After years of domination, rivalry no longer looks one-sided

ATLANTA - This time last year, Georgia and Georgia Tech intersected from the same general direction. But after Georgia Tech rallied to beat the Bulldogs, the programs departed on divergent paths

Georgia Tech goes into this season's intra-state showdown with a top-10 ranking and post-Thanksgiving date in a conference championship game, not to mention a possible BCS bid after New Year's Day.

Georgia limps into today's game scratching its heads over a frustrating season and wondering what has happened since the Bulldogs began 2008 as the preseason No. 1-ranked team.

"They're our rival and they're in state, so you have to hear all year about how they beat us," Georgia defensive tackle Kade Weston said. "You hear it everywhere, on the street and everywhere. It's something we've got to get back starting this week.

"We had won seven in a row, so they got accustomed to not being able to talk much. But when they beat us, now you've got to hear it. You have to look at the pictures of them breaking up the hedges and having fun on our field after they beat us."

Georgia (6-5) travels to Georgia Tech (11-1) for the annual duel for intra-state dominance today. Kickoff is at 8:12 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech beat Georgia 45-42 last year to snap a seven-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.

"It gave us a lot of motivation because we were able to come in and do something that nobody thought we could do - beat Georgia," Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer said. "We play these guys (Georgia) every year and it's always a tough game, no matter what. So beating them meant a lot, especially since we hadn't done it in such a long time. It was definitely the most memorable moment of my college career so far. Hopefully we can make another memory this week."

Georgia Tech goes into the game favored by about a touchdown and with momentum on its side. The Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 7. Last season, Georgia had problems stopping Paul Johnson's flexbone option offense, and the Yellow Jackets have improved even more this season.

"My best friend goes to Georgia Tech and my sister's boyfriend goes to Georgia Tech, so I hear about it a lot," Georgia punter Drew Butler said. "They think the tide has changed, and we're not going to win anytime soon. They're looking forward to beating us the next five or six years. It's not fun to hear, but it's expected."

Emotions run high

The game matches two programs within the same state that share the same backyard. Because the fan bases intermingle so much, emotions can run high.

"They are all very hard-fought battles," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "I understand the emotion of young men playing the game because they know so many guys on the other team. It's your home state, so the players care very much, too."

Georgia and Georgia Tech had similar records when they met last season. The Bulldogs were 9-2 with disappointing losses to eventual Southeastern Conference title game participants Alabama and Florida.

The Bulldogs had bounced back from a 49-10 loss against the Gators with two straight wins, albeit closer than expected, at Kentucky (42-38) and at Auburn (17-13).

Georgia wasn't going

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