Georgia in-state rivalry game to be played on Black Friday

Georgia fans might want to change their Thanksgiving weekend plans around some now. Instead of shopping on Black Friday (November 29th), the Bulldogs will be taking the field at Sanford Stadium against in-state rival Georgia Tech. DawgsHQ has confirmed the information first reported by Ross Dellenger and Yahoo Sports.

Kickoff time for Clean Old-Fashioned Hate is expected to be in primetime – likely 7:30 p.m. ET – on ABC.

This year’s meeting between Georgia and Georgia Tech marks the 118th matchup of the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets. Georgia owns a 71-41-5 all-time advantage and has won six in a row dating back to 2017. Last time Tech won was Kirby Smart’s first season in Athens. Most recently, Smart and his squad took down Brent Key’s team 31-23 in a primetime game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, the first time since 2013 it was played outside of the noon ET window and first time since 2010 it was played at night.

Georgia and Georgia Tech last played a non-Saturday game against each other in 1995 when the two met on Thanksgiving Day. UGA last played a regular season game on a non-Saturday against South Carolina on a Sunday due to Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Matchups between Georgia and Georgia Tech also took place on a non-Saturday in 1994 (Black Friday) and 1993 (Thanksgiving). Before that you have to go back to Labor Day 1985 against Alabama to find Georgia’s last non-Saturday game. Georgia was supposed to play on Labor Day against Virginia in the 2020 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic, canceled due to COVID-19.

It’s the latest in a slowly growing list of games we have all details figured out for the 2024 season. Georgia kicks off its 2024 campaign against Clemson in Atlanta at 12:00 p.m. ET. Two weeks later, the Bulldogs head to Kentucky for a night kickoff at Kroger Field. They’ll also play under the lights at Alabama (September 28th) before continuing in the traditional 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff window in Jacksonville against Florida. All four games will air on ABC.

FULL 2024 GEORGIA SCHEDULE

August 31 – Clemson (Atlanta) – 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC)
September 7 – Tennessee Tech (Athens)
September 14 – Kentucky (Lexington) – 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
September 28 – Alabama (Tuscaloosa) – 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
October 5 – Auburn (Athens)
October 12 – Mississippi State (Athens)
October 19 – Texas (Austin)
November 2 – Florida (Jacksonville) – 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
November 9 – Ole Miss (Oxford)
November 16 – Tennessee (Athens)
November 23 – UMass (Athens)
November 29 – Georgia Tech (Athens) – 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Georgia enters the 2024 season as the favorite according to oddsmakers in Las Vegas to bring home a third title in four seasons. Quarterback Carson Beck is a big part of the reason why, being listed by the same oddsmakers as the top candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He’ll have weapons to work with – both new and old – in his second year as the starter including Dominic Lovett, Rara Thomas, Dillon Bell, Oscar Delp, Colbie Young, Benjamin Yurosek, Trevor Etienne and others. Put all that behind an offensive line that returns four players with starting experience, and it’s easy to see why hopes are high for the Georgia offense.

Of course though, as long as Kirby Smart is the head coach, the Bulldog defense is going to be strong, and that remains the case in 2024. Safety Malaki Starks was an All-American last season while EDGE Mykel Williams and inside linebacker Smael Mondon are certainly capable of playing at the kind of elite level. CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson played valuable snaps as true freshmen and should take steps forward – as should sack leader Jalon Walker, now a junior – while the secondary must replace three NFL Draft picks including one each at cornerback, safety and STAR.