The wave of sporting event cancellations and postponements in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States claimed Saturday's much-anticipated football game between Georgia Tech and Florida State.

But it won't affect Florida-Tennessee, Georgia-Houston, South Carolina-Bowling Green or any of the other SEC contests scheduled for Saturday.

The SEC opted against postponing this weekend's football schedule, while the ACC chose the alternative.

Both of them did exactly the right thing.

The SEC released a statement saying it ''believes these events present a meaningful opportunity to bring our people together in a common expression of sympathy and mourning.'' It will hold ceremonies before each game and donate $1 million from gate receipts and television fees to assist the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

The ACC, however, postponed its entire weekend slate, including the conference game of the year between the Yellow Jackets and Seminoles in Tallahassee, Fla.

''This is a time for sober reflection by all Americans - a time to respect the loss of lives, those injured and their families and friends,'' Florida State President Sandy D'Alemberte said in a statement. ''While we continue business as usual in the academic sense, we are postponing or canceling extracurricular activities of a social or celebratory nature.''

There is no right or wrong way to deal with Tuesday's brutality. When it comes to handling tragedy, there is no handbook. Every individual is guided by a different compass. Some jump back into normalcy. Others pause for reflection.

Baseball is taking at least three days off, while the NFL hasn't decided whether Sunday is too soon to put its players on cross-country flights.

The PGA Tour and World Golf Championship canceled four events, while the LPGA is still planning to play in Oregon.

The high schools in Georgia and South Carolina will go on with their Friday night football plans as scheduled. School leaders in each state think it would be in their students' best interests.

''The sooner we can return to a normal way of life, the better off we are,'' said Ronnie Matthews, executive director of the South Carolina High School League.

Sports, indeed, have a unifying spirit even if the action on the field seems brutal and divisive. At its best, games bring us together in the spirit of sportsmanship.

But to some, the games seem too frivolous and jovial so soon after the darkest day in the nation's history. The SEC and ACC both said their members were unanimous in separate decisions.

But when it comes to this type of situation, there is no such thing as unanimity. Florida's Steve Spurrier said football didn't seem too important right now, while Georgia's Mark Richt says it's best to go about business rather than sit in a room in fear.

Georgia Tech athletics director Dave Braine said he and the players were disappointed that the most anticipated game in years won't be played Saturday, but accepted that the situation ''is bigger than any one ballgame.''

If any of us were Commissioner of Sports, what would we do?

Personally, I'd declare this weekend a unified moment of silence, when sports would take a break to let us all deal with our grief, anger and pain in our own way. We could gather with neighbors and friends, and vow not to take each other or our freedoms for granted.

But silent reflection isn't for everyone. Saturday's options prove that terrorists can't touch our most basic freedom - choice.

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219.