Rocky Top comes calling
Yesterday Georgia Tech and the University of Tennessee announced a home and home series in football for the 2026 and 2027 season. This decision came in the wake of Nebraska dropping their scheduled home and home between Tennessee for the same period. In order to add the games to their schedule Georgia Tech had to cancel their remaining away game with Georgia State which was scheduled for 2026.
Adam Cairns-Imagn Images
This news came as a surprise to most and the response from the Georgia Tech faithful seems mixed. While this is another big game which would put eyes on the Jackets it is certainly more difficult than playing Georgia State (apologies for the hard truth Georgia State fans) and could hurt our chances of becoming ranked or even making a bowl game.
Personally, I have 3 thoughts that I keep coming back to in response to the scheduling news:
1. I’m sad that we have to miss out on another game against Georgia State. I liked the idea of a game against our neighbors from 1.6 miles down the road (about a 30-minute drive depending on Atlanta traffic). I don’t think most people think much of Georgia State’s football program but having an Atlanta centric game was a fun concept and I’ll miss it.
2. Georgia Tech is not making things easier on themselves, and that’s a good thing. One of the big things that J Batt and Brent Key have done a great job of is establishing GT as a brand people want to watch. We’re a fun team that fights hard and gets big upsets, who doesn’t love a hard fighting underdog. Right now, the ACC is increasing payouts for teams who can get viewership, so Georgia Tech needs to strike while the iron is hot and keep making a name for themselves.
Is Tennessee and easy matchup? Absolutely not, but they are a matchup that will draw in more fans and get us more money. Georgia State just cannot bring the same viewership unfortunately.
3. This is the kind of challenge Georgia Tech needs to take on. Right now, fans are happy coming off the coach 404 era. Pretty much any winning season is a good one, but that will not last. If GT is going to remain competitive and keep moving forward, we will need to be taking on teams like Tennessee. It’s a challenge, but we’ve won tough games before so there is no reason to think we can’t rise to the occasion.
3a. Side thought, it’s not like playing worse teams have guaranteed wins for us. If we’re going to lose, I would rather see us lose trying to take on a team like Tennessee than lose embarrassingly to a team like Bowling Green or Citadel
3b. Also, if things start leaning towards the ACC falling apart it doesn’t hurt for us to be building relationships with SEC schools.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Overall, I think this was a great move by J Batt and I am looking forward to the series. I know not everyone agrees with me, so let me know what you think in the comments. Go Jackets!!!