Georgia defensive lineman Julian Rochester (5) and his fellow Bulldogs on that side of the ball must transition from Saturday's win over pass-happy UMass to Georgia Tech's ground-based triple-option attack.ATHENS, Ga. - In the minutes after Georgia's 66-27 victory over the University of Massachusetts on Saturday, several Bulldogs players said they would employ the "24-hour rule" and celebrate their latest win before turning their attention to this week's in-state rivalry game with Georgia Tech.
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart admitted Saturday night he wouldn't have that luxury.
"As soon as I can turn their tape on, I'll be turning it on, because it's very different for us," Smart said. "Most of the time, I try to have a 24-hour rule, too, but this one is different. You don't have enough time to prepare for them.
"You never have enough time. You always feel crammed preparing for this offense, because you so rarely see it."
The Yellow Jackets and their triple-option attack are flourishing again in coach Paul Johnson's 11th season in Atlanta, leading the nation in rushing yards (3,891), rushing yards per game (353.7) and rushing touchdowns (44). They have won four straight games after a shaky start and will arrive at Sanford Stadium not only with a 7-4 record but seeking a third straight triumph in Georgia's house.
Georgia rolled to a 38-7 win last November in Atlanta, holding the then-spiraling Jackets to 188 yards on the ground.
"Tech is always on our mind, and our mindset has to switch right now, honestly," Bulldogs senior inside linebacker Natrez Patrick said. "We've got to get in the rhythm of things, because we know how this week of practice goes. We know what it's like when we play them, so it's time to get it rolling."
In drubbing UMass, the Bulldogs endured an offense that threw 32 times for 287 yards. UMass senior receiver Andy Isabella, a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, amassed 219 of those yards on 15 receptions, but Georgia is facing the complete opposite this week.
The Jackets routed Virginia Tech 49-28 last month by racking up 465 yards, with all of them coming on the ground. Georgia Tech attempted just one pass against the Hokies, which is why Smart said the UMass game will have "zero carryover" for this week's task.
"The only common theme is that you have to tackle the man with the ball. That's the only common theme," Smart said. "These guys are playing at a really high level and are playing better on defense. They're really coming together at the right time. They're beating some good teams. We had eight or nine guys last year who had played against that offense for two straight years, and familiarity with that offense is critical.
"We have a lot of guys now who haven't played against it."
Georgia produced 701 yards of total offense against the Minutemen, with sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm hoping that the "mojo" the Bulldogs are creating offensively can continue this week. The Bulldogs and Jackets have split their past four meetings after Georgia had enjoyed a 12-1 series run from 2001 to 2013, with Georgia Tech's recent surge at the expense of Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Miami and Virginia adding spice to this year's showdown.
"This one means a lot to me," Georgia junior running back Elijah Holyfield said. "We remember the last time they came in here and the way we went out. We'll be very pumped up for this game and very excited."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.