Georgia Tech Football: A Look Ahead

On Monday we took a look at how the first half of the Yellow Jackets' season had transpired. 

After a 6-0 start, the Jacket faithful are becoming more and more excited about the prospects of what this season may hold for the future, and are eagerly looking forward to the rest of the 2011 College Football season. 

Now we are going to take a moment to look ahead and preview what is coming for the Jackets in the rest of their 2011 campaign. I firmly believe in taking things one game at a time, so we won't be throwing out any predictions just yet. Enjoy!

Week 7 brings about memories that many GT fans would much rather forget. 

Before the 2009 campaign, Georgia Tech Football had not won a game in Charlottesville since 1990, causing many fans to dub the team's struggles there as the "C-Ville Curse."  Fortunately, Paul Johnson was able to ease some of those memories after posting wins against UVA in both 2009 and 2010. 

The Cavs present an interesting challenge for the Jackets in Week 7, as they come off their bye week and currently sit with a 3-2 overall record. However, some of their wins (specifically against Idaho and Indiana) haven't been very convincing. The Cavs bring in a balanced offensive attack and a very talented defense, which is now running the 4-3 since Al Groh's departure.

If there is any game, other than the one at UVA, that GT fans have been labeling as a dreaded "trap" game, it is this one against Miami. 

After throttling the Hurricanes in 2008 and completing a 4-0 stretch against them in as many years, Miami has come back and dominated the Jackets the previous two seasons, perhaps handing them their two worst losses statistically in the past three years. 

While this year's version of the 'Canes doesn't look as good as perhaps the previous two seasons, they fall in the schedule at perhaps the most inopportune time, as the Jackets will be facing Clemson in the week after this match.

Expect this to be a very physical game, as the 'Canes defense is much better than they statistically look, and also because of Jacory Harris' sudden composure in big game situations.

Week 9 provides football fans with a gem of a game.  In what could very well be a preview of the ACC Championship Game, the potentially undefeated Clemson Tigers will be coming to Atlanta to face a potentially undefeated Georgia Tech team that will be geared up for their homecoming game. 

The atmosphere surrounding this game is already being hyped, as the game is being mentioned in multiple circles for a potential College Gameday stop.  After reeling off three straight victories over then-ranked opponents, the Tigers from Death Valley present perhaps the biggest challenge of the season for the Jackets, as this matchup could very well be between two top-ten teams. 

The explosive offense of the Tigers, led by sophomore QB Tajh Boyd and freshman wide receiver sensation Sammy Watkins, is the best offense that the Jackets will face this season.

After a Week 10 bye, the Jackets enter Week 11 with the pivotal Thursday night matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies. 

Many Jackets fans are already remembering the last time the Hokies came to Atlanta for a Thursday night game, when they sported a top-five ranking and were the main challenger left on the Jackets' path to the ACC Championship Game. 

We all can remember the outcome, as the Jackets defeated the Hokies en route to the 2009 ACC Championship.  Even fresher in the minds of Jackets' fans is the fated game in 2010 in Blacksburgh in which the Jackets' season truly came crashing down. Senior QB Josh Nesbitt broke his arm, ending any hopes of a successful 2010 season. 

This year's matchup could once again determine who wins the ACC Coastal, as both teams will be in the thick of the race. 

The Jackets' last road game of the season will also be the final ACC matchup of the regular season, as the Jackets will travel to Durham to face the Blue Devils. 

The young season has been full of mixed results for the Blue Devils. They started the season with a heart-breaking loss to FCS foe Richmond but have since gone on a three-game winning streak, including a victory over ACC opponent Boston College. 

The Blue Devils will bring an experienced offense into the game, with Sean Renfree leading their up-tempo offense. The importance and meaning of this game will quickly be determined, as both teams will soon get into the heart of their conference schedule.

As always, the Week 13 matchup on the Saturday after Thanksgiving will pit in-state rivals UGA and GT in a potential top-25 matchup. 

After starting with a rough stretch early on against Boise State and South Carolina, UGA has since rebounded, rattling off four straight victories and improving their conference record to 3-1. 

The battle for state supremacy may be fiercer than ever, as both teams will be desperate for a victory. The Jackets have an opportunity to have their first senior class in almost ten years graduate with a .500 record against the Bulldogs, and they have the opportunity to end a two game winning streak for UGA in the series. 

Both teams will field explosive offenses in this game, and both will field defenses which have greatly improved since last year.  Keep an eye on the coaching matchup between Paul Johnson and Mark Richt; last year, CPJ clearly outcoached the embattled Mark Richt even in a loss.

Well, there is your quick glimpse into the future of Georgia Tech football. 

It will be an exciting end to the season, as the Jackets may face three ranked opponents in their last four matchups.  Expect more fireworks, and a lot more fun as the season races towards the finish.