Looking To The Future, Measuring Against The Past

After the AMAZING win this past Saturday under the lights at Bobby Dodd, Georgia Tech has to face the unlikely leader of the Coastal Division in Virginia's Cavaliers.  As every writer, statistician, talking head, etc. has already pointed out, Georgia Tech hasn't won in Charlottesville since they beat Virginia back in 1990.  Back then, I was in Elementary school and wasn't the football fan I am today, or I might be able to tell you more about our last National Championship season.  But knocking off Virginia here could have similarly lofty results if things get mixed up at the top of the BCS.

The Yellow Jackets aren't looking past this game like most of us are as fans.  And that's a good thing, because we can't afford a loss here if we are going to stay in contention for the ACC Title Game, much less a shot at a BCS game.   Paul Johnson has done an excellent job over the past two years of keeping the team focused on the game at hand, with the notable exception of LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, which I'm embarrassed to admit staying too long into the beating at the Georgia Dome.  If Johnson can keep the team focused and having fun, they should win out, which would give Georgia Tech it's first 10+ win season in over a decade (1998's 10-2 season under George O'Leary).

An 11-win season presents one other question that could be answered on Saturday.  Winning out leaves the Coastal Division in Miami's hands.  And this Saturday could be our best chance for them to lose.  Clemson woke up on both offense and defense this weekend putting up nearly 40 points, while holding a respectable Wake Forest team to a measly three points.  If the Tigers show up again, Jacory Harris could be in for a rough afternoon.  And Tech needs that to happen to have a real chance at the Division.

If the games played between the two divisions already this season is any indicator, the Coastal champion is all but guaranteed the title. (The Atlantic division is 0-6 against it's Coastal brethren so far, ouch.)  And with all the ACC Coastal talent knocking on the door of the BCS, there is even the possibility of TWO ACC teams in BCS bowls, but that's just a dream.

*As a note, an 11-1 season leaves the door open for two more wins, the ACC Title Game in Tampa and whatever Bowl game Tech goes to.  Tech last won 11 games in 1990 (11-0-1), which garnered them a National Championship; 12 games in the 1952 season (12-0), which ALSO earned a National Championship; And they have NEVER won 13 games in a season; Their best record in a 13 game season is 9-4 last year under Johnson.