Coach Paul Johnson, who forever is getting questions that seem to presume the outcome of a game based on this offensive philosophy or that loss of a player, is also forever reminding sports writers that when all is said and done, "we're going to go ahead and play the game anyway."  There are several variations of this response but the implication is always the same.  Predictions mean nothing.  The final scoreboard is everything.

  So here is what we now know.  Nesbitt's Heisman trophy hopes are now effectively down the toilet.  North Carolina will not win a national championship.  Virginia Tech's season is toast.

  But we also know this.  Anybody can win on a given Saturday (or Thursday) and the team with the most heart and the best preparation will almost always come through.  It's a long season and you have to take one game at a time.