By Don Stone - Tech Express

     There were three games this weekend with enormous repercussions for local football fans. Tech and the Falcons missed their opportunities. UGA grabbed hold of it in impressive style.
     The last game took place Sunday. Always a great matchup when the Saints come to town. And the game did not disappoint. Down by 10 points with five minutes on the clock, the Falcons stormed back and tied it as regulation time ran out only to lose by a field goal in overtime.
      The first game took place at Bobby Dodd Stadium Thursday night. Georgia Tech, with a win, would need only to beat Duke on the road this Saturday to return to the ACC Championship Game as Coastal Division Champs.
     But, 9-1 Virginia Tech had the same idea. A 37-26 win over the Yellow Jackets put them in charge of their season needing only to take care of 6-4 North Carolina at home this weekend, then travel a few miles down the road to finish the regular season against rival Virginia. The 7-3 Cavaliers know that a win against the Hokies and they're on the way to Charlotte themselves.
      For Georgia Tech, nothing is left in their 7-3 season except to try to beat a steadily improving Georgia team...a much more difficult task than it would have been early in the season. The Bulldogs have a ton of talented freshman who have been contributing more and more each week.
      They had their own important game Saturday in Athens against reigning national champion Auburn. But, this Tiger team is a shadow of their successful 2010 version, mainly due to stars Cam Newton now trying to resurrect the struggling Carolina Panthers and DB Nick Fairley, teammates with local favorites Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford in Detroit.
      Most thought this game would be close, with either team having a shot. Auburn was coming off a bye week but apparently needed more than that to be competitive. After both teams scored on their opening drives, it looked like it would be a typical game in the south's oldest rivalry. But, the Tigers would score no more after that and barely get into enemy territory. At the same time, Georgia dominated on the ground amassing 304 total rushing yards of 56 carries. Carlton Thomas was virtually unstoppable.
      The junior put up 127 rushing yards on 15 carries, reminiscent of his previous best of 71 yards on 15 carries against Coastal Carolina in September. Freshman Isaiah Crowell tacked on 132 yards of his own. Both were coming off one game suspensions.
      But, Auburn wasn't just getting beaten to a pulp on the ground. Aaron Murray had four touchdown passes to four different receivers for a total of 224 yards in the air.
      The 45-7 shellacking put Georgia in a position that many thought would never be as they were calling for Mark Richt's head after an 0-2 start. But, Richt stuck it out and now has his first ever eight game winning streak, needing only to beat Kentucky Saturday at home to represent the Eastern Division in the SEC Championship game at the Dome.
      For the Bulldogs, they won't even have to leave the state, playing at home Saturday...then the season closer Thanksgiving weekend against Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium followed by the title game at the Georgia Dome.
      Quite a turnaround. And, now, on a roll, some are actually wondering what many thought was a ridiculous premise a few weeks ago. Can Georgia actually compete with and maybe even knock off the #1 ranked LSU Tigers at the Dome? More and more are liking their prospects.
       So, the Bulldogs are clearly in the driver's seat. Tech in the back seat and the Falcons, still hopeful with seven games left, but with a lot more to worry about just to get in the playoffs as a wild card.
       Behind the wheel is a much better spot to be.