Georgia Tech-Florida State: Post-Game Thoughts

(Make no mistake, No. 9 is the man Georgia Tech can't live without)

In a series of important lessons about the talent and makeup of this Georgia Tech squad, Saturday night might have been this season's most important.

To boil it down: Georgia Tech found its missing resiliency.

With a defense that as much resembled a colander as a dinner plate through the first half and despite a one hour-plus lightning delay, the Jackets persevered for a 49-44 win —the program's first at Doak Campbell Stadium—to pass the first of two important tests in this year's ACC race. 

Next week is Virginia Tech, but for tonight, we'll talk Tech-FSU. Some post-game thoughts for you:

• Anyone who doubts Josh Nesbitt is what makes Tech's offense go, sit down. Not only did he account for four touchdowns, but that takeaway of the takeaway was the turning point of the game and possibly the defining moment of this season.
  
• Tech's defense was terrible. Really, awfully, indescribably terrible. But they did adjust. The 'Noles put up 403 yards in the first half, but 136 in the second. In a game of who-scores-last, Tech's defense did just enough.
  
• It's time to give up the argument against the option. Florida State owned the first half, and all Tech's offense did was answer every single score, and then wrest control of the game in the second half, eventually for good. The option is a short-yardage offense and a big-play offense at the same time. Get used to it, it's not going anywhere.
  
• Kudos to Tech's special teams. The kick coverage was good, Corwin Smith continues to impress in the return game, and Jaybo Shaw even deserves some dap—the backup QB recovered a crucial second-half onside kick try by FSU.
• Four-hundred and one rushing yards at Doak Campbell Stadium. Just sayin'.
• More on this later, but Paul Johnson is seriously changing the culture at Georgia Tech. They'd lost seven in a row to Georgia, Johnson beat the Dawgs in Athens. Tech was 0-for-12 against FSU overall, and 0-of-6 in Tallahassee. Two years, two streaks ended.
  
• Just got a note here from Capt. Obvious: Next week in Atlanta is a big game. Big game. See you (before) then.