Rivalry week looks a little differently this season as the expanded College Football Playoff has put even more weight on regular season finales across the sport.
David pollack, a former ESPN analyst, played in one of college football‘s historic rivalry games during his collegiate career. A former three-time All-American defensive end at Georgia, Pollack never lost to in-state rival Georgia Tech during his three-year career (2002-04).
Pollack’s Bulldogs sit at No. 7 in the new playoff rankings. Georgia (9-2) has already clinched a spot in the SECChampionship Game, but a loss in Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate on Friday could bounce Kirby Smart and company out of the playoff picture if their trip to Atlanta ends in a loss.
Georgia Bulldogs football head coach Kirby Smart and quarterback Carson Beck
© John David Mercer-Imagn Images
According to Pollack, Georgia can’t overlook the Yellow Jackets (7-4). Second-year head coach Brent Key helped keep Georgia Tech close against the Bulldogs last season, falling 8-points short in Athens.
There is plenty of familiarity with the game between the two staffs. Smart, along with multiple Georgia coaches, played in the game during their UGA careers.
On the other side, Key is a former Georgia Tech offensive lineman and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner served on Georgia’s staff during back-to-back national championship runs.
UGA is a comfortable 19-point favorite (ESPN BET) ahead of the night matchup in Athens, but Pollack sees the potential for Georgia Tech to make things eerily close.
“I know Buster (Faulkner) will have a plan,” Pollack said on “David Pollack College Football.” “I know Tech will be outmatched and outmanned, but I also know that I love, I absolutely love, Georgia Tech’s approach to this game. They’ve been very clear where they stand how about how much they hate (Georgia).”
