This article was originally published with Dawgs247 on November 25, 2015 and can be found here. 

ATHENS — Hate can be such a strong word, but when it comes to Georgia and Georgia Tech, it’s the name of the game.

The Bulldogs and the Yellow Jackets face off in the 110th edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate on Saturday. The Bulldogs lead the series 64-40-5 but are coming off a 30-24 overtime loss last year.

The beauty of this rivalry has been its recent competitiveness. Although Georgia has won 13 of the last 15 meetings, the games continue to be very close. Eight of the last 11 matchups in the series have been decided by one score, a fact that Georgia head coach Mark Richt attributes to a number of influences.

“I think there’s great players,” Richt said. “There’s great fan bases on both sides with tremendous support. I think both coaching staffs do a good job and understand how important the game is. It’s just one of those games where you truly can throw out the records and know it’s going to be a brawl.”

Even the so-called outsiders for the Bulldogs understand the importance of the game. Sophomore Sony Michel grew up in Florida but learned through last season’s loss what the rivalry with the Yellow Jackets is really like. Transfers Jake Ganus andGreyson Lambert have gathered stories from their teammates to understand what’s at stake on Saturday.

For Lambert, the matchup is comparable to his former stop at Virginia. The Cavaliers end their regular seasons against the Virginia Tech Hokies with the winner taking home the Commonwealth Cup. Virginia was unable to win the game during Lambert’s time there and has not defeated Virginia Tech since 2003.

The past experience let him understand the importance of beating Georgia Tech.

“It’s a big rivalry,” Lambert said. “There’s a lot on the line every year for bragging rights, for the trophies, for everything. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.”

Georgia Tech enters this year’s matchup with a 3-8 record in 2015, but that may be more harmful than good for the Bulldogs. The Yellow Jackets have suffered five losses by a touchdown or less this year. Despite their strong showings against highly-touted teams such as No. 6 Notre Dame, Georgia Tech has seen its consecutive bowl streak die at 18. Not only has Georgia Tech been more competitive than their record would imply, but they also have nothing more to play for than to put a damper on the Bulldogs’ day.

Michel said the team is fully aware of the Yellow Jackets’ nothing-to-lose status.

“They’re going to play us harder than they played anybody this season,” Michel said. “That’s why we can’t be going into this game looking at their record. We’ve got to expect their best. Every meeting that we’ve had, that’s what we’ve talked about.”

Georgia’s senior class isn’t downplaying the game in Atlanta. Last year’s defeat still stings; another one would give Georgia Tech consecutive wins in the series for the first time in 2000. It’s a dubious mark that would serve as the low point in a season that has had its share of mishaps.

Senior linebacker Jordan Jenkins wants to go out on the right note no matter who the opponent is. Notching another victory over the Yellow Jackets just happens to be an added bonus.

“It’s definitely big for me because it’s the last game of the regular season,” Jenkins said. “You always want to go out with a win in your last regular-season game. For me, I always try to finish positive against teams. Right now, I’m 2-1 against Tech, and I definitely want to make that 3-1.”