Georgia seniors hope to go out strong against Georgia Tech

The senior class has won three straight games against the Yellow Jackets. Overall, Georgia has won five straight in the series against Georgia Tech that’s dubbed “Clean Old-Fashioned Hate”

“We still have to practice,” Georgia senior cornerback Damian Swann said. “We have to approach it every year with an attitude to say that we’ve got to get a stop. Regardless of what we’ve done in the past, on that particular day we have to get a stop for us to get another win.”

Georgia will honor its seniors before the game at Sanford Stadium.

“It hasn’t hit me yet that it’s the last game, but it’s what you want in a rivalry game,” Georgia senior center David Andrews said. “It’s Tech, so you can’t ask for a better game. I’m just trying to enjoy this week, soak up this week.”

Georgia coach Mark Richt is concerned about a Georgia Tech team that’s 9-2 and headed to the ACC title game in Charlotte, N.C., to face Florida State. It will be a test for Georgia’s defense, which has improved under first-year defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Georgia Tech ranks first in the ACC in total offense, scoring offense, rushing offense, and yards per completion.

“We’re looking forward to it, because it’s two outstanding football teams playing pretty darn good this time of the year,” Richt said.

State bragging rights take priority today in a contest featuring two of the country’s most powerful rushing attacks.

Georgia Tech ranks third in the nation at 327.9 yards per game, while Georgia sits 12th at 260.5, and both teams have benefited from the emergence of backs pressed into service.

Georgia Tech’s Synjyn Days has averaged 125.8 yards his past four games, while Georgia’s Nick Chubb has posted six consecutive 100-plus yard efforts. The Bulldogs have won five in a row and 12 of the past 13 against Georgia Tech, rallying from a 20-point deficit to upend the Yellow Jackets 41-34 in overtime last season in Atlanta.