I can’t thank you all enough for the great support you have shown our football team this season. The student-athletes, our coaches and staff are working extremely hard to make this a special season for all of us. We can’t complete that task without you.

That is why I am reaching out to you to today. It is important in the coming weeks that you get behind us like never before. Our stadium needs to be packed with supportive Tech fans when we take on Georgia on Saturday night and then we’ll need you all to plan to travel with us as we play for the ACC Championship in Tampa on December 5th.

But during these critical game days for our football team, I am personally asking that we exhibit the utmost in sportsmanship. Please treat our opponents with respect and dignity. Make sure your actions reflect positively on yourself and on our football program. Your positive actions will continue to raise the profile of this great Institute and of Georgia Tech football across this nation.

Thank you and go Jackets!

Paul Johnson
Head Football Coach
Georgia Tech

P.S. One of our A-backs, Roddy Jones, has video message for our fans.
Click here to see it.

Ramblin' Along by Eugene

Stiff Arm by Eugene

Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field

Most of Eugene’s images are available for prints. Eugene is a firm believer that images are meant to be viewed on paper (as opposed to the computer screen). Whether your looking for a Christmas gift or just that perfect memento for yourself, consider a 30″x20″ poster or a 12″x8″ print. For more information regarding prints, see Eugene’s prints blog: http://printsbyeugene.com. You can always hire Eugene for your personal photography needs.

5.  The JGF likes the name Jeff Schultz, sounds a lot like John Smoltz, and both are easily persuaded by $$$.  But Smoltz is actually cool. What was I talking about? Oh yeah, we would love to be linked to Smoltz, err Schultz.

4.We passed around a cash-bribe envelope in mom’s basement (aka: headquarters), but all we’ve gotten so far is a McDonald’s monopoly piece, a Slope’s BBQ card that only needs 2 more punches for a free sandwich, and the pre-paid phone card Bobby’s mom gave him.   Plus – if Jeff Schultz rolls us, we would gladly pay a bribe with some Jolly Good Brew.  (yes, we brew our own tailgate beer)

3. The JGF is on its way to becoming the Georgia Tech Fan blog of choice while Schultz is stuck writing for a newspaper, something we thought was made obsolete around the same time the mix-tape went out of style.  Kids, here’s a link to the Wikipedia article on newspapers just in case you don’t know what we’re talking about.  A link to our site would do wonders for launching Jeff into the 21st century, where people only buy newspapers when they are trying to house-train their pets.  And maybe next time you google “Jeff Schultz” the sports writer will come in above the Alaskan pet photographer.

2. The JGF offers you protection (sort of like Pedro did for Napoleon).  We are about all things Georgia Tech football, and while we know that you still must take shots at our beloved Engineers, we will only return fire with 1/10th the retribution such comments deserve.  A spot on the blogroll secures Jeff’s safety.

1. Finally, having at least one Georgia Tech presence on the blogroll will ensure at least some intelligent readers will make their way to Jeff Schultz’s corner of cyberspace.  And we all know that Al Gore didn’t invent the internet, Paul Johnson did.

So there you have it, a fortunate association with John Smoltz, a bribe of brew, your own safety, assistance in joining the 21st century, and an intelligent readership.  Time for you to cast your vote, Mr. Schultz, and join forces with the Jolly Good Fellows.

It’s yellow.

UGA and the Mark Richt era are on shaky ground. If there is one thing the decision makers over in Athens can’t stand, it’s an in state rival having more success than them.

Georgia is 4-4. They have four games left.

Georgia Tech is 8-1. Ranked in the Top 10. Prospects of an ACC Championship. The sky is the limit.

Both teams will play each other at the end of the season as usual, and in here we find the rub. Georgia is no longer sure of themselves or a victory over the team from The Flats. This is made especially so thanks to a 26 point third quarter in last years match up that lead to a 45-42 Tech win in Athens. This years game is in Atlanta.

Now with whispers of a Richt firing and a potential change at quarterback thanks to Joe Cox’s ineptness, flux is a kind word for the Bulldogs.

UGA went into their annual beat down against Florida…erm…”The World’s Largest Outdoor…erm…that SEC East rivalry game in Jacksonville, thinking that a change of scenery would strike fear into their opponents. Florida, being the reigning and defending National Champions, thought nothing of the black helmets or black pants. They just saw dinner. A 41-17 blowout later, and things are not looking up.

If UGA were to fire the best coach they’ve had since the “glory days” of Herschel Walker, whose rushing touchdown record was broken appropriately enough by Florida quarterback Tim Tebow during the game, it’s hard to see how things could get any better.

This is the same Richt who until last year, owned Tech. He had never lost to the Jackets, even as an offensive coordinator at Florida State. Now, because he didn’t deliver on a #1 pre season ranking a year ago, and his continued failure to meet unrealistic expectations this season, Richt appears to be on the chopping block. This is the problem with the UGA in a nut shell. The place is run by nuts.

Perhaps only Clemson has more lofty expectations. Perhaps not.

The problem with Athens is, they want to be in the conversation every year, and they think the SEC gives them that birth right. Sadly, the SEC also holds Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, two teams Tech defeated on the road. Mind you, the defense left a ton to be desired.

UGA is not elite, and really have never been. They were the best team for one season almost thirty years ago. They also had a running back that was very good. That too was thirty years ago. Since then, they’ve won three SEC Championships, two under Richt. Which leads to the asinine idea of firing him. Try Chan Gailey on for size.

Tech would kill for three ACC titles in that time period. In fact, the third ACC Championship since Tech’s last National Championship may come at the end of this season.

Athens should also get over the idea they should always be better than Georgia Tech. Not gonna happen. The tides have changed. Paul Johnson is doing for Tech what Richt did for UGA in 2001.

The only difference is, Johnson may be the coach to lead the Jackets to the promised land and their fifth National Title. Meanwhile, UGA is stuck with two, and should be more appreciative. They could be like Boise State, and stuck with none.

As Tech prepares for it’s 2nd SEC opponent of the year in Vandy, it’s imperative that Tech show up big on Halloween night and make a statement.  Vandy has played SEC opponents tight, if Tech can somehow not only win, as it should, but lay a pounding on Vandy, BCS pollsters would have to take note.  Lay the lumber to these boys early, take away any hope they have and finish them with style.

The QB Keeper

Regarding the BCS poll, I still don’t understand the love affair with USC which is ahead of Tech,  they got beat by Washington for goodness sake.  What a mess the whole thing is, but that’s another argument for another day.

The A Back Pitch

UGA may actually be able to help Tech by going to Jax and beating the Gators.  Just can’t bring myself to cheering for the Dawgs, but I surely wouldn’t mind if they win.  I’m also not sure if some UGA fans really want to win.  It would be curious to see UGA win by shutting down the UF offense, thus saving Willie Martinez’s job again.   Here’s to you Willie Martinez, I would love the chuckle of your defense somehow someway shutting down Florida and watching Dawg Nation foam at the mouth.  Go Daw…. no, THWG!

The stages Kubler-Ross identified are:

* Denial (this isn’t happening to me!)
* Anger (why is this happening to me?)
* Bargaining (I promise I’ll be a better person if…)
* Depression (I don’t care anymore)
* Acceptance (I’m ready for whatever comes)

Stage 1: Denial. The triple option will not work in big-time football. It’s a high school offense, a gimmick.

Stage 2: Anger. Dammit! We just got beat by the triple option. We were out-schemed. Next year we will use the LSU blueprint, and everything will return to normal.

Stage 3: Bargaining. Look, okay, so the triple option works with real players, but recruits, come play for us and we promise we won’t run that triple option and ruin your pro career. Without you blue-chippers, the option will fail.

Stage 4: Depression. I hate this. The triple option has ruined my life. I got owned on Sportscenter. I’m gonna take the triple option down with me. It only works because of cheating. The triple option should be illegal.

Stage 5: Acceptance. …. Still waiting for this stage, but just be patient.