Sunday, November 30, 2008

Clean Old Fashioned Hate 2008: Jackets Win!

UPDATE: When I put up the post, the link to the ACC Football Report from bullet two got deleted. I put it back in.

Roddy Jones, ballin' outta control
(Photo from the AJC, Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com)


Time to talk about that (totally awesome) game. I've had rambly thoughts for this post since last night, so hopefully doing a bullet list will mitigate the ineloquence. For the "pure news" aspects and coverage of the game, I of course direct you to the AJC's Georgia Tech page. I also always dig The Macon Telegraph's coverage.

  • First off, Tech defended the Drought. As you know, that was the biggest storyline of the game to me, and we still own the series record for longest streak. Sorry, pups, no "EIAR,B!"
  • Another big storyline from the game: We just posted the ACC's biggest OOC win of 2008, pending any huge bowl game upsets. Last year, as we all know, the ACC got a lot of flack for its crappy non-conference record, and there was all this hoo-hah being thrown around about "The Big East is better"; "The Mountain West should get the ACC's BCS bid"; "I'm a jagoff and think one year trounces decades of history and don't realize that you need a much longer skid than that to actually mean anything"; etc. This year, the ACC is 37-11 (0.771) in non-conference games, 15-8 (0.652) against BCS teams, and 6-4 against SEC squads. The ACC Football Report blog did a rundown of ACC OOC games couple weeks ago, which showed our record stacked up well nationally, and it's only gotten better in the weeks since.
  • Dwyer's TD run to start the 2nd half is a nominee for ESPN's Pontiac Game-Changing Performance. Go vote! As Rece Davis says in their video, "This one probably defines a game-changing moment... the entire momentum of the game shifted in Georgia Tech's favor."
  • Yahoo/Rivals's Dr. Saturday--arguably the best college football blogger around--asks, "Is there a way to send Georgia Tech to the ACC Championship game by acclamation?" It's unfortunate (not just for us as Tech fan's but for the league's image) that the Coastal Division's only nine-win team will not be in Tampa to represent. Thankfully, BC also has nine wins, so it's possible that the Atlantic Division's best team will win the ACC. I still consider Georgia Tech the best Coastal Division--and ACC overall--team; we were the only division team to go undefeated vs. the Atlantic, but lost too many Coastal games. The good news, of course, is the Jackets should only get better in future years under Paul Johnson.
  • That leads me well to my next point: Paul Johnson is the right guy at the right place at the right time. This season (and the way our fans have embraced the new coach) reminds me a bit of Mark Richt's first year at Georgia... except that they didn't really have the same first-season turn around that Tech did. (Georgia went 8-4 both in 2000 under Donnan and 2001 under Richt.) Of course, in Richt's second year, the Dawgs went 13-1 and won the SEC. Can Tech do something similar next year under CPJ? I see no reason why not, since we were a handful of plays away from 11-1 this year. (The UNC game, obviously, is the one that we really, really lost.)
  • On to specifics about Clean Old Fashioned Hate 2008. In the sense of civility, I'll start with nice things to say about Sanford Stadium. I like that they replay nearly every play on the scoreboard promptly, regardless of whether it's a questionable call. It doesn't always seem like that at Bobby Dodd. Also, the Munson tribute after the second quarter was nice. Many of you hate him, I'm sure, but I've always loved his calls when Georgia's losing as much as Dawg fans love him when they're winning... Scope this one from 2000; you'll love it I guarantee.
  • How about that Roddy Jones? I told a Georgia friend before the game, I thought the story of the game for Tech would ride on Dwyer's shoulders. Dwyer was a huge part of what the Jackets did, but I did not expect Roddy's 214 yards or 16.5 (!!!!!) yards per carry average. Big ups to him and the whole offense, not only for all the huge runs and scores, but for protecting the ball. One turnover in the game, a didn't-really-matter Hail Mary interception to end the first half. Wow.
  • Speaking of points scored, we can all count ourselves lucky that the offense blew up like it did. You're not going to win many ballgames where you allow 42 points. Of course it's a concern that the defense allowed so many points, but I discredit them much less than I give it up to Georgia's offense. Knowshon, Stafford, and MoMass played the kind of lights-out football that you almost cannot defend. Especially with some of the Stafford-to-Massoquoi passes, the level of precision the Dawgs showed on offense was remarkable.
  • I've gotta admit, I think it's too bad that so many Tech players were snagging bits of the hedges. One of our commenters (Anon @ 8:28 AM) expressed that regret, saying "Magnanimity always - in defeat AND victory." I entirely agree, but I also realize this is a bunch of college kids, many of them 18 and 19 years old. Oh well.
  • Last but not least, I'd like to remind you that the option will never work in major college football, especially against speedy SEC defenses.
Please feel free to post all your post-game thoughts below. I assure you, we'll keep talking about this. My next post will probably be about where I see us bowling.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Jackets 45 - Dawgs 42

(Photo from the AJC, Brant Sanderlin / bsanderlin@ajc.com)


Obviously a huge day, and a great win. I was at the game, and it was quite the spectacle in person. I'm exhausted from the long day in Athens, but I'll post my thoughts tomorrow.

Enjoy it, Tech fans... It lasts a year, much to the chagrin of your Bulldog friends and coworkers.

Go Jackets!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Nicki Meyer - video interview

Our newest volleyball recruit, Nicki Meyer, who also happens to be Urban Meyer's daughter:

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

GT Photos from Life Magazine



Hey everyone; this is off-topic for Hate Week, but if I don't post it now I'll forget to.

Life Magazine has posted their whole photo archives (published and unpublished) online, hosted by Google. There's some GT gems in there, if you just search for Georgia Tech. The vast majority of photos are from Tech's 28-7 win at Duke in 1952, but there's a handful from other games. I encourage everyone to check out the Tech photos, as well as whatever else you like. Life's archives are quite impressive.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Clean Old Fashioned Hate - Why This Year Matters

Does that headline seem odd? "It matters every year!" you might say, and you would be right. But this year matters more than any other in Tech history. This year, we defend the Drought.

Here's a little history, for the kids. For eight glorious years from 1949 to 1956, Tech beat Georgia in football. The margins ranged from one point (1949) to 42 points (1951), but every year the Yellow Jackets came out on top. Georgia fans refer to it as "the Drought." When the Drought ended, it was a huge deal for Dawg fans. Theron Sapp--a player with an otherwise unremarkable career--ended Tech's eight-game streak by scoring the only touchdown in 1957's Tech-Georgia game. Sapp became Georgia's only non-Heisman winner to have his jersey retired, just for ending the Drought. Alumnus Harold Walker wrote an epic poem in praise of Sapp.

Only once before has Georgia gotten to seven in a row vs. Tech, winning from 1991-1997. Ten years and one day after the 1998 game, which Tech won 21-19 in Athens, the Jackets have a chance to once again stop the Dawgs at seven and preserve history.

Georgia owns the series record (59-38-5) and total points (1694-1439), but we own the longest streak. Let's defend the Drought. Like no other year, this year matters.

Go Jackets!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Duke-VT Moneyline

According to Vegasinsider.com, you would win $450 if you put $100 down on Duke to win. At the moment, the odds of GT going to Tampa is currently 9-2. Unbelievable.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Video from the Miami Win

Hate Week begins early this year, but I'm reserving today for enjoying the Miami win. Tomorrow we'll move on to hating on UGA.

Here's a slick video from the GTAA of highlights from last night's win over "Da U."

ACC Coastal Championship Odds Calculator

My friend Peter threw together this Excel sheet which has all the remaining coastal division scenarios, and you can calculate odds of each team winning. It uses home team victory odds (e.g. UVA 60% chance over Clemson) to calculate the chances, and you can feel free to change each of those numbers to what you think is realistic. (Note: When emailing this out, Peter said "I realize I am a ridiculous toolbag," so please refrain from comments about whoever put it together being a toolbag.)

My call on the odds put Tech with about a 14% chance at the Coastal Title... sounds about right to me.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Game Day

AJC's Larry Hartstein says Josh Nesbitt will start:
http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/20/nesbitt_starts_jackets.html

It'll be a cold game night in Atlanta, and the 'Canes aren't to thrilled about it as the Miami Herald explains:
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/um/story/779473.html

The Miami Herald also has their injury report:
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/um/story/778043.html

The Sun Sentinel says that the players, but wah-wah the writers won't like it:
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_college_hurricanes/2008/11/cold-weather-wi.html

St. Petersburg Times game preview:
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article909861.ece

Tony Barnhart says the key to the game is the Miami QBs:
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfb/entries/2008/11/20/can_georgia_tec.html

Florida Today wonders if we can make it 4 in a row:
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20081119/SPORTS/811190327/1006/news01

AJC's Tim Tucker tells how UGA starts to prepare for the triple option:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/uga/stories/2008/11/19/georgia_bulldogs_football.html

Macon.com's game preview, courtesy of Coley Harvey:
http://www.macon.com/169/story/531060.html

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

We're in the Sun-Sentinel !!

It's Scott. I'm back for a quick hit - I was invited for a little Georgia Tech / Miami fan discussion by the Sun Sentinel's 'Cane blogger Shandel Richardson. I was asked to outline why Georgia Tech would win Thursday night. Unfortunately I didn't have time for a long, well thought out thesis, but I did put some thoughts together during a break in the conference I'm at in Boston.

I never saw the Miami fan's thoughts before I sent mine. Here's the link to the post - link here.

GT-Miami Links

A little more than 24 hours before Thursday's big matchup against the 'Canes.





Georgia Tech's depth chart:


http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/depth-chart





Miami's depth chart:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/mifl/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/mifl-footbl-08-gamenotes-gt


Good article from Macon.com's Coley Harvey about if there are increased chances of injuries in Paul Johnson's offense, including quotes from the Navy QB with 75 letters in his last name:


http://www.macon.com/169/story/525927.html

I'll post all the links I can find tonight.


Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Where are we now? - ACC Coastal Standings & Bowl Chances

The ACC Coastal Division is a total cluster right now, with only Duke mathematically out of the race to Tampa. Heather Dinich has a great post describing everyone's possible road to the ACC Championship Game; here I'll summarize GT's could-be road. (Dinich writes ESPN's new-ish ACC blog, which I highly recommend. The WWL (World Wide Leader) is finally "getting" new media, slowly but surely.)

Georgia Tech (4-3 ACC) can win the Division only one way: UNC (3-3), VPI (3-3), and Virginia (3-3) all lose one more, and Tech beats Miami Thursday night. Because GT has lost to all three, a tied conference record would not cut it.

Here's my guess at the chances of each of those schools losing another conf. game, based on the remaing schedule:

UNC
Remaing Games: vs. NCSU, @ Duke
Chances of a loss: 25%
This is a longshot. Three weeks ago, I would have said Duke had a shot at beating Carolina, but not NC State. Now, I'd say they both have a realistic--albeit unlikely--chance.

The Wolfpack started the season pretty weak, with a win over East Carolina in OT the only decent victory before November. Now, the 'Pack is on a hot streak with wins at Duke and over Wake at home. That momentum, combined with NC State's bitter hatred of haughty Carolina, could push the 'Pack over the Heels.

Duke is coming off an embarassing loss at Clemson (31-7) and will probably see more of the same when they visit Blacksburg this weekend. They hate UNC probably as much as NC State does, and because this is a home game for the Blue Devils (and the only game likely to actually fill Wallace Wade Stadium with Duke fans), this may actually be a tough game for the Tar Heels.

VPI
Remaining Games: vs. Duke, vs. UVa
Chances of a loss: 15%
This is the least likely team to lose another game. Despite Duke's obvious improvement under Coach Cut, there is very little chance they can go into Lane Stadium and beat a 6-4 Hokie squad... although VPI did lose to ECU. (Note: I hate VPI.)

Virginia Tech's last game is against Virginia, same as every year. The Cavs are the most bipolar team in the ACC this year, with inexplicable bad losses at UConn and Duke paired with big wins over GT and rival Maryland. Virginia's on a two-game losing skid, and unless they get the home win over Clemson this weekend for a momentum boost, I doubt they pull it over the Gobblers.

UVa
Remaining Games: vs. Clemson, @ VPI
Chances of a loss: 85%
Clemson has a decent chance of beating the Cavaliers, more because of Virginia's inconsistency than because of their own decent play. The Tigers have been nearly as up-and-down as the Cavs, but there's not doubt they have talent on the roster.

The game I truly anticipate Virginia losing is down I-81 in Blacksburg. Lane Stadium really is a tough place for opposing teams, and the Hokies have the good fortune of ending the season at home.


Bottom Line
Georgia Tech's chances of making it to the ACC Championship Game are really slim. The most realistic scenario that puts us there Virginia beating VPI and Clemson beating Virginia. And even then, we depend on the mediocre Devils or Wolfpack beating UNC.

I encourage everyone to be realistic, and admit that we are not going to the ACCCG. Pre-season, knowing we'd be in the mix at all would have sounded spectacular if not absurd (especially if you watched the spring game).

Dinich has a post on ACC bowl predictions, and calls GT possible for the Meineke, Emerald, and Music City Bowls. (Reminder, the ACC bowl pecking order is: 1) Orange, 2) Chick-Fil-A, 3) Gator, 4) Champs Sports, 5) Music City, 6) Meineke, 7) Emerald, 8) Humanitarian, 9) Eagle Bank Bowl.)

I've been calling GT for the Music City Bowl since the UVa loss, and I'm sticking with that prediction. If we beat both Miami and Georgia, I will say the Peach Bowl or Champs Sports Bowl becomes likely.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Where do you think we'll go? Where, as a fan, would you like to see Tech?

Monday, November 17, 2008

Tech / Georgia Kickoff set for Noon

(Image Courtesy Rob Skinner)

As many of you already know/are enraged about, the kickoff for GT vs. UGA is set for noon on Nov. 29. This is relatively unsurprising, since CBS releases a tentative pre-season TV schedule every year, and they listed our game as noon back then.

Thanksgiving weekend, CBS has the rights to both Tech/Georgia and the good ol' Urrn Bowl (Iron Bowl, for the Southern-phonetically challenged). A game featuring both the #1 team in the country and one of the most vicious rivalries in college football is a pretty thrilling TV draw, so it was fully expected they'd get the later/better time slot.

So what's the good news? First off, Coach Johnson said on his radio show a couple weeks ago that he prefers earlier games. I don't know the reasons why (if he said them and I forgot, please throw it in the comments), but he even said something like "If they'd let us play at 8 AM, I'd love to do that." I trust Coach, so if he likes the noon slot, I'll try to be happy about it.

Also, since it's Thanksgiving weekend, the noon scheduling is a bit more forgiving than on your average weekend. Lots of people will have Thurs/Fri off, so taking it easy Friday and heading up really early on Saturday is a little more do-able... Or you can do like me and head to Athens Friday.

----

P.S. For anyone who's wondering "Who is Jeff?", I wrote the now-defunct GT blog "Ramblin' Racket," and volunteered to help keep GTSB going strong while Scott's on hiatus. My style's a bit different than what you're used to here, but I hope to help keep GT Sports Blog the premiere unofficial place for all your GT news and content. You'll be hearing from me a good bit in the coming weeks. Go Jackets!

Sunday, November 09, 2008

11.09.08 Links

Cancel those tickets to Miami.

GT's defense fought hard all day, but couldn't overcome some terrible offense and some embarrassing special teams as the Jackets fell 28-7 to the Tar Heels.

When Paul Johnson does his coaching evaluations after the season, one thing he will have to address is this special teams by committee coaching staff. When coaching special teams is your #2 priority like it is with all coaches involved in special teams, you get inconsistent to poor performances every week. Hire a special teams coach in '09.

Some lowlights from Furman Bisher and Jeff Schultz of the AJC:
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bisher/entries/2008/11/08/techs_worst_effort_under_paul.html

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/shared-blogs/ajc/schultz/entries/2008/11/08/

Brett Friedlander tells of the advantage the extra week was for Butch Davis and his staff:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20081108/ARTICLES/811080299/1005?Title=ACC_Insider__Heels__punch_in_the_mouth_defense_keeps_team_on_course_for_Tampa

Macon.com's game story:
http://www.macon.com/169/story/519585.html

Friday, November 07, 2008

2-Deeps for tomorrow's game

Georgia Tech:
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/depth-chart

North Carolina (see page 8):
http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/unc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release

Thursday, November 06, 2008

11-06-08 Evening Links

AJC's Larry Hartstein talks about possible bowl scenarios:
http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/06/georgia_tech_bowl_projection.html

Another article from Larry Hartstein about Jaybo Shaw and how plans to bounce back:
http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/06/georgia_tech_jaybo_shaw.html

Third article (cut down on the Red Bull, Larry) about GT's kickoff return coverage:
http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/06/georgia_tech_kickoff_return.html

Wes Durham gave some comments at the Macon Touchdown Club. Michael Lough writes for Macon.com:
http://www.macon.com/169/story/513949.htmlhttp://

To Hell With Georgia gives their analysis of the FSU game:
http://whiteandgold.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/thoughts-on-the-fsu-game/

ACC teleconferences from Macon.com's Coley Harvey
http://www.macon.com/techtalk/?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a83033061-8e5f-4406-b8c9-7104c5b74798Post%3a504e5f86-3699-47e8-9bfe-de815da340ff&sid=pluck.macon.com

Offensive development so far.....

To what degree can Paul Johnson's offense now be called proven at the BCS level?

I'm not sure, but here are GT's offensive numbers vs. the 7 BCS league teams we have played in 2008 and they're not too bad:

Rushing: 250.4 YPG vs. teams giving up 114.1 YPG to their other opponents.
Total offense: 353.7 YPG vs. teams giving up 298.7 YPG to their other opponents.

11-06-08 Links and 11-03-08 CPJ Press Conference Notes

Notes from Paul Johnson's press conference on Monday (available on iTunes):

- 16 of 22 starters this week will be freshman or sophomores, not including the kicker.
- 13 scholarship seniors, 12 scholarship juniors.
- CPJ thought it may be a blessing. Easier to change the culture of the program.
- CPJ has been able to hold out the nucleus of true freshman lineman this year. He thinks that some of those redshirts may start next year, even though the incumbent may return.
- 4 Offensive lineman and 3 defensive lineman are committed for next year's recruiting class.
- Emery Peebles and Domonique Reese are both expected back for Saturday
- CPJ thought Michael Peterson played very well
- GT played more nickel than base against Florida State. He would expect more base defense this week.

Paul Johnson press conference.
http://georgiatech.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=872462

Terence Moore writes about the change of culture on the Flats:
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/11/06/moore.html

It looks like Josh Nesbitt will play, Jahi Word-Daniels is out as Larry Hartstein writes:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/05/georgia_tech_injuries.html

Another A-Back on board for next year's class. Carver-Atlanta tailback Demond Dennis
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2008/11/05/carver_rb_demon_1.html

Butch Davis post-practice comments from Wednesday from Greg Barnes at Inside Carolina
http://clemson.scout.com/a.z?s=46&p=2&c=808692

Ken Segiura talks about how banged up GT is, plus the advantages UNC has because of their off week.
http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/05/georgia_tech_football.html

Greg Barnes at Inside Carolina gives Butch Davis teleconference
http://northcarolinastate.scout.com/a.z?s=178&p=2&c=808552

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

11-04-08 Links

Our worst fears about Andrew Gardner have come to fruition. He is out for the year. Andrew, thanks for your four years of effort for our program. Looking forward to seeing you on Sundays.

AJC link from Ken Segiura here:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/04/tech_gardner_shoulder_surgery.html

Tough spot for Paul Johnson. Do you lift a redshirt off of one of the freshman?

Larry Hartstein is wondering where the love is for Jonathan Dwyer:
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/tech/entries/2008/11/04/wheres_the_love.html

Phil Fulmer ripple effects benefit GT. Offensive lineman Antonio Foster from Valdosta changes his commitment from Tennessee to GT:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2008/11/04/valdosta_ol_ant.html

Future A-Back Orwin Smith from Alabama is on board. 13 commitments for next year's class. Keep in mind that our scholarships jump from 76 to 85.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2008/11/04/alabama_rb_orwi.html

Monday, November 03, 2008

ACC Referee Crews

I thought you might like to know which ACC Referee crews have worked GT games so far this year:

Keith Auden - Boston College
Mike Webster - Virginia, Virginia Tech
Jeff Flannagan - Duke
Jack Childress - Clemson, Florida State

Generally speaking, I think we would like to see a crew that has seen how GT's offensive line has been blocking and is familiar with cut blocking.

GT is 0-2 in games refereed by Mike Webster's crew. Coincidence??

Afternoon Links 11/3/08

For all you Doc Walker fans, Saturday's UNC-Georgia Tech will be a Raycom game at noon.
http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/03/georgia_tech_football_tv.html

Larry Hartstein of the AJC gives his two cents on the game here:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/02/georgia_tech_college_rankings.html

Macon.com's Coley Harvey tells about how proud Paul Johnson is about what this team has accomplished so far:
http://www.macon.com/169/story/512782.html

As of Monday afternoon, the casinos in Las Vegas have not set a line on the GT-UNC game.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

More Links 11/02/08

A play that we will likely forget that was a huge play. Scott Blair running down Michael Garvin at the GT33 down 7-3. Garvin was gone. It saved four points.

Georgia Tech accomplished some things yesterday against Mickey Andrew's defense that haven't been seen in a while. Miami Herald's Ira Schoffel explains:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/fsu/story/752287.html

A game report with a 'Noles perspective from the Palm Beach Journal:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/11/01/1101fsu.html

Here are the links to Atlanta Journal Constitution stories:

Furman Bisher column:

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bisher/entries/2008/11/01/emotions_rise_fall_in_techs_na.html

Game notes, including Josh Nesbitt injury info:

http://http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/01/tech_nesbitt_ankle_injury.html

Some great photos by Mash on the gas:

http://mashonthegas.blogspot.com/

Finally, another fine performance by Roddy Jones. Two huge kickoff returns. A profile from Macon.com here:

http://http://www.macon.com/169/story/510710.html

GT 31 FSU 28

Wow. Georgia Tech defeated Florida State 31-28 in what was probably the best game in Bobby Dodd Stadium since defeated UGA 51-48 in 1999 (ironically, a game decided on a fumble in the end zone).

Maybe the most important accomplishment of this win is that we will be going to a bowl. This means that this team will have an additional 15 practices in December, critical with developing a team of freshman and sophomores for 2009 and 2010.

Ken Sugiura gives props to a couple of true freshman here:
http://www.ajc.com/gatch/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/01/georgia_tech_florida_state.html

Huskers for Paul Johnson gives their take on the win:
http://huskersforpauljohnson.blogspot.com/2008/11/wow.html

They also give their take on what a truly amazing accomplishment this team has produced:
http://http//huskersforpauljohnson.blogspot.com/2008/11/youth-movement.html

Florida State tries to figure what wrong on defense:
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Headlines/sptFBC05110208.htm

I'll try to throw a few more posts later today.