Five takeaways from the big game between Georgia Tech and Florida State this weekend in Atlanta.
1. Yes, the sun did come up the next day after FSU lost to Ga. Tech. I was crushed, but life does go on.
2. Though I hated to lose, I have to admit that it was fun watching all the Ga. Tech fans, students and alumni celebrate their well-earned victory after the game.

First, the fans flooded the field at the end of the game; and later when we walked back to our cars, the fraternity houses and dorms were awash with loud music and screaming, celebrating students. The whole place was rocking.  I’m sure there were many hangovers the next morning… on both sides.

The end of the game made it all the sweeter for our foes.

See the video of the ending here.

3. Speaking of the Georgia Tech fans, I have nothing but good things to say about them. I saw no taunting of our fans, and I’m happy to report that our FSU fans seemed to exhibit good sportsmanlike behavior, too.  I did hear a few Ga. Tech fans grouse about how many Noles fans came to Atlanta.  We were well represented.

My husband went to Ga. Tech, and we met up with some of his fraternity brothers and spouses before the game while tailgating and after the game in a local lounge. The lounge was full of rejoicing Tech fans, who were all very respectful of my position as an FSU alum and fan.

In turn they and several other Ga. Tech people told me that the FSU fans near where they sat during the game were on their best behavior. They said that the FSU fans took the loss with a good sportsmanlike attitude.

Makes me proud to be a Nole!

4. Before the game, Chuck bemoaned the fact that it seemed ludicrous that they were playing FSU for their homecoming. I said, “Well, if you win, it will be the best Homecoming ever,” never once thinking that Tech would beat my beloved ninth-ranked Seminoles.

Well, they did and it was an upset and a Tech Homecoming to be remembered. Chuck’s head is still in the clouds.

5. I saw something at the game that I haven’t seen in years–the students dressed up for a football game. Since this was their homecoming, many of the Tech female students came to the game wearing white dresses; and they were dressed to the 9s.

They reminded me of when I was in school. We always dressed up extra for Homecoming with heels, hose, and a large yellow football mum for a corsage.

6. Tech’s colors are gold, white, and black, and sometimes dark navy. This was a “white out” game with everyone in the stands wearing white.

The Noles showed up in garnet, so it was easy to see both in the stands.  The white was a nice contrast to the garnet.

I didn’t realize how dressed up the young women were until Chuck and I stopped by before the game to visit the Alpha Xi Delta house, my sorority’s chapter house on the Tech campus. All my sisters there were wearing white dresses, and at first I thought it was just an Alpha Xi thing until later walking on to the game I noticed many more young women wearing white.

By the way the Tech Alpha Xi house is beautiful inside and out. You can tell that my sisters there take great pride in their sorority.

7.  Georgia Tech, did you have to put our band up in the nosebleed section of the northeast end zone corner?  Sorry, but we could still hear them anyway.  The Marching Chiefs are loud, proud and many; and I guess that is why you put them where you did.

All in all, though, this was southern college football at its best.

I just can’t help wishing, though, that Tallahassee were celebrating today instead of Atlanta!