The Georgia vs. Georgia Tech rivalry, known as Clean, Old‑Fashioned Hate, dates back to 1893, making it one of the oldest and bitterest rivalries in college football. 

Historically, both programs have brought pride, legacy, and state-wide bragging rights to every meeting. Georgia currently leads the all-time series record with 72 wins vs. 41 losses and 5 ties. 

This year’s matchup is even more anticipated — the first time since 2014 where both teams enter with at least nine wins apiece, upping the stakes considerably. 

WHAT WE KNOW THIS MORNING

• The NCAA has officially announced a new kickoff time for the Georgia–Georgia Tech game: 3:30 PM ET at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, live on ABC. 

  

• The decision is part of recent schedule adjustments to accommodate Thanksgiving weekend and nationwide Black Friday travel and broadcast demands.

• Fans are being urged to double‑check ticket times, travel bookings, and tailgate plans immediately — many may need to rebook flights or rearrange holiday plans.

 FAN & SCENE REACTION — WORRY, ANGER, EXCITEMENT

The reaction has been instant and intense. On fan forums and social media, thousands of Georgia and Tech supporters are exchanging heated messages:

• Some accuse the NCAA of ‘manufacturing chaos’ to boost TV ratings or manipulate crowd energy.

• Others feel betrayed — mid‑week travel arrangements, ticket purchases, hotel bookings, and family plans meant to enjoy the rivalry now hang by a thread.

• A smaller group, however, has embraced the chaos — believing the shift may inject extra fire, unpredictability, and raw emotion into a rivalry already known for drama and heartbreak.

Inside both teams, sources say coaches and staff are scrambling to adapt. Pre‑game meal plans, warm‑up schedules, light timing — all must be rewritten to match the new kickoff. Several players reportedly reacted with disbelief — some quietly relieved, others visibly frustrated.

 WHY THIS CHANGE COULD ALTER THE GAME DYNAMICS

The timing change doesn’t just affect fans — it could tilt the competitive balance:

• The 3:30 PM ET kickoff means warmer afternoon temperatures rather than late‑afternoon chill — favoring teams that thrive in open-air conditions.

• Disrupted routines: Teams expecting dusk or evening atmosphere may find themselves playing under harsher light and heat, which can shift momentum and stamina.

• Emotional and psychological weight: With travel chaos, holiday distractions, and mounting fan pressure, the mental game becomes as unpredictable as the plays on the field.

For a rivalry already as volatile as Georgia vs. Georgia Tech — where the last edition ended in an 8‑overtime thriller and a 44–42 final score — these small factors could explode into major consequences. 

 WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT & WHY EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH

• If Georgia capitalizes — they push their win‑streak to eight straight against Tech, tying the Yellow Jackets’ longest streak in series history. 

• If Tech pulls off an upset — it won’t just be a win. It will be a statement that even chaos, confusion, and engineered disruption can’t break their will.

• For fans: This game may no longer be just a rivalry. It might define how the rest of the season — and maybe future decades — view Georgia football identity.

• And for the NCAA? If this gamble pays off, they might have just rewritten the blueprint for scheduling rivalry games forever.