I think our biggest problem with this game was that while Chan lacked fire emotionally, the players wanted to win so bad it made them play tight. So when PJ got in here all he heard about from every angle was how important the Ugag game was. I think a big part of his goal in saying things the way he does is to keep the team calm and loose. You can't play tight and have a good game. So you have to downplay the importance of the game. He wants them to approach and play this one just like all the other W's all year. There are plenty of people, in or around the program I'm sure, who are playing up this game whether they mean to or not.
In talking about the year I said the exact same thing about this game. If we lose then yes, it will suck. I will hate it worse than losing to Duke or UNC. But, it doesn't mean we had a bad year. Pretty much everyone would agree that we're already well beyond any expectations. I'm as sick of losing to those mouth breathers as anyone. Heck, my dad and I are the only GT fans in an extended family in Athens and my uncle even made the scout team for the dwags back in the day. I KNOW all about hearing about it all year long.
I'm sure PJ gets it now. He probably didn't really get it in '08, but he sure did in '09 and beyond. I'm sure he realizes a win over the Ugag would save a bad year and make him a god in a good year like this one. We are standing on the edge right now. A W over ugag and it's a GREAT year. Cannot be overstated. Wins over Ugag and FSU would be the best year since 1990, easily. He knows.