Week Three AP Poll an Indictment on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' Early Returns

(So what do you think Paul Johnson would say about the new AP rankings?)

My, but the mighty fall from grace with the swiftness of the western wind.

So did Georgia Tech, after their rather unimpressive 33-17 defeat at the hands of the resurgent Miami Hurricanes.

For their efforts, the 'Canes shot up from No. 20 to No. 9.

Tech, however, slid sharply, from No. 14 a week ago to the second-leading team among "others receiving votes."

Now, we can argue up and down about whether this is fair, and a case can be made both ways (although it is tough to see how the same pollsters cited Miami's new-found superiority as deserving of a top 10 nod, and yet the team they beat should fall even farther from grace).

These rankings should be seen by interested parties in the Flats as a clear indication of where they stand in the eyes of those who affect the mood of the body politic of college football.

Yes, losing to Miami doesn't look so bad considering how many eyes are suddenly turned toward south Florida.

I don't think this national slap in the face has nearly as much to do with the overall body of work the Jackets have put forth three games into what was supposed to be a BCS-driven season. Frankly, it's been anything but that at times.

The malaise in the second half against Jacksonville State could be excused—big lead, bad team, looking ahead to next week.

So, too, could we all write off the second half performance against Clemson. This team just needed a week to get its head right and focus, right?

For Miami, there was no excuse. The Jackets were bettered in nearly every phase of the game, and pretty much all night long.

All the hints, all the bothersome signs, every imperfection fans tried to wallpaper over in their minds, it all exploded on Georgia Tech on one very bad night in the Magic City.

Now this doesn't mean this season is going to be a colossal failure, far from it. But this Top 25 snub should be a signal and a warning to the Yellow Jackets and their faithful—talent, potential, high expectation, none of it wins games, and nobody's impressed by it if you can't make the most of it.

The rest of this season is Georgia Tech's to make or waste, from this point forward.