5 things to know about Georgia Tech at the TaxSlayer Bowl

Georgia Tech warming up before practice at Fernandina Beach (Fla.) High School on Tuesday. (AJC photo by Ken Sugiura)

Georgia Tech warming up before practice at Fernandina Beach (Fla.) High School on Tuesday. (AJC photo by Ken Sugiura)

1. I hope you'll read this story about how new athletic director Todd Stansbury and coach Paul Johnson view each other and their relationship, and in particular how Stansbury is eager to help Johnson with initiatives in facilities and recruiting operations. I think Johnson is quite hopeful about their partnership going forward.

2. What will Georgia Tech wear to its New Year's Eve gathering? Gold.

3. Just a first-year freshman, the future for Tech offensive guard Parker Braun is bright. One particular stat kept by Tech coaches would indicate as much.

4. Looking for where to get a bite in Jacksonville? Eat where the Yellow Jackets who call Jacksonville home eat. But probably not at cornerback Lamont Simmons' godmother's house.

5. Tech players spent their Thursday afternoon aboard a warship. This is what it looked like.

Tech fans in Jacksonville can attend a pep rally Friday at the Jacksonville Landing at 3:30 p.m., which will be followed by three other band performances and the Kentucky pep rally at 6 p.m. The city’s annual light boat parade down the St. Johns River through downtown starts at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.