Georgia Tech vs No. 7 Georgia: What is at Stake for the Yellow Jackets In Tonight's Game?

Georgia Tech hopes to knock off rival Georgia tonight in Athens and earn their first victory in the rivalry since 2016

Nov 25, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

It is finally gameday for one of the best rivalry games in college football. Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3) heads to Athens to face No. 7 Georgia (9-2, 6-2) and Brent Key's team is hoping to put a dent in the Bulldog's College Football Playoff hopes, though Georgia would still be alive due to playing in the SEC Championship next weekend. There is a lot at stake for both teams, but what about what is at stake for Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech vs Georgia

• This year's matchup marks only the second time in the 118-game history of the  Georgia Tech-Georgia rivalry — which dates back to 1893 — that the teams will  square off on a Friday. The previous Friday matchup came on Nov. 25, 1994 in  Athens. 

• While Georgia has won 18 of the last 21 matchups in the rivalry, the Yellow  Jackets' most recent success in the series has come in Athens, where Tech has won  twice in its last four trips and three times in its last seven visits.  

• The Yellow Jackets are facing their third top-10 opponent of the season. Tech is  2-0 in its previous two matchups against top-10 teams — a 24-21 win over then No. 10-ranked Florida State in the season opener in Dublin, Ireland on Aug. 24 and  

a 28-23 triumph over then-No. 4 Miami (Fla.) on Nov. 9. The Jackets are one of only  12 unranked teams that have beaten a top-10 opponent this season, and the only  unranked squad that has done it twice.  

• With a win on Friday, this season's Yellow Jackets would become only the second  team in Georgia Tech history with three wins over top-10 opponents in one season.  The 1959 Jackets defeated No. 6 SMU (16-12), No. 6 Clemson (16-6) and No. 8  Tennessee (14-7) in three consecutive weeks — Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10,  1959.

• Georgia Tech is 2-0 this season against top-10 opponents — a season-opening 24-21 win over then-No. 10 Florida State on  Aug. 24 in Dublin, Ireland and a 28-23 victory over then-No. 4 Miami (Fla.) on Nov. 9. The Yellow Jackets are one of only 12  unranked teams that have beaten a top-10 opponent this season, and the only unranked team that has done it twice. Tech  is also only the ninth team in ACC history to knock off two top-10 opponents in the same regular season (Clemson - 1981,  Florida State - 1993, Florida State - 1999, Florida State - 2000, Miami - 2004, Virginia Tech - 2004, Maryland - 2007,  Florida State - 2013 and Georgia Tech - 2024). 

• If Georgia Tech wins, be its third win of the season over a top-10 opponent,  which would match the school record originally set in 1959.

• If the Yellow Jackets win, it would also break the ACC record for most wins over top-10 op ponents in a single regular season.

• If Georgia Tech wins, it would be its first win over archrival Georgia since 2016, snap ping a six-game losing streak in the series.

Additional Links:

Georgia Tech vs No.7 Georgia: Complete Game Preview and Final Score Prediction

Georgia Tech vs Georgia: Four Georgia Defenders To Watch On Friday Against The Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech Football: Three Georgia Bulldogs to Watch In Clean-Old Fashioned Hate