Georgia Tech vs Georgia: Three Takeaways from the Yellow Jacket's loss to the Bulldogs

Georgia Tech will now await to see where they go for their bowl game

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Nov 26, 2023 11:12 AM EST

In this story:

They came closer than many projected them to, but Georgia Tech still was not able to end their losing streak to their archrivals. Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key does not care much for moral victories, but there is plenty for him and his team to be proud of tonight after this game.

For Key and his team now, they will wait and see where they head to play in a bowl game. It will be the program's first since 2018 and it will give them a chance to finish with a winning record.

So what are the takeaways after the 31-23 loss to No. 1 Georgia?

1. The running attack was fantastic

Dontae Smith — Georgia Tech ran for over 200 yards against the No. 1 Bulldogs
Nathaniel Caudell

I said before the game that the running game was going to have a great performance for this team to have a chance to pull the upset against Georgia and I think they got the kind of effort that they needed.

Georgia Tech ran for 205 yards against one of the best defenses in the nation and it has been a long time since Georgia Tech was able to have that kind of success against Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. Jamal Haynes led the way with 82 yards, Dontae Smith had 69 yards and Haynes King had 43 yards.

The offensive line also had a good night. They were not pushed around by Georgia and they consistently opened holes for the ball carries. This is one of the top rushing attacks in the country and they showed it last night.

2. This is the best game Georgia Tech has played vs Georgia since 2016

Since the Yellow Jackets last win vs Georgia in 2016, every game between the two teams has been decided by double-digits. Last year, the Yellow Jackets played a close first half against the Bulldogs, but lost 37-14. For the first time since 2016, Georgia Tech did not lose by double digits and played a four quarter game against Georgia. If the Yellow Jackets get a stop on that final drive, they could have gotten the ball back with a chance to tie it.

This is a step forward for Brent Key and this program. You can tell when he talked with the media this week (and since he has been hired), this game means a lot to him and he won't quit working until they can end this losing streak vs the Bulldogs. There is still a ways to go, but last night's game was a good step forward.

3. The defense is going to need to make big strides next year for this program to keep improving

As long as Georgia Tech keeps Buster Faulkner, I have faith that the Yellow Jackets will score points. For this program to improve upon a 6-6 regular season next year, the defense has to be much better.

Now, Georgia's offense is as good as anyone's in the country and they will score points, but they scored with too much ease at times last night and when Georgia recovered the onside kick, they could not come up with a stop. There is a lot of improvement to be made and that should be a top priority for Brent Key this offseason.