ATHENS — The “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” rivalry that is the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game has several facets, most obviously the Yellow Jackets’ vaunted triple option offense.
The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (10-1) have a pretty special offense, too, and Georgia Tech (7-4) can’t afford to fall behind in the game at noon Saturday in Sanford Stadium (TV: SEC Network; Radio: WSB 95.5 FM, 750 AM).
Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has delivered on the play calls to the tune of an eye-popping 50.4-percent conversion rate on third downs — even with the Bulldogs’ backs struggling in short yardage.
Here’s a look at how the rivals compare statistically:
TOTAL OFFENSE
1. Oklahoma, 576.1 yards per game
13. Georgia, 483.9
41. Georgia Tech, 437.5
SCORING OFFENSE
1. Oklahoma, 49.5
15. Georgia, 39.6
20. Georgia Tech, 36.9
RUSHING OFFENSE
1. Georgia Tech, 353.7
10. Georgia, 257.5
PASSING OFFENSE
1. Washington State, 400.5 yards per game
71. Georgia, 226.4
126. Georgia Tech, 83.7
THIRD DOWN CONVERSION%
1. Army, .571
5. Georgia, .504
15. Georgia Tech, .474
TOTAL DEFENSE
1. Michigan, 234.8 yards per game
13. Georgia, 311.2
42. Georgia Tech, 360.5
SCORING DEFENSE
1. Clemson, 12.1 points per game
12. Georgia, 16.8
70. Georgia Tech, 27.5
RUSHING DEFENSE
1. Michigan State, 78.9 yards per game
27. Georgia, 128.5
40. Georgia Tech, 137.5
PASSING DEFENSE
1. Michigan, 123.2 yards per game
19. Georgia, 182.7
58. Georgia Tech, 223.0
THIRD DOWN CONVERSION% DEFENSE
1. UAB, .250
18. Georgia, .324
T-127. Georgia Tech, .500
NET PUNTING
1. Cincinnati, 44.08 yards net per punt
4. Georgia Tech, 42.70
50. Georgia, 38.10
KICKOFF RETURN
1. Utah State, 29.96 yards per return
15. Georgia, 24.71
44. Georgia Tech, 21.55
PUNT RETURN
1. Western Michigan, 21.44 yards per return
8. Georgia, 17.00
85. Georgia Tech, 7.00
KICK RETURN DEFENSE
1. Eastern Michigan, 14.83 yards per return
112. Georgia 23.67
128. Georgia Tech, 26.49
PUNT RETURN DEFENSE
1. Alabama, (-) 2.50 per return
13. Georgia Tech defense, 3.67
T-49. Georgia, 7.00
QUARTERBACK SACKS
1. Northern Illinois, 3.83 per game
T-105. Georgia, 1,55 per game
T-112. Georgia Tech 1.45 per game
QB SACKS ALLOWED
1. Army, 0.18 per game
11. Georgia Tech, 1.09 per game
T-28. Georgia, 1.45 per game
TACKLES-FOR-LOSS
1. Miami, Fla., 10.2 per game
124. Georgia Tech, 4.1
125. Georgia 3.9
TACKLES-FOR-LOSS ALLOWED
1. Army 3.00 per game
T-12. Georgia, 4.36 per game
T-24. Georgia Tech, 5.00 per game
TURNOVER MARGIN
1. Georgia Southern, Plus 1.91 per game
T-14. Georgia Tech, 0.73 per game
T-37. Georgia, 0.36
TIME OF POSSESSION
1. Army, 39 per game
5. Georgia Tech, 34:12
30. Georgia, 31:48
DawgNation Georgia football stories
Georgia tailback asks out former Miss Florida, SEC Network star, Twitter takes over
Opposing view: Georgia Tech fans want to see UGA season ruined
Another former 5-star freshman emerging for Dawgs on O-Line
Tech, Georgia agree that hedge destruction should cease
Kirby Smart downplays offensive pressure, but Jake Fromm knows
Nick Chubb and Sony Michel predict Georgia will beat Alabama
Tyler Simmons latest UGA receiver to emerge from deep room
Georgia football players react to Justin Fields breakout performance
Bulldogs bring No. 5 AP ranking into rivalry game with Georgia Tech
Former SEC national title coach explains why option so devastating