Jackets look to avenge loss

ATLANTA - Determined to avoid another in a troubling series of letdowns in recent years, No. 17 Georgia Tech has more reason than ever to make sure it places a proper focus on today's visit from North Carolina.

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Georgia Tech moved into the Top 25 on the strength of its 23-14 win at then-No. 16 Auburn last week, ending the Tigers' 15-game winning streak. The Yellow Jackets' celebration after the game was low key, in part because too often they haven't been able to build on other recent big wins.

"We have won big ballgames around here before, so it's not like we don't win big ballgames," said coach Chan Gailey.

Beginning his fourth season as coach, Gailey has five wins over ranked teams. But Georgia Tech has suffered losses after three of the first four wins over ranked teams.

Last year, it took a big win at No. 18 Clemson before losing at North Carolina, 34-13.

"The key for us is to go out and be consistent," Gailey said. "That's something we've got to do a better job of."

Added Gailey: "I think the seniors have experienced enough of that to want to make that go away. I believe that will be the case."

This is an important game for the Yellow Jackets in the first year of divisional play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This will be their only home game against a Coastal Division opponent in the ACC's new schedule.

"Thanks for reminding me," Gailey said.

The Yellow Jackets' other Coastal Division games will come on the road against Virginia Tech, Duke, Miami and Virginia. Tech's only other home conference games are against teams from the Atlantic Division - North Carolina State, Clemson and Wake Forest.

Asked if he had opinions about his schedule, Gailey said "Yeah, I do, but they're not for (the) public."

This is the ACC opener for Georgia Tech (1-0) and the season opener for North Carolina.

While there has been a great emphasis on not looking back at the win over Auburn this week, Henderson says he doesn't think the players were celebrating the win over Clemson when preparing for North Carolina last year.

"I don't think there was any hangover," he said. "I just give those guys credit for having a great game plan last year and being able to capitalize on our mistakes."