Do you Beeeeeelieve??????

Are you ready to jump on board? Are you ready to get behind this team? Are you ready to quit criticizing and just scream? You better.


Here are my game notes:


1. The GAMEPLAN was outstanding. Chan Gailey (or "Shan" as the announcers kept saying on ESPN) and staff had this team prepared. He opened up the playbook. He kept Auburn off-balance. Say what you want about Chan Gailey, but he did the job tonight. He deserves credit for this win............


2. This was really a team effort. Offense, defense, special teams. Chris Reis said it in the post-game show. "Our theme this year is family. That's what we are about". Guys stepped up at the right time. A true team effort.


3. The defense bent but did not break. In the end, they rattled a 1st year starting QB with the usual array of blitzing from every direction. They rattled Brandon Cox early, but then he found a flow in the 2nd quarter. Then they rattled him again in the 2nd half, forcing 4 INT's. Let's face it - you don't win many games with 5 turnovers (one fumble)......... Auburn's running game was held to 50 yards. That's the lowest total since guess when? That's right - 2003 against Georgia Tech when we held them to 40 years............... On the surface, the secondary looks good with 4 INT's. However, Cox did have 341 yards passing and was 22-44. And he did exploit the mid-range passing game well. In addition, there are some serious tackling issues a few guys need to work on this week in practice. Chris Reis said it was not a great performance at all and they have work to do..........In the end, the INT's just killed Auburn. For that you really have to credit pressure at the line. The defense bent but did not break and held Auburn scoreless in the 2nd half. Ton Tenuta made the adjustments when needed. The coaching chess game was fascinating........... Just outstanding....


4. The Offensive Line was good. They were very good. How many times do you remember Reggie under extreme pressure? How many times to you remember him being knocked down? Folks, the O-Line did themselves proud against an experienced talented line with two stud DE's. Reggie was sacked only once. They opened up holes for the running game for about 144 yards rushing.


5. Reggie Ball was in control. For the most part he made good decisions. There were probably 3-4 plays he wished he could take back. Heck, his one INT was a play designed for Calvin Johnson - a 3 WR set on one side with CJ on man coverage. The defender made a good play and it was the wrong Johnson - James - out by himself. Reggie ends the game 17-36, 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Now, that's again below 50%, but he was poised and threw the ball away when he needed to. All in all, an outstanding effort by Reggie. Coach Gailey said in his post-game interview "Reggie engineered a win. And isn't that what quarterbacks are supposed to do?"................


6. The Wide Receiver core showed that this is not just the Calvin Johnson show. Yes, CJ led with 4 catches for 66 yards, but a total of 7 different guys caught passes tonight. Pat Clark actually catches 6 balls for 36 yards. Johnson left the game with cramps and had to get IV fluids to re-hydrate. I guess you just can't send a guy long every time. Of course when he's not going long, he's blocking somebody. Get that man a gatorade............


7. PJ Daniels was well........... PJ Daniels. He appears to be back. He had 23 carries for 111 yards. We saw a glimpse of Tashard Choice, who had 4 carries for 15 yards. Daniels bounced around and showed his usual enthusiasm and put the nail in the coffin with a 1st down run near the end of the game. Man, we are just a different team when he's healthy.


8. The kicking game was outstanding. Travis Bell just knocked everything through the uprights. Ben Arndt had an outstanding punting game. Other than the first punt, he was fabulous. Give him a pass on first-game jitters. But putting Auburn deep in their own territory many times was crucial. Coach Gailey said "I don't care how good you are, that's tough to be pinned deep like that".......... Chris Woods bobbled one kick-off, but had an ok game returning kicks. Pat Clark was solid returning punts.


8. How about some individual standouts? Honestly there are too many. But some that I thought needed recognition.......... The usuals - Ball, Johnson, Daniels........ But how about Mike Cox? Folks, we ran a LOT of 2-back sets with Cox leading the way. And he blew open holes. That's old-school football, and Cox is going to be a stud on this team............... Jamal Lewis. Kenny Scott goes down with an injury and Lewis is everywhere. Pressure on the QB, great coverage. He did a lot of good things tonight............... Joe Anaoi. The shoulder seemed pretty good. He knocked the QB's arm that led to one INT and was really a force at key times during the game............. The whole O-Line. I didn't watch closely enough to see who stood out, so give'em all credit............. Travis Bell and Ben Arndt. Great job in the kicking game.............Lastly, how about Chan Gailey. Great gameplan. Solid playcalling. He was the man tonight too...........


9. Now the 24 hour rule is in effect. Time to move on. Well, give it another 12 hours. Time for redemption against UNC. Time to show that THIS Georgia Tech team is different. That THIS team is not bi-polar. That THIS team will win the games they are supposed to. The Auburn win is nice, but the quest for the ACC Championship STARTS with UNC in one week.........................