Johnson: Tech Not Looking Past Georgia

Georgia's football season has been, well, a nightmare.

The Bulldogs are next to last in the country in turnover ratio. They lead the SEC and are 116th nationally in penalty yards. They are nearly allowing just as many points (26.6) as they are scoring (27.5). They don't have a dependable quarterback or a defense. Let's not forget their coaching issues either. And, a moment of silence for Uga VII, the 4-year-old English Bulldog/team mascot that died unexpectedly two weeks ago from heart disease.

All that said, No.7 Georgia Tech should coast to an easy home win on Saturday against Georgia, right? Not so fast, says Tech head coach Paul Johnson, who also offers a unique view on the rivalry.

"I'm sure they're going to come in here and play one of their best games," Johnson said.

"I would expect nothing less. We're going to try and get ready to play one of our best [games]. They've got a lot to play for and so do we. It ought to be a good game."

Ought to be might be putting it nicely, considering the circumstances.

Georgia Tech (10-1) has the No. 2 rushing offense in the country at 314.1 yards per game, and Georgia (6-5) has the No. 3 rushing defense in the SEC with 120.5 yards per game.

However, the Bulldogs couldn't slow the Yellow Jackets last year in Tech's 45-42 win -- Georgia blew a 28-12 halftime lead and allowed 26 points in the third quarter -- and Georgia Tech is averaging nearly 100 more yards of total offense than Georgia (449.6 to 357) this season.

Johnson, meanwhile, says his preparation for Georgia isn't any different from any opponent. He understands the game's tradition and importance, but believes the game is one step towards the goal of winning championships.

Johnson also disagreed with the perception that Tech's victory last season over the Bulldogs defined its season since it failed to advance to the ACC title game.

"I told somebody earlier that this is not the end-all, do-all for our football program to beat Georgia. We want to win our share of games against them and it's an in-state rivalry game and all," Johnson said.

"I understand that, but it's not going to define our year if we beat Georgia.I don't know if it defined our season last year. I know it did to some of our fans. I think you're putting [Georgia] on a pretty high pedestal.

"Do you think beating Georgia Tech defines Georgia's season? I bet if you ask them, they'd probably tell you no. It's an important game and you don't want to diminish that, but let's not get carried away."

Frustrated Georgia fans, however, certainly want to get carried away and an upset victory would help soothe their anger.

It doesn't matter that Georgia has won seven of the eight games in the series in the Mark Richt Era. The programs have headed in opposite directions very quickly since Tech's victory last season.

"When you watch the tape, when they don't beat themselves, they're a very good football team," Johnson said.

Unfortunately for Georgia, that's been one of its biggest problems.

The Bulldogs have forced eight turnovers and converted them into 27 points. Opponents, meanwhile, have scored 102 points off 26 Bulldog miscues. Nineteen of the 26 turnovers have been in Georgia territory.

Georgia is 119th nationally in turnover margin behind Miami-Ohio.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Joe Cox ranks fourth in the SEC in terms of passing efficiency (138.7 percent) among full-time starters with 21 touchdown passes. However, his 14 interceptions have played a role in the turnover issues that have plagued the Bulldogs.

"I can't change what's happened; all I can do is keep playing," Cox said. "Hopefully, people will see -- not only me -- but our team as one that will never quit."

It remains unclear if receiver A.J. Green (shoulder) and safety Bacarri Rambo (concussion) will be cleared to play Saturday. Injured against Auburn two weeks ago, the pair did not play in last week's defeat against Kentucky.

If that's not enough, Richt and his staff -- namely embattled defensive coordinator Willie Martinez -- also have to prepare for Tech's triple-option.

Georgia has allowed at least 30 points in 10 of its past 20 games, while Tech has scored 28 points or more in seven straight games.

"It's a very good system," Richt said of Tech's offense.

"(Johnson) calls a game without a sheet. He doesn't have to reinvent it every week. He's got it right in his mind and he's done it so often that he knows how people will defend it; if they do this we are going to do that. It's a matter of not only what they are doing, but how well they execute it and how well Paul understands it to be able to make any adjustment he needs to make."

The Yellow Jackets, who will play Clemson in the ACC Championship, need a victory to continue their climb in the national polls.

That's the primary reason why Johnson isn't consumed with the rivalry like many Tech and Georgia fans. He has bigger goals in mind.

"You're going to have fans that treat any game as a big game," Johnson said.

"I understand it's a big game. I'm not backing away from that, but what I'm trying to say is, it's not going to end our season if we win or lose the game. I'm not going to let one game define my football season when I have to play 13 games.

"Now, if I was 0-12, I might let that one game define me, but we have other things to play for. Does that lessen the fact that we want to win the game, no. We want to win the game as much as Georgia does."