Let me admit a few things up front.  First, I have been trying to be optimistic about this team.  I keep acting like they can win even when all realistic chances of that were eliminated by the third game of the season.  Even now Tech looks like they are just one or two spring practices away from finally coming together as a team.

   The second thing I will admit is that I found the Kansas game bitterly disappointing.  This team looked on paper like they could be just as good as last year.  Of course Heather Dinich kept telling me otherwise this summer.  I hate it when she is right.   Also Bird spelled it out quite scientifically in his article about what happens to teams who deplete their depth to the pros.  But I wanted to believe otherwise.

    So here is where we are.  This team will be lucky to get a bowl game, and if given one, probably does not deserve it.  This was a rebuilding year.  Truth is, next year probably will be also.

   Here is what I think about the rest of this season.  Next time there is a blindingly beautiful day like last Saturday I should trust my instincts and go play outdoors with the family.  I should take a hike or explore some place I have never been.  I should do this not out of spite or petulance towards a football team but because the young men on the field are doing the best they can with their day and I should do the best I can do with my day.

   As for the team my advice would be simple.  Skip the bowl game conversation.  Decide now that you are not going.  Let Duke be your conference championship game and let Georgia be your bowl game.  In the meantime see if you can develop some leaders on this team.  Resolve to focus on getting the little things right like snap counts, reading the defense, playing your position, avoiding arm tackles and catching the ball.  Everything you learn this year will be one less thing you have to learn next year.  Finally, decide that you are willing to pay the price to get better.  It will be worth it to you and it will taste a lot better in your mouth than the residue of this season.