Well, so much for Georgia Tech serving as a scary trap game for UGA this week.
On Saturday afternoon, Georgia (11-1 overall) made good on its mid-week promise of bringing the proverbial pain to its in-state rival.
The result: A 45-21 blowout that was essentially over at halftime. Or maybe a few minutes into the second quarter.
CLEMONS: Three quick thoughts on UGA vs. Georgia Tech
CLEMONS: Check out Tech's lightning-fast response to a UGA touchdown
CLEMONS: Here's how UGA could make the Playoff ... with two losses
What made this game such a focal point for the No. 5 Dawgs, even with Alabama looming on next week's docket?
There were three factors at play:
a) The UGA players had been blissfully aware of Georgia Tech's two-game winning streak at Sanford Stadium, entering the day.
As such, they weren't too pleased with the omnipresent camera shots of former Yellow Jackets players cutting the famed 'Hedges' at UGA's venerable home field.
b) Georgia has had a razor-thin margin for making the College Football Playoff field for six weeks, after getting thumped by highly ranked LSU on Oct. 13.
So, Saturday's showdown was just another step within that must-win process.
c) Kirby Smart, UGA"s laser-focused head coach, isn't the type to look past opponents, regardless of size or stature.
Besides, Smart's, uh, smart enough to know that style points will matter to the CFP committee this weekend, when it comes to evaluating the pack of one-loss elites (Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State), along with undefeated UCF and two-loss LSU.
In other words, if walloping Georgia Tech by 31 points was required for the day, then so be it.
Every little bit helps.
PITCH PERFECT
UGA’s offensive was in perfect symmetry on this day.
**Quarterback Jake Fromm (13 of 16 for 175 yards, 4 TDs) bore the look of a future first-round pick, dissecting the Jackets defense with pinpoint precision.
**The Dawgs’ backfield accounted for 285 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while averaging nearly seven yards for the 42 cumulative touches.
Specifically, D’Andre Swift rolled for 105 yards and one score, without really breaking a sweat (14 carries).
**Nine different receivers caught at least one ball; and of this over-sized group, Mecole Hardman claimed top honors for his super-fast 44-yard touchdown catch.
**Even with Georgia’s litany of quick scores, the Dawgs still won the time-of-possession battle against the Jackets.
On the defensive end ... there's nothing to lament here:
a) Georgia Tech could muster only 12 first down, 128 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry. The Yellow Jackets were just as anemic in the passing game, failing to cross the 100-yard threshold.
b) The Jackets didn't register an offensive touchdown until their ninth drive (midway through the second half).
c) Georgia Tech had the worst luck on fourth downs in its own territory.
**For a 4th and 1 chance early in the game, a false start penalty thwarted any chance at a momentum-swing first down.
**Tech inexplicably went for it on a 4th and 6 play, when trailing only 21-7.
It didn't work out; and as a punitive punishment, the Yellow Jackets (7-5 overall) surrendered the long touchdown catch to Hardman on the very next play.
