The view from the other side of the science museum.

Adam hates Georgia Tech.  This much is obvious.  He grew up in an area in close proximity to North Avenue, and thus had/has to deal with a lot of boisterous, not-as-intelligent-as-the-school-supposedly-is fans who never have anything to back up their own program, rather can only take pot shots at others.  Knowing this, I can't really blame him for his disdain of the nerds.

Myself, I grew up in suburbia, at a behemoth of a school that sent about 50 students to Georgia and about 15 to Tech.  And what's more, as I've mentioned before on this blog, I grew up a Tech fan before I righted myself off of that sinking ship.  Therefore, my experience with Techies is slightly different.  Instead of the unabashed rage, I feel pity.

Before I go any further, it has come to my attention that this article summarizes UGA's perspective on this supposed "rivalry" better than I ever could.  Furthermore, it should be pointed out that Georgia Tech is considered at best Georgia's third biggest rival behind Florida and Auburn, based on statistics put out by the Gwinnett Daily Post, and possibly the fourth behind Tennessee.

Things are different from the Georgia Tech perspective, though.  Since the only other teams in the ACC that remotely care about football are three tiers above the Yellow Jackets in terms of national recognition, the only school that reciprocates their taunting is the University

 of Georgia.  This makes the Georgia/GT game the most important game of the year, which is a beautiful segue-way back to my initial point - pity.  Allow me to walk you through a year-by-year case of what has gone through a Georgia Tech fan's mind since the last time they beat Georgia.

2001:  Things start off good.  The Joe Hamilton experience is over, and his luster never reached Herschel proportions, but that simply was never going to happen.  A preseason top 5 team with a 3 year winning streak over the Dawgs (controversy abound, but a score is a score) ve

ry quickly led to disappointment as George Godsey and Joe Burns proved unable to keep up with a freshman David Greene.  The end of the season gave the team some redemption, as not only did GT beat the #11 ranked Stanford, but Georgia lost to Boston College in the Music City Bowl.  A common theme develops here, as fans think "Sure, we couldn't beat Georgia, but those other guys sure did.  Sucks to be you (also us).

2002:  Well, everything good about last year is gone.  George O'Leary is a household joke, and George Godsey and Joe Burns graduated and are looking for spots in the CFL somewhere (even though Georgia Tech degrees are worth their weight in pocket protectors).  We have this new quarterback, though, A.J. Suggs, who transferred in from Tennessee, so he has to be good.  Sure, he can't win a spot from a guy whose name is "Claussen," but Tennessee is a good program, right?  Unfortunately, a 51-7 loss to Georgia says absolutely not.  Is there anything redeeming that can be said here?  "We derailed Philip Rivers's Heisman candidacy" does not match up with "51-7"

2003:  It's okay guys, that A.J. Suggs guy is gone.  Or at least buried behind this hotshot dual-threat QB we're starting as a freshman.  Dual threat, like Joe, and a freshman, like David Greene!  Sure, he was only a 3 star recruit, but he's got the moves! He'll make up for 

those 11 players who were ruled academically ineligible.  Just like Georgia!  Only better, because our academics are much harder.  But Reggie Ball...what a player!   And three games later, a win over Auburn proves it!  The only team that can beat Georgia Tech is Georgia Tech...And Duke, who had not won an ACC game in half a decade, can win 41-17.  And Georgia, again, 34-17.  But we beat Tulsa in the Humanitarian Bowl!

2004:  College Basketball semifinalists!  Preseason tournament champions!  And Georgia didn't even make the NIT!  Sure, second place is the first loser.  Yes, Georgia still won the heads-up competition.  But our title run, though unsuccesful, will bring character and prestige to our program!  And ESPN will pay attention to us!  After all, we beat Clemson in football with this stud of a receiver named Calvin.  The only reason Reggie Ball couldn't flourish last year was his lack of a go-to-receiver.  It doesn't matter that North Carolina whipped us.  Or that Georgia beat us.  Again. Or that Reggie Ball can't count and may have cost us the game. We regained our respectability by whipping up Syracuse.  At least, that's what I tell myself as I cry myself to sleep.

2005:  It's okay guys, junior year is when most quarterbacks flourish.  It's time for Reggie Ball to break out!  That early season win over Auburn proves it.  The 51-7 loss to Virginia Tech was just a fluke.  And that 14-7 loss to Georgia was crap, they were cheating and actually covering Calvin Johnson.  You can't expect Reggie to win football games by himself, can you?  Absolutely not.  And don't mind that loss to Utah in the Emerald Bowl, because their coach is going to drive you apeshit for years to come.

2006:  I hate you, Reggie Ball.  You're the only reason that we're not a national contender, even though we've never been one.  You're the only reason that Calvin Johnson won't win the Heisman, even though he's a Junior Wide Receiver and that never happens.  And you're the only reason we lost to Georgia.  Actually, we shouldn't have lost to Georgia, because that fumble was too controversial.  Much more controversial than our last three wins over Georgia.  Besides, we looked better against West Virginia than you did.

2007:  This year didn't happen.  We were not mediocre, Georgia was not awesome, Matthew Stafford did not juke our entire defense out of their shoes, we did not lose to Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl.  Jon Tenuta did not leave.  The football season was cancelled due to apathy, and the result was that Chan Gailey respectfully left.  After all, it's his fault that we're not a National Contender.

2008:Well, everything from last year is gone.  We have a new coach with a new fancy offense, our star running back is being replaced, and Georgia is the preseason number one.  Obviously, success this year will be judged on who is closer to their preseason goal.  So if we finish above .500 and Georgia doesn't win the championship, then we're going to have a better season.  Doesn't matter if Georgia wins the head to head matchup.  They always do.

So Dawg fans, I beseech you:  Feel pity on the nerds.  Not only can they not win, but their legend Joe Hamilton never even got a shot in the bigs.  Even Reggie Ball made practice squad.  When they hiss and complain and laugh, just remind yourself:  You'll get to beat them again next year.  And if they actually do get better?  Then beating them will be that much more fun.