finished his on-field, post-game interview by saying what he is most proud of his team for.
"The resiliency, games like this. It's methodical. It's tough, hard, physical football. Win with discipline and execution. It's a tribute to the State of Georgia and the high school coaches in this state, who do such a great job for these two programs to play that hard."
Smart rarely beats around the bush in the postgame, so let's unpack what he is really trying to get at.
Kirby Smart knows Georgia will keep getting Georgia Tech's best shot
Even though Georgia Tech finished the regular season at 9-3, this was still one of the better teams in the ACC. Because of Haynes King at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets always have a chance to eke one out. While Georgia starter Gunner Stockton played his worst game of the season, he did just enough offensively to win a ball-control-laden physical slugfest vs. a team who hates them terribly.
What is important to understand is the Georgia Tech of old is no more. Yes, they may have to start a new quarterback next year, but for as long as Key is in charge of his alma mater, there will be no quit in the Ramblin' Wreck. Eventually, they are going to get one past the Dawgs. The last three times they have done some have come at Sanford Stadium, so keep that in mind. For now, Georgia owns Atlanta.
Ultimately, Georgia will get to sit back and watch the Lone Star Showdown and the Iron Bowl with great intrigue. Should either the Alabama Crimson Tide or the Texas A&M Aggies lose during rivalry week, guess who will be playing in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in eight days? Georgia and Egg Bowl champion Ole Miss need some help to make it to Atlanta, but they are both going to the playoff now.
The look on Smart's face tells us Georgia Tech is officially back to being a rival we have to care about.