cham·pi·on
Pronunciation: \ˈcham-pē-ən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin campion-, campio, of West Germanic origin; akin to Old English cempa warrior
Date: 13th century

1 : warrior, fighter
2 : a militant advocate or defender
3 : one that does battle for another’s rights or honor
4 : a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also : one who shows marked superiority

Merriam-Websters defines a champion as a warrior. A fighter.

On Saturday, December 5, Georgia Tech was just that.

For one fleeting moment in history, the Yellow Jackets ended the season defining themselves as something more than a mediocre program. It defined itself as a champion.

Since the glory days of Bobby Dodd, Tech’s celebrations have been few and far between. This of course is one of the main reasons the Georgia game is magnified. For most Jacket fans, that’s the National Championship game. Now, things have drastically changed. Paul Johnson has seen to that.

Try as the Tigers might, Clemson was unable to beat Tech for the second time this season. That’s right, the second time. Clemson and Georgia Tech made it meeting number 75 on Saturday. It was the first time the two teams had met twice in a single season. The Jackets have now beaten Clemson in four consecutive match ups.

Even with the warrior C.J. Spiller (turf toe and all) and his record shattering performance with over 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns, Clemson still was unable to defeat the complete team that is Paul Johnson’s bunch.

Tech punched its ticket to the Orange Bowl by the final of 39-34.

It took the entire team to win this one. It took Josh Nesbitt’s leadership and resiliency, despite being stopped on a fourth down conversion late. It took Damarius Thomas’ long touchdown catch. It took Scott Blair’s insanely accurate leg for three field goals, two of which were beyond 45 yards. Despite not being able to stop Spiller, the Jackets defense held everyone else in check, and caused two costly interceptions. It was also a defensive play at the end by Derrick Morgan, who sacked Kyle Parker, that solidified the win. With time ticking away, it was the X-Factor, Jonathan Dwyer who ran it in for the final score.

That final drive was like magic. With a little over six minutes left, Tech drove down the field. 85 yards. Five minutes. A touchdown. A lead. A victory. A championship. A season defined.

Clemson wasn’t going to roll over and die. They gave the Jackets all they could handle. However, in the end, the better team won. For Clemson, the loss of Spiller to the NFL could be devastating. He single handedly almost won the ACC Championship.

For Johnson, this is only the beginning. This is something Tech faithful should be thankful for.

“Hopefully we’re building a program that’s going to be here for a while,”‘ Johnson would say. “[The national championship] is a goal, certainly.”

Now Tech has a match up in the Orange Bowl, its first BCS Bowl birth.

Merriam-Websters defines a champion as a winner of first prize or first place in competition, also one who shows marked superiority.

Tech proved they were the ACC’s best all season. Ironically, they’ll play in the only place Tech lost an ACC game all season.

Next stop: Miami.