The Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will renew one of college football’s fiercest rivalries on Friday, November 28, 2025, in a first time ever location at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Both teams have combined for 19 total wins this season, making the latest chapter of “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” a high-stakes showdown with statewide pride and postseason implications at stake.

   Rivalry Steeped in History – It started in 1893 and continued through their last meeting in 2024 in one of the longest games in college football history…an eight-overtime game in the classic in Athens. The Yellow Jackets led 17-0 at halftime, but the Bulldogs pulled off another patented comeback to tie the game 27-27 with one minute remaining to force OT. In the 8th OT, UGA freshman Nate Frazier was across the goal line to win the exhausting marathon 44-42.

  The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets have squared off over 115 times, creating decades of dramatic moments like that, upsets, and bragging rights. Georgia leads the all-time series 72-39-5 and has won seven straight. The rivalry is marked by deep emotion, as Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key has said, “There’s nothing I hate more in the world,” referring to Georgia. Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart, meanwhile, described it as “a chance at a state championship… a lot of pride, a lot of history in the game. But the game’s played between the lines, between the players”.​

   Star Quarterbacks Set for Duel – UGA’s Gunner Stockton has hit his stride in the season’s second half, throwing for 2,465 yards and 19 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions while leading the Dawgs to 10 wins. He’ll command an offense averaging 209 rushing yards per game and facing a Yellow Jackets defense looking for answers. On the other side, Haynes King is the engine behind Georgia Tech’s explosive attack, ranking among the ACC’s best while passing for over 3,000 yards and using his mobility to keep defenses off balance.​

  Of concern for Tech fans is the performance of its defense, which has given up a total of 126 yards combined in the last three games including an insurmountable 28-0 deficit last week in the home loss to Pitt, which knocked them out of an appearance in the ACC Championship Game.

  Georgia can still make it to the SEC Championship Game regardless of the outcome of this matchup. Their fate rests in the outcomes of the Alabama-Auburn and Texas A&M-Texas games the following day. The likely participants will be the Crimson Tide and Aggies.

  Georgia has appeared in the championship game seven of the last eight seasons. But, not participating would give them a bye week to rest and prepare for the college football playoffs.

   Coaches’ Perspective – Kirby Smart praised Georgia Tech’s creative offense led by King, stating, “They stretch you horizontally, they stretch you vertically, they stretch you with tempo, they stretch you with numbers counts because of their quarterback,” while emphasizing the need for discipline and physicality. Brent Key, reflecting the rivalry’s urgency, urges his team to play “with heart and intensity,” knowing that “it means everything to our program and our fans to beat Georgia. The game speaks for itself”.​

  Although the Jackets won’t be in the ACC Championship Game, a win would definitely increase their chances for a better bowl appearance and provide a launching point for next season.

   Friday’s Stakes – With both teams riding strong records, the Bulldogs remain 14 point favorites due to their defense and ground game, while Tech looks for a breakthrough after last year’s near-upset. The 2025 edition promises another fiery clash, with quarterback stars, coaching intensity, and a century-old rivalry on full display at Atlanta’s biggest stage.

  It’s a 3:30 p.m. Friday kickoff on ABC.