Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Football Season Preview

Paul Johnson enters his fourth year with the Yellow Jackets and he already has a BCS bowl appearance and an ACC Championship at his disposal. He started out red-scorching-hot going 20-7 (13-4 ACC), which included massive wins over Florida State twice, Miami and Virginia Tech.

They are coming off a disappointing 6-7 season that ended in an Independence Bowl loss to Air Force of all teams.

Josh Nesbitt was the former starting quarterback before he broke his forearm against Virginia Tech and with four games remaining, Tech had no choice but to start Tevin Washington.

He threw for 417 yards as the replacement (41 percent, two TDs and three INTs) and he rushed for 514 yards. While most expect Tevin to be named the starter, there is a decent chance that redshirt freshman Synjyn Days will be named the Opening Day starter against Western Carolina. Washington is coming off an injured MCL he suffered in the bowl loss, but has an edge in experience, awareness and avoiding mental lapses. 

Days may be a complete unknown to the landscape of college football, but he is a solid athlete that can run the ball and the triple option well. He has a slew of backs who are ready to tote the rock with him as well. Anthony Allen and Lucas Cox are gone, but returning are Roddy Jones, Embry Peeples and Orwin Smith.

The line returns three starters which should help the second-rated rushing offense in the nation. Averaging 295 yards is tremendous but for a run-oriented offense, it could be better, at least against the tough competition.

In their seven losses last year, they managed to average 263 yards per game but the passing offense was abysmal. They only threaded the needle 168 times all season completing only 38 percent of their passes. In 2009, they ranked 116th in passing offense (126 YPG) and ranked 119th last year (83).

They ranked 26th and 36th in total offense the previous two seasons, thanks in large part to Johnson’s high-powered running game. 

Calvin Johnson was not missed a whole lot after he left in 2007 because GT went 20-7, but missing Demaryius Thomas hurt the team quite a bit as Stephen Hill could not handle the pressure of being the top target (15 catches for 291 yards, three touchdowns and 19.4 yards per catch).

Orwin Smith was next in order and he did not do much better (12 catches, 195 yards, zero touchdowns). They have some decent talent, but need their starting quarterback (whoever it is) and entire backfield (Jones, Smith, Peeples and Perkins) to stay healthy and be able to hit the home run a few more times.

The line as usual is productive but not spectacular. Omoregie Uzzi is a solid 6’3”, 300-pound blocker that is a cut-blocking, guard-pulling freak. He has great feet and hits like a ton of bricks.

Will Jackson is the other guard and he too is very talented. Both of these guards should at least make All-ACC honorable mention. Phil Smith at right tackle is the only other returning starter and despite having a new center and left tackle, they should be just fine early on in the season.

The secondary is fairly green (brand new), however there is some excitement from the coaches. Redshirt freshman Ryan Ayers and sophomore Louis Young have some upside at corner because they are both so young and gifted.

Up front they were just 78th, allowing 169 rushing yards per game. All three linemen return: Izaan Cross, Logan Walls and Jason Peters. Steven Sylvester is expected to wreak some havoc in the backfield and at times carry this defense.

Ranking just 64th in total defense allowing 371 yards per game is something former Virginia head coach and current second-year man Al Groh will look to improve upon. Stringing together a few crucial wins in ACC play will bring in more top-notch recruits.

They open up against Western Carolina, Middle Tennessee and Kansas. Then they host a tough Tar Heels team before they travel to Raleigh against NC State. Their final four home games will determine if they even go bowling for the 15th straight season.

At home they host Maryland, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia in their annual rivalry game. One win out of those four should continue that streak, but there is a great chance that every game outside of the one against the ‘Terps will be against ranked opponents.

Predicted Finish: 7-6, 3-5

Predicted Bowl: Military Bowl  

Predicted Order of Finish in ACC: Fifth in Coastal, seventh overall