Playoff Spot Set: Georgia Beats Georgia Tech 44-42 in 8 OTs

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Running back Nate Frazier and head coach Kirby Smart led the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to defeat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) 44-42 in 8 overtimes on Nov. 29 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. Frazier ran in from 3 yards out after Georgia Tech failed to convert on a 2-point conversion. With the win, Georgia secured a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs will either take on the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (10-1, 6-1 SEC) or No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies (8-3, 5-2 SEC) in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

How crazy was this game? Georgia and Georgia Tech played the longest game in SEC history. But this did not set a record for the longest one in FBS history. Illinois and Penn State, back in 2021, played 9 overtimes before Illinois won 20-18, ESPN reported.

Game Summary

This one was all Yellow Jackets as they entered halftime with a 17-0 lead on the road. It looked like Georgia Tech was going to cruise to a victory in this one.

But the Bulldogs said "Not so fast" and scored a touchdown in the beginning stages of the third quarter. Quarterback Carson Beck found tight end Oscar Delp from 2 yards out, making it 17-6 Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs failed on a 2-point conversion.

Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr hit a field goal as the fourth quarter opened, giving the Yellow Jackets a 20-6 lead. The Bulldogs had the answer as Frazier ran it in from 1 yard out, cutting into Georgia Tech's lead at 20-13.

But the Yellow Jackets had an answer for that as quarterback Haynes King, who had a whale of a game, ran the ball in from 11 yards out. King, who ran for 3 touchdowns and passed for 2 more, put Georgia Tech up 27-13. But, again, the Bulldogs rallied. Beck, who threw 5 TD passes (2 in overtime), connected with wide receiver Dominic Lovett on a 17-yard TD pass. Georgia Tech now was up 27-20, yet Georgia's defense came through in the clutch.

Bulldogs defensive back Dan Jackson leveled King on a third-and-1 play, forcing a fumble that Georgia recovered. Beck hit Lovett on a 5-yard TD pass to tie the game at 27-27. Neither team could score again in regulation, setting up a whole lot of overtimes.

Both teams scored TDs in the first and second overtimes, putting Georgia and Georgia Tech tied at 40-40 entering a third OT. After both teams converted 2-point conversions in OT No. 5, it was 42-42. Things stayed that way until OT No. 8, when Georgia Tech failed to convert. That opened the door for Frazier to get the job done.

Turning Point: Georgia

The true turning point happened when Jackson's hit forced the ball out of King's hands. The Bulldogs took the ball back at the 2-minute timeout. Five plays later, Georgia scored the game-tying TD.

What It Means for Each Team

As for the Bulldogs, they could not afford to drop this game. Winning it gave Georgia an automatic CFP berth regardless of what happens in the SEC title game. They got it done and do not have to panic, win or lose, against either Texas or Texas A&M on Dec. 7 at the SEC Championship Game.

As for the Yellow Jackets, this one is hard to swallow. They had a 17-0 lead and felt on top of the world. They finish their season 7-5 and will await their bowl game after the conference championship games finish next week. What a season for head coach Brent Key and staff. They have nothing to hang their heads over.