Corner approaching... Turn Now.

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin / AJC

There are a lot of little things that go into coming to the conclusion that a football program has "turned the corner." Be it negative or positive, there are moments when you look around and realize that somewhere on the recent road behind you, there was a turn and things are now either better or worse than before. If you have been a loyal Tech fan in the post O'leary era, then there was probably a point where you understood that the wheels have officially come off and this program wasn't heading in the right direction.

Some of you saw that turn early, some late. Maybe it was the time Reggie threw the ball out of bounds on 4th down against UGA? Maybe it was only scoring 6 points in an ACC Championship Game when Calvin Johnson is on you team? There were moments when I felt the dread, the dread that only comes with the lack of hope. The hope that things will get better. Coach Paul Johnson has been here almost two full years and at sometime during these last two seasons you may have gotten a glimpse, a ray, a twinkling of what the future could hold. Maybe it was watching as Roddy tight-roped the sidelines in Athens last year? Maybe it was storming the field against FSU last year? Maybe it was taking a hacksaw to the goalpost after the VaTech game this year. Moments that define the experience. It's really what you live for, those single moments.

Well, I was taking a break to check out the musing of the message boards today when I ran across a single solitary sentence that for me, shows the corner being turned. After discussing the recent controversy that VaTech has stirred up regarding GT's apparent "illegal" blocking schemes the topic has a habit of turning to Johnson's perceived response to said controversy. Waiting the see what Coach Johnson is going to say is a joy and lead to this message board response that tales the tale.

"I can't wait for PJ's call-in-show tomorrow night."

Simple, elegant, truthful. A fan excited about more than football. More than tailgating, more than wins. A fan excited about a 1 hour Q&A session with our head football coach just based on the anticipation of what he might say.

Corner. Turned.

A Good Saturday

I think everyone wants to have a good Saturday. For each of us, that may mean something completely different. A good day with the family, a restful break from work, maybe a chance to visit friends and loved one or even a day to be at one with the earth. For the rest of us, its football.

I know, I know. There is football on Sunday, but does this look like an Atlanta Falcons blog to you?!?!? No, no it doesn't.

Moving on.

In the football world, a good Saturday is a thing of beauty. It is the day that brings to life the dreams you have had since the end of the previous Saturday. It all started so innocently, does it? We turn off the game after the adrenaline starts to slow down. Or, if you are lucky enough to go to the game, the long walk back to the family car usually does it. Nevertheless, your mind begins to slowly leave from the memories of the victory and shift to the next week. It starts innocently at first, a couple of thoughts that make the edges of your mouth curl upward. "Wouldn't it be cool if...." or "Man, if we could only......next week."

So for the rest of the week, those thoughts start to become more solid in your thinking. You start reading the message boards, yours and the other teams (because you are a college football ninja) so that you can dissect the other team's chances. you listen a bit more closely to the AM Sports radio guys when they mention your team's name and start to expound on next week. You text message your friend and say, "I think we can do this!", but not while driving of course. As the days tick by, you start seeing a real shot at glory. Your mind begins to envision a good Saturday.

So what is a good Saturday? First, obviously, it means that your team wins. There is no good in losing. It doesn't matter how they win but the bigger the score difference, the sweeter the victory. The fact is that they win. Second, your arch-rival ***coughUGAcough** loses. Some thing a good Saturday is when your team wins and there is truth to that. But a special Saturday is when your team is now two steps ahead of the rival. That is what makes a good Saturday. There has been many a late Saturday evening when I text Daron with those three simple words.

A Good Saturday.

But now comes a great Saturday. This is past the normal "good" in that it had potential season altering effects. This last weekend definitely fit that bill. The only true negative was that Georgia had its bye week. Had they played AND lost over the weekend, then I am sure I would have to come up with a whole new category for a Saturday.

Over the weekend, we had some fantastic things happen if you are a Georgia Tech fan. And if you are not, then reading this blog is like torture, sweet, sweet torture. Anyway, the Yellow Jackets won and not just won, they dominated. If you read Steven's entry recently about the great breaker of streaks, Paul Johnson, then you know that Tech has ended several curses recently that plagued up for many years (Thanks Chan). We can now add another to that list.

Tech dominated Virginia. Plain and simple. They controlled the time of possession and held the Cavaliers to three field goals. And this was a Virginia team that people said had a real shot at being good. Well, here you go Virginia, you were 9 points of awesome. The recent BCS poll has Tech now at #11, which puts us in a really good spot if you hate the number 10. But that victory, which was joyous was followed by another one by Clemson.

I want to thank you Clemson. Really. You guys really are out of it but you played your hearts out at Miami and did the one thing that we wanted you to do, beat Miami. Once Miami fell, Tech has now become the front-runner in the Coastal conference. This now puts an end to the "Iron Triangle" as Sports Illustrated had coined it. Because Miami now has TWO loses and Tech beat the Hokies, we now control things.

I know, I know. It is far too early to start celebrating. But Tech has earned the right to be in a good place. With two more games in conference against quality (but lesser) opponents, Tech has the chance to be 6-1 in conference. With Vanderbilt on Halloween, Tech has a good chance to be 10-1 heading in to face the Bullfrogs.

So I think that makes it a good Saturday, don't you?

And now, the brand spankin' new Ridiculous AJC UGA Vent of the Week!
"I understand that Tech will receive rings for the chemical spill on their campus last week."

Really, is that the best you guys got?

Tech top of the Coastal, Miami Falls

Well, I get home from a midnight showing of Paranormal Activity which now seems to have been a mistake in movie selection because the thoughts of sleeping in a dark room anytime for the next 6 months now seems like a impossibility. Freaking creepy movie.

Well, since I'm too chicken to sleep I thought I'd check out the latest news from the college football world. So I swing over to the AJC site to see what coverage they had on today's Tech game and low and behold they found a way to get UGA on the front page. Now I'm not a AJC pro UGA conspiracy theorist. In fact I've been very happy with their coverage this year, but seriously folks...?

With Clemson pulling the upset and knocking off Miami that puts Tech on top of the ACC Coastal. Get by Wake Forest and Duke and we are on our way to Tampa Bay. Sadly I doubt anyone other than Miami, above us in the BCS rankings, will fall. In fact I expect to see very little change except to see us move up one to take Miami's spot. But not to worry, play the games, win the games and don't take anything for granted. Do that and everything will take care of itself.

Wreck takes down the Hoos - 34-9

Sports Illustrated site giving us some pub.

(Gold)post Memories

Lucas Cox is funny - Know Your Jackets

Thursday's With Debbie

I think for the rest of the season we should have

a Debbie Gibson photo every Thursday.

So...I remove 2 hot dogs from their packaging and place them in the oven to begin baking. Place both the uncapped jar of cheese along with the chili bowl in the microwave, set time at 4 min. Two buns are removed from their bag and placed in the microwave for 12 seconds once the cheese and chili have been thoroughly warmed thru to my satisfaction. Extract two plump and juicy hotdogs from the oven and place said hotdogs on each respective bun. Top each hotdog with a solid spoon full of chili followed by a nice drizzle of melty cheddar. Retire to the living room with a frosty beverage, plate of two hotdogs, and an Oscar winning motion picture presented in high definition. Find a comfortable spot on the couch, pick up hotdog, drop hotdog. Hotdog rolls down my chest, from my collar to my belt buckle, dragging the chili and cheese with it.

How was your lunch?

All The Way Turnt Up

Jackets Getting Some Attention

After what seemed like not much attention for beating the #4 team in the nation, GT popped up on the front page of CBS and CNNSI's college football pages today.

Screenshots below and articles here:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12393927
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/10/20/week8-1/index.html

Do You Think He Was Expecting This???

Paul Johnson Hates Streaks

"Did you say streak?" (Photo by AJC)

Paul Johnson clearly hates streaks. Streaks against him, that is. And when Paul Johnson hates something, he makes it disappear. In one a half years on the Flats, here are the streaks Paul Johnson has broken that the previous administration made or failed to break. Oh, and he broke all of these on his first try.

November 1, 2008 - Beat Florida State
Tech hadn't beaten FSU since 1975, a 12-game losing streak

November 29, 2008 - Beat uga
Tech hadn't beaten uga since 2000, a 7-game losing streak

October 10, 2009 - Beat Florida State in Tallahassee
Tech had NEVER beated FSU in Tallahassee

October 17, 2009 - Beat a Top 5 team (VT) at home
Tech hadn't beaten a Top 5 team at home since 1962 (but had on the road), a 17-game losing streak

CPJ has a chance to break a long-time Tech losing streak for the third week in a row on Saturday. Tech hasn't beaten UVA in Charlottesville since 1990, the National Championship season.

CPJ not only breaks streaks; he prevents them from happening. So far, he has already avenged two of last year's 3 regular season losses (UNC and VT). Who was the third? UVA. I'd say the Wahoos have a lot to worry about this weekend.

Wow. That was fun.

Big win for the program. Photo by AJC.

I'm still on a high form this weekend (an emotional one). Saturday was easily the most fun I've ever had at a football game and is up there with the Will Bynum buzzer beater at the Final Four for most fun at a sporting event ever.

The place was rockin'. Heather Dinich at ESPN (who loves VT) said it was louder than Lane Stadium has been this year, and they played Miami (albeit in a monsoon). So props to the crowd Saturday night.

And how 'bout that defense? Thank you for showing up. Especially since the offense waited until halftime to do so. And boy did they. 309 rushing yards after, what, 30-something in the first half?! This is the first time in a DECADE a team has rushed for 300 yards on a Bud Foster defense. But you know what? This offense will never work vs. the elite teams...

On that note, I really like this article by Dr. Saturday about our team. I especially liked this part:

This is normally where you'd expect a smug rhetorical eyebrow raised at the doubters, skeptics and other haters of Johnson's unique system, but I'm not sure those people actually exist anymore. Nor should they, and if they do, they're in deep, irrational denial. The explosive finish last year against Miami and Georgia has carried over unabated -- the Jackets put up 400-plus yards and 30 points on Clemson; 400-plus yards and 24 points on North Carolina; 400-plus and 42 points on Mississippi State; and 500-plus and 49 on Florida State, against whom they didn't punt once.

Folks, this is a great time to be a Georgia Tech fan. The team is #11 in the AP, #12 in the BCS, and finally getting some respect. It helps when the defense shows up with the offense. We're through the meat of our schedule, so if CPJ can keep the team focused and playing well, this could be a fun ride. Thank you, DRad, for hiring Paul Johnson.

GO JACKETS!!

2009 Davis GameDay Experience - Update

For those of you who are planning on coming to the GameDay Experience this Saturday I wanted to drop a quick note to let you know that all the details can be found on the secondary page links at the top of the left sidebar (GameDay Info, Tailgate Menu, Map & Directions, etc.) This will be especially handy for those of you who are new attendees to the Experience. Also, if you are driving in from out of town be aware that the maps and directions have been revised this year.

If you tailgate elsewhere feel free to stop by have a beer and say hello. Looking forward to seeing you there!

I want it to be Saturday right now...

I'm not sure I've ever been more excited for a game to just get here. Mostly because, as a fan, I can't help think like this:

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/10/12/if-georgia-tech-wins-this-week-the-door-flies-open/

This weekend's game is huge, and despite our defensive woes, I think we can pull it off. It's going to be a great game for sure, and I know the team and our coach remember the game we fought and lost in large part because of a bogus penalty last year.

To keep you entertained until Saturday, check out these charts from EDSBS:

Someone must have missed a block

Josh Nesbitt - Warrior (forget the Poet)

Rarely do you watch a single player will his team to a victory.

Josh Nesbitt did so Saturday night.

Who Needs a Defense?

Josh Nesbitt = my hero (Photo by AJC)

Wow. What a game. Sure, there are some negatives to point out, but man is our offense rolling. And man is Josh Nesbitt THE man.

Check out these offensive stats:

401 yards rushing
7.0 yards per carry
131 yards passing
16.4 yards per completion
0 punts
0 FG attempts
7 touchdowns
Only 2 penalties for 9 yards
8-1o on 3rd downs
2-2 on 4th downs

Wow. Props to our offensive line, all of our A and B-backs, our WRs, and the man, Josh Nesbitt. Add to those stats 1 "theft." Nesbitt's reacquisition of the football after the fumbled pitch was the play of the game. That shows the heart CPJ said our team lacked after the first few games. The rest of the season is going to be exciting, starting with this weekend.

GO JACKETS!!!

Johnson Quotes - Part 2

"Maybe it's just my personality or me, but I don't know how you can be good at anything if you're not competitive... If you and I (Wes) are playing jack rocks here on this table, if you beat me I'm gonna want to fight you. I wanna play again and again until I win."

-Paul Johnson

Quite Possibly the Greatest Website of All TIME!

When I was younger, my parents decided that it would be a good idea if they removed all elements of fun from my life so that I could focus on doing better in school and staring at the ceiling (I was already good at that). We lived far removed from every other form of life and it required a nice bike ride for me to even see my closest (literal and metaphorical) friend. So if I wanted to participate in the newest entertainment method available, Nintendo, I had to do some serious planning.

My friend Daniel had a Nintendo system and needless to say, we spent TONS of hours every weekend playing it till our fingers fell off. I was amazed at how awesome the games were to play, even though we had only one controller. Daniel was my only link to the modern world and I exploited that link to no end. I learned all I could about the Nintendo, even how to blow on the inside of the games, push the game down (way down) into the console and use a quarter to keep it there. Yes, we were gaming MaGyvers. It was truly a special time.

So a year or so ago, I stumbled across the website EveryVideoGame.com and was amazed. All of the games that I played and wanted to play were in one free location. It is truly a remarkable accomplishment. Ladies and Gentlement, I submit to you: EveryVideoGame

Yes, yes I know. This has nothing to do with football.....sue me.

Saturday Night Lights - 2009 Davis GameDay Experience

For all those who are attending the Davis GameDay Experience this year we have a bit of news. For the first time in the history of the GameDay Experience, IT'S A NIGHT GAME!

It's been announced that the Oct 17th meeting between Georgia Tech & Virginia Tech will be a 6pm kickoff. This is great news as it means more time to tailgate!

Keep and eye on MOTG in the coming days for more details regarding menu, directions, etc. Updates to the menu links on the side bar will be coming shortly. Drop me an e-mail if you have any questions.

Crazy Train

Wrote a song about it. Wanna hear it? Here it go.

So Georgia Tech makes the 4 hour ride over to Starkville Mississippi tomorrow to play themselves a football game. Well as history goes many a moon ago, musical deity and close personal friend of the show here at MOTG, Johnny CASH found himself in a little bit of a pickle in ole Starkville. Legend has that on May 11, 1965 it he was drunk out on the streets of Starkville late one night (early one morning) picking flowers. Arrested, 36 dollars in fines and a night in jail later he wrote a song about it and the town of Starkville celebrates the event with the annual Flower Pickin' Festival. Mr. CASH recently got a full pardon

Know Your Jackets, More

The AJC has added some more Know Your Jackets interviews, enjoy.

A Note on Recruiting

I understand that we are in the middle of the season but I am always curious to know about next year's crop of Georgia Tech football players. Recruiting is a battle. Teams are looking for young talent that not only meshes with their program but can also be a positive for the school (except for UGA). I checked a couple of recruiting websites and I noticed Tech doing something I thought was near impossible.

Practically ALL their recruits are from the state of Georgia. That's right! The Yellow Jackets are making an effort to bring in homegrown talent. This is really smart on their end. They know that young players, for the most part, want to stay close to home to family and friends can see them play. It also breeds a sense that Tech is really involved in Georgia high school athletics. They are not traveling the nation over to see what they can get some New Jersey or Nevada. This is an excellent selling point!

They are getting more blue chip players. Last year's recruiting pool looked really thin compared with other schools. Tech had only 1 four star player sign on to be a Jacket. This next class is looking better and better! As of now, Tech had 5 four star players signed and the year is not done yet.

I know that the number of stars do not equal player quality but it is a tremendous tool to have to show other high school players that Tech does not feed of the remains of the UGA plate.

Check it out HERE!

Ten Thoughts

Photo Credit: Johnny Crawford - AJC

Just a few thoughts I had regarding the NC game and the upcoming Miss State game.

1. Find a top high school kicker, give them a scholarship. Eventually a field goal will be the difference between a championship and not. As a result of the NC game, it looks like the kicking job is now open. Check out the articles below.

LINK - Tech kicking job open
LINK - Yellow Jackets' kicking battle might go until Saturday

2. Defense played great against NC, although the Offense gave them the leg up. We'll need the same effort against MSU.

3. Nesbitt is a warrior. You could see at the end of the NC game that he was completely exhausted, yet he marched on. But I do worry we are calling his number too much. Check out this article from the AJC regarding Josh. Here's an excerpt of what Sean Bedford had to say,

"It’s a real inspiration to everyone who is out there to see that the guy that you are supposed to be protecting, your leader is fighting with you, taking those hits and getting up and coming back at it again."

LINK - Tech's Nesbitt tough enough

4. It was nice to see the offense put together long sustained drives that put 6 on the board. We all know how that works, it tires out the opposing D and milks the clock keeping their O off the field. We held the ball 42 min compared to their 18 min. This I'd like to see more of as it relates back to point #2. That said we stalled out way too much in the red zone.

5. Thank you crowd. I was fully expecting the threat of rain to keep people away, but that was not the case. It was loud and people were into the game. In fact oddly enough I think it got louder when the rain started to fall. Don't believe me? Check out this article regarding the game, which had this to say,

"Carolina was surprised by two things: the crowd noise and the lack of rain. The stadium was near capacity and the Yellow Jacket fans were loud when they should be. That is the result of having an enthusiastic and informed fan base.

Remember, Tech has been playing football for a long time; the Heisman trophy is named after John Heisman, who coached Georgia Tech for 16 years in the early 1900’s. The bad snap in the second quarter was the result of Carolina switching to a silent cadence due to the crowd noise. The silent cadence led to a miscommunication, which led to a turnover at absolutely the worst time."

LINK - http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/story/6098630/

6.

7. Dan Mullen, MSU's new head man may have come from the Urban Myer school of football, but don't expect to see Florida's offense on the field Sat. So far our one loss has come at the hands of a team that kept our O off the field. See points #2 and #4. You'll see MSU run the ball, a lot.

8. I've already mentioned the refs, so has Paul Johnson. Guess it's time to move on, but the ACC really needs to fix this problem. Check out this article from Coley Harvey at Macon.com. Here's a spinet of what Coach had to say,

"I probably could have handled it better than I did, but I was really upset."

LINK - Johnson: problems with officials

9. So, a guy from Kentucty calls into last night's radio show and asks about the blue uniforms and if we could put Jackets really big across the front. (Kinda like the Sooners) Of course the laughter begins and Wes makes the comment that we made it all the way to the end of Sept before getting a uniform question. With that said MSU wore white at home vs LSU, so maybe you'll get to see something a little different Sat night. Personally, I think we need to worry more about MissState. This could be a hard fought battle.

10. Apparently, MSU's D thinks they can get the inside track on how to stop our offense from their buddies over at Miami. Will it help?

"I might call [former MSU linebacker] Dominic Douglas to see what their wishbone is like,” said Chaney, a Fort Pierce, Fla., native and former Georgia signee. “I know a lot of dudes, too, who play for the University of Miami, who just played them. I am going to call all of them to see what they did to slow them down."

LINK - Mississippi State says it's ready for Tech's rush


Nice work by JoltinJacket from Stingtalk for grabbing that video.

Paul Johnson Radio Show

If you missed the show last night, you can listen to it here: LINK

Listen to past shows via the podcast feed on RamblinWreck.com: LINK

Here are some more details on the show, incase you want to plan to head down to Fox Sports Grill(e) and see it live: LINK

Classic