Put down the Halloween candy, read and share this Georgia Tech and ACC stuff

Georgia Tech defeated Duke thanks to Justin Thomas, who had one of the greatest performances in school history.

Now, should Thomas be considered one of the best players in the Institute's long and storied history ? It was good enough to net this award.

Thomas was also honored by the ACC .

Things aren't going to get any easier with this week's against the NCAA-challenged North Carolina Tar Heels .

The next week, Tech will face Virginia Tech at a really strange time.

Before we get to the ACC power poll

I want to see your best Halloween costumes and/or pumpkins that are tied to Tech or some other ACC school or personality. Send them to me at droberson@ajc.com and I'll post them on the blog.

ACC Power Poll

This might be the most important ACC Power Poll that I’ve done since last week’s. So, please make sure that you meticulously overanalyze it, share it on the internets and social medias, and ridicule it until your throat is bloody and raw.

Clemson (1): The Tigers (8-0, 5-0) survived another close game. First it was Louisville. Last week it was Florida State in an ending that made coach Jimbo Fisher's ridiculously large wallet a little bit lighter. Next: at Florida State.
Louisville (2): (7-1, 5-1) The Cardinals escaped Virginia. Next: at Boston College.
Florida State (3): (5-3, 2-3) I'll be honest: I turned off the game after the Seminoles scored those two quick touchdowns. Next: at N.C. State.
North Carolina (4): (6-2, 4-1) The Tar Heels were off, likely dreaming up more ridiculous counter-arguments to the NCAA investigation. Next: vs. Georgia Tech.
Virginia Tech (5): (6-2, 4-1) The Hokies edged Pittsburgh last week in a thrilling game. Justin Fuente is working his magic in Blacksburg Next: at Duke.
Pittsburgh (6): (5-3, 2-2) Pat Narduzzi joined Fisher in being reprimanded by the ACC for criticizing the officiating. Personally, if the referees messed up coaches and players should be allowed to discuss it publicly. Next: at Miami.
Miami (7): The Hurricanes (4-4, 1-3) have lost four consecutive games. Next: vs. Pitt.
Georgia Tech (11): The Yellow Jackets (5-3, 2-3) have enough offense to play with anybody. It's the defense that keeps them in the middle of this poll. Next: at North Carolina.
Wake Forest (9): What looked to be an easy game against Army (5-3, 2-2) instead saw the Demon Deacons miss on a chance to become bowl eligible. Next: vs. Virginia.
N.C. State (8): There are certain teams in the ACC that no matter how hard I try, I just can't find anything interesting about them. The Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3) is/are one. Next: vs. Florida State.
Syracuse (10): Off last week. They (4-4, 2-2) will need that extra week. Next: at Clemson.
Duke (12): The Blue Devils (3-5, 0-4) couldn't stop Justin Thomas last week. That's why they lost. Next: vs. Virginia Tech.
Boston College (14): How about those Eagles (4-4, 1-4)? Next: vs. Louisville.
Virginia (13): How about those Wahoos (2-6, 1-3)? Next: at Wake Forest.

Tech in the NFL

As you send your ideas (hint, hint) for content for our little Tuesday conversation, I'll try to add them. Here's one asking how Georgia Tech's players did in the NFL last week:

Jeremiah Attaochu, Chargers, OLB: No tackles in a 27-19 loss to the Broncos.
Morgan Burnett, Packers, safety: Nine tackles in a 33-32 loss to the Falcons.
Adam Gotsis, Broncos, DT: One tackle in a 27-19 win over the Chargers.
Michael Johnson, Bengals, DE/OLB: One tackle in a 27-27 tie with the Redskins.
Shaq Mason, Patriots, OL: Started in a 41-25 win over the Bills.
Daryl Smith, Bucs, LB: Three tackles in a 30-24 loss to the Raiders.
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos, WR: Five receptions for 79 yards in a 27-19 win over the Chargers.
Darren Waller, Ravens, WR: No stats in a 24-16 loss to the Jets.
Philip Wheeler, Falcons, LB: No tackles in a 33-32 win over the Packers.
D.J. White, Chiefs, CB: No tackles in a 30-14 win over the Colts.

Basketball rebounds

Things went as expected for Georgia Tech at Operation ACC last week in Charlotte. By the way, Charlotte used to refer its downtown as uptown because down has a negative connotation. It’s one of the dumber things I think I’ve ever heard.

Anyway, on to what happened at the media scrum:

First, the league's coaches showed no verbal mercy toward the Yellow Jackets.

Neither did those who vote in the preseason poll. Surprisingly, Tech wasn't picked to finish last.

The Yellow Jackets will be without point guard Josh Heath for the first four games because of the dreaded violation of team rules.

Recruiting Rewind

Here's another reason that recruiting is an exercise in futility: Nebraska commit Robert Porcher may visit Georgia Tech. He also visited Michigan. But he's committed to the Cornhuskers.

On this I agree with Johnson: if a kid is ready to commit, let him sign. Otherwise, the word commit in recruiting is about as useful as like in a teenager’s vocabulary: overused and unnecessary.

So why isn't there an early signing period? Here are some theories why.

Rome's Jamarcus Chatman visited Tech on Saturday for the game against Duke.

Josh Pastner's recruiting continued with an offer made to Elijah Weaver, a point guard from Florida.

Jaytlin Askew is excited about enrolling early at Tech. Frankly, I'm not sure why more athletes don't pursue this opportunity. It's a chance to get used to the academic load. It's a chance to get used to the campus. It's a chance to get used to the rhythms of the team. It's a chance to meet Ken and me!