Georgia Tech Football

Of the 10 undefeated teams remaining in college football, Georgia Tech may be the one most under the radar. 

During a wacky Week 6 in which five of the AP poll's Top Eight teams lost in the same weekend, Georgia Tech quietly put away Miami 28-17 to advance to 5-0, Tech's first win against the Hurricanes since 2008. It was, give or take, the 947th most exciting thing to happen that weekend. 

Put another way, it was somewhere between Katy Perry using corndogs as props on College GameDay but just above Purdue beating Illinois 38-27. 

Thus, the Yellow Jackets' win barely moved the meter. Georgia Tech finally cracked the Associated Press and coaches' Top 25, but it came in at No. 22 and No. 23, respectively. 

There's some legitimate rationale for that: Georgia Tech's non-conference schedule was especially soft and included a narrow escape over Georgia Southern. 

But all the same, Georgia Tech is 2-0 in the ACC and the only undefeated team in the conference besides Florida State. The Jackets are a 3-point favorite in an important divisional game against Duke this Saturday, per Odds Shark. Barring a collapse, Georgia Tech could be favored in every remaining game leading into the last two weeks of the season against Clemson and Georgia. 

How did Georgia Tech get to this point? 

The Leader

If there's a compelling hook to this whole undefeated story, it's head coach Paul Johnson. Recall that in January, Bruce Feldman, then of CBSSports.com, tweeted that Johnson was unhappy with the school and was hoping for a buyout. 

Feldman is one of the most reliable reporters out there, but Johnson quickly denied the report and the original tweet was deleted. 

"I've been here going on seven years. My family lives here," said Johnson in an April interview with Jeremy Fowler of CBSSports.com. "I've had several opportunities to leave here in the last seven years."

So while it was much ado about nothing, it nevertheless came at an interesting time. Earlier that week, starting quarterback Vad Lee announced he was transferring. Lee told ESPN's Joe Schad: "The triple-option was never really my thing." 

Georgia Tech was also coming off a 7-6 record, losing three of its last four games. Johnson hadn't led the Yellow Jackets to more than eight wins in a season since 2009 when his team won the ACC and appeared in the Orange Bowl. 

Johnson has turned the ship around, however, and extinguished any hot seat chatter going on before the season.

The Offense

The triple-option is what made Johnson famous at Georgia Southern and Navy. Though he brought in a completely new style to Georgia Tech, he had immediate success with the athletes on his roster.

The combination of quarterback Joshua Nesbitt, running back Jonathan Dwyer and receiver Demaryius Thomas helped the 2009 Yellow Jackets finish in the top 15 nationally in points scored per game, according to cfbstats.com. 

Even without that talented cast, Johnson has shown that his teams can score points with a consistency matched by few others. 

Since 2011, Johnson's offense has been almost identical on a yearly basis. In '11, Georgia Tech's offense scored 34.3 points per game. That number went down to 33.6 in '12 but rose to 35.1 in 2013. Through five games this season, Tech is averaging 34.6 points per game.

That's a difference, through about three-and-a-half years, of 1.5 points per game. To achieve that level of consistency with the constant turnover in college football is impressive. 

The triple-option can be tough to stop, especially when an opponent has one week to prepare. It requires incredible discipline from everyone on defense. It's not so much about someone being a hero as it is about everyone knowing their assignment.

Still, Tech is going to get its points. The magic number to beat Georgia Tech is 30. Johnson has only won about 33 percent of his games at Tech when opponents score at least 30 points. 

Basically, if you want to beat Georgia Tech, you'll probably have to do it in a shootout. 

The Stars 

The quarterback is a focal point of the triple-option, so the attention will naturally be on redshirt sophomore Justin Thomas. 

Through six weeks, Thomas has been an ideal playmaker in Johnson's offense. He leads the team with 470 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, while averaging six yards a carry. But Thomas is more than another effective runner at quarterback. He's also passing the ball well enough to give the team a semblance of balance. 

Two quarterbacks have thrown for 11 touchdowns in a season at Tech under Johnson: Tevin Washington in 2011 and Lee in '13. Thomas is already up to seven passing touchdowns to just one interception.

Passing is obviously not a huge part of Georgia Tech's offense, but run-based teams still need to pass effectively in the few instances they do air it out. Thomas gives Tech that passing threat, as Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com points out: 

As for the offense, Thomas has been an upgrade over Vad Lee. Thomas ranks No. 3 in the ACC in rushing, and Georgia Tech has gone from No. 9 in the ACC in pass efficiency to No. 2 because Thomas is better throwing the football. 

For not focusing on the pass, Tech has been known for a recent list of big-bodied wideouts, from Thomas to Stephen Hill. DeAndre Smelter has filled in that role with 35 receptions for 684 yards and eight touchdowns over the past year-and-a-half. 

Then there's senior B-back Zach Laskey, who's been as reliable a ball-carrier as the Yellow Jackets have had in recent years. A bruising back, Laskey has 1,631 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his career. 

It's a one-two-three punch that resembles the '09 team and the star power it had on offense. 

If the '09 team is to be used as any comparison, Georgia Tech could be on its way to great things again this season. Eventually, the country will take notice. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. 

Myles Autry will be taking his football talents to the Hornets after he officially committed to Georgia Tech.

ESPN reported the news on Wednesday:

Autry is an intriguing prospect because he's a jack of all trades. Listed as a 3-star recruit on 247Sports' composite rankings, he is labeled an athlete, which is the term given to players who either look to have no real position or excel at multiple areas on the field. 

Autry seems to be the former.

The product of Norcross High School projects as either a running back or wide receiver, depending on his team's offensive style. He even played cornerback during his sophomore year, so there's a slim chance he could move to defense when he begins his college ball.

You wouldn't consider Autry an elite recruit at any of those three positions. Should he stay on offense, he could be one of those 'tweeners who splits his time in the backfield and at wideout.

It's difficult to pin down right now where he should spend the majority of his time. His lack of power combined with his great hands suggests he would be best used as a wide receiver. But he's adept at getting to the edge quickly, and the more touches he can get, the better.

Size could be an issue for Autry initially. He's listed at 5'9" and 175 pounds. While he has a little more strength than one might expect, he could stand to add a little more bulk. His speed isn't to the kind of level where his diminutive stature plays to his benefit.

While he lacks elite speed, Autry is an elusive ball-carrier, especially in the open field. His ability to make quick cuts is impressive.

He's the kind of runner who can make those short, quick bursts to get separation from a defender, but more often than not, he'll get caught from behind.

All the pieces are there for him to become a major game-breaker at the next level. Georgia Tech just needs to figure out the best way to use Autry's talents.

It's one and done for Vad Lee. After what was his first season as Georgia Tech's starting quarterback, the sophomore reportedly plans to transfer.

According to Ken Sugiura of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

After one season as a starter, Georgia Tech quarterback will transfer, according to a person close to the team who is familiar with Lee’s decision.

Lee, a redshirt sophomore, will have two years of eligibility remaining. Tech completed its season Monday at the Music City Bowl, where the Yellow Jackets lost 25-17 to Ole Miss. Rivals website first reported Lee’s planning to transfer earlier Thursday.

Updates from Friday, Jan. 3

Georgia Tech made things official via the team's website, stating that "As widely reported Thursday evening, Georgia Tech sophomore quarterback Vad Lee will transfer to another school, head coach Paul Johnson confirmed."

The statement also supplied Lee's thoughts:

"Making the decision to leave Georgia Tech was difficult for me. I am very close -- and will continue to be close -- with my teammates. I will also miss the overwhelming support I received the last three years from Yellow Jacket nation.

"I greatly appreciate the opportunity Coach Johnson gave me, as well the chance to work with coaches like Brian Bohannon and Bryan Cook. Thanks as well to (recruiting coordinator) Andy McCollum, who helped recruit me to Tech.

"My decision was also difficult because I know first-hand the talent coming back next season. I just felt that it is a good time for me to get a fresh start for my final two years of college."

And Johnson's:

"Vad is a young man with high character and I appreciate all the work that he put into our program and to Georgia Tech during his three years here. This is a decision made by Vad and his family, and while you don't like losing talented players, I wish nothing but the best for Vad in the future." 

The ACC's Coastal Division was a mess last year, and it looks like it might be again this year.

The “defending champion” Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets figure to be in the mix once again, as do the Virginia Tech Hokies.

In a key Atlantic Coast Conference contest, the 3-0 Jackets and 3-1 Hokies meet up Thursday night in Atlanta with the Jackets installed as 7.5-point favorites over the Hokies, according to OddsShark.com. The over-under number was 42 but had climbed to 43.5 as of Wednesday.

Georgia Tech, which was granted the Coastal Division's berth in the ACC championship game last year because Miami and North Carolina were both serving postseason bans, opened this season with a 70-0 romp over FCS Elon, then opened ACC play with a 38-14 victory over Duke.

The Yellow Jackets covered as 45-point favorites over the Phoenix and as nine-point faves over the Blue Devils.

Last week the Ramblin' Wreck rallied from down 20-7 to knock off North Carolina 28-20, covering a 6.5-point chalk.

Virginia Tech, which had won the Coastal Division five of the previous seven seasons but went 4-4 in conference play last year, began this year by getting drubbed by Alabama 35-10, failing to cover as 21-point underdogs.

The Hokies then beat Western Carolina 45-3, pushing the spread at -42, and won at East Carolina 15-10 but missed the cover at -8.

Last week, Virginia Tech needed a minor miracle, a tipped-pass touchdown on fourth down with three minutes to go, just to tie the game against Marshall.

Then in the third OT, Hokies QB Logan Thomas scored from two yards out and ran in for the two-point conversion, after which the defense held the Herd for a 29-21 Virginia Tech victory.

However, the Hokies failed to cover the spread as favorites of 8.5 points. So while Georgia Tech is 3-0 ATS on the season, Virginia Tech is 0-3-1 vs. the numbers.

Virginia Tech has won five of the last six games in this series, but because most of those games have been close, the Jackets are 4-2 ATS in that span. Last year, on opening 7 in Blacksburg, the Hokies won 20-17 in overtime, but the Wreck picked up the cover as seven-point underdogs.

ESPN has the coverage of this matchup from Bobby Dodd Stadium on Thursday night, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Computer Prediction: 34-20 Georgia Tech (from OddsShark.com picks computer)

Four weeks into the 2013 college football season, most headlines coming out the of ACC highlight Clemson's quest for a national title or the incredible play of Florida State freshman phenom Jameis Winston.

Miami's early triumphs have caught the eyes of fans across the country, and rightfully so, but another Coastal Division contender has also made strides worth acknowledging.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have kicked off the season with three straight wins, including two victories within the division. They opened the year with a 70-0 Week 1 blowout over Elon before defeating Duke on the road and picking up an impressive home win over North Carolina.

Not too shabby for a team that was predicted to finish fourth in the Coastal.

Vad Lee has proven to be an overall upgrade at the quarterback position, displaying his ability to hurt opponents both on the ground and through the air. Despite some first-quarter struggles against the Tar Heels, Lee helped rally the Jackets in a 21-point swing and currently holds the third-highest passer rating in the conference (minimum of 20 attempts). Having thrown for seven scores this year, he is already just one away from tying the 2012 season total of last year's starter, Tevin Washington.

The offensive backfield has also received valuable production from B-Back David Sims and A-Back Robert Godhigh. The two runners have combined for 385 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Sims has found the end zone three times. Lee has also been a key to the running game, accumulating nearly 200 yards so far this year.

Defensively, Georgia Tech has only allowed 11.3 points per game. Shutouts against FCS opponents help make that stat a bit more attractive in a small sample size, but with two ACC games out of the way and Alabama A&M still remaining on the schedule, this group will likely keep that number low throughout the year.

Standing in the Yellow Jackets' way of an undefeated record through September are the Virginia Tech Hokies, who will travel to Atlanta for a nationally televised showdown on Thursday night. From there, the only real challenges Paul Johnson's team will face come on Oct. 5 at Miami and Nov. 14 at Clemson.

Through four games, Virginia Tech appears to have one of the best defenses in the country, but shaky quarterback play makes the Hokies a beatable team. If Georgia Tech can escape Week 5 with a 4-0 record, the Ramblin' Wreck will be in the race for the division through November.  

Even with a loss this week, a split with Miami and Clemson could be enough to keep them alive in the Coastal, especially considering they played for an ACC championship last year with only a 5-3 record in conference. It's also important to keep in mind that Johnson's squad knocked off an undefeated Clemson team just two years ago late in the season.

Thursday's showdown is crucial, but if Tech extends this winning streak, look for the Yellow Jackets to have their own share of ACC storylines.

With the 2013 college football season rapidly approaching, fans are craving any and every taste of what is to come in what should be an invigorating year. As we inch closer to the action kicking off on Aug. 29, I'll release a schedule analysis for a new ACC school every other day. For now, let's take a look at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Outlook

Aug. 31 - Elon

Sept. 14 - at Duke

Sept. 21 - North Carolina

Sept. 26 - Virginia Tech

Oct. 5 - at Miami

Oct. 12- at Brigham Young

Oct. 19 - Syracuse

Oct. 26 - at Virginia

Nov. 2 - Pittsburgh

Nov. 14 - at Clemson

Nov. 23 - Alabama A&M

Nov. 30 - Georgia

Schedule obtained from the official website of Georgia Tech athletics.

Georgia Tech took an unconventional route to the ACC title game last year, finishing third in the Coastal but being named division champions because of the postseason bans at North Carolina and Miami.

This year, the Yellow Jackets return the talent necessary to make it back to the conference championship game again in December, but a brutal slate stands their way.

Unfortunately for the Jackets, their bye week comes during Week 2 before a trip to Durham to face the Duke Blue Devils.  They then face North Carolina at home with the Tar Heels coming off a bye week of their own and just five days before Virginia Tech will be heading down to Atlanta for a Thursday night game.

Road games at Miami, BYU and Clemson will be true tests for head coach Paul Johnson's group, and the regular season wraps up in a meeting with the Aaron Murray-led Georgia Bulldogs.

If Tech can overcome its rigorous schedule and claim the division for the second straight year, it definitely will have been earned.

Best-Case Scenario

With the majority of the offense returning, Johnson's big-play, triple-option offense gets off to a quick start with loads of yards and few turnovers.  After serving a part-time role at quarterback last season, Vad Lee's dual-threat ability and strong arm make him an upgrade from Tevin Washington, and he establishes a connection with wide receiver Darren Waller that will stretch the field and aggravate defenses all year.

As a result of safeties committing to pass coverage, Robert Godhigh builds off his 7.9 yards-per-carry average from 2012 and is a threat to defenses as a runner and a pass-catcher.  David Sims and Zach Laskey also shine as running backs, and Johnson finds his best offense since taking the Tech job in December of 2007.

In their first full season without Al-Groh's 3-4 defense, the Jackets play consistent throughout 2013.  Jeremiah Attaochu stars as a pass-rushing defensive end, racking up double-digit sacks and leading a more aggressive defense.  Cornerbacks Jemea Thomas and Louis Young excel in the secondary, and defensive coordinator Ted Roof's unit shows significant improvement from last year.

The Yellow Jackets sting their way through the division, winning the Coastal and finishing the season 10-2.

Worst-Case Scenario

Lee has a better arm than Washington, but the latter's leadership is desperately missed, and no one fills his shoes.  Waller's inconsistency prevents any threat of a passing game, and Georgia Tech is a one-dimensional offense.

The increase in blitzing out of the 4-3 bothers teams like Elon and Syracuse, but North Carolina, Miami and Clemson exploit its vulnerability.  Virginia Tech and BYU are also able to steal wins from the Yellow Jackets, and conversation going into the Georgia game is less about the rivalry and more about whether or not Johnson will keep his job.

After getting thrashed by the Bulldogs, Tech enters the bowl season hoping to finish with a winning record after a disappointing .500 regular season.

Bottom Line

Georgia Tech was not the best team in the Coastal last year, but it still got to represent the division in the championship game.  Ironically, the Jackets might be the best team in the division this year and still fall short of the conference title game because of a painfully tough schedule.

Not only are the Yellow Jackets competing against three other true contenders in their division, but they also have to face traditional crossover opponent Clemson, the most talented team in the ACC.  Combine that with nonconference matchups with BYU and Georgia, and that doesn't bode well for the team's chances at double-digit wins.

If Tech can win at least two games out of a three-game stretch against North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Miami, expect the team to enter November with a shot at the division.  However, if the Jackets win no more than one of those or somehow stumble against Pitt or Virginia, then don't bet on them to be playing in Charlotte on Dec. 7.

Also check out:

Schedule analysis for Virginia Tech

Schedule analysis for North Carolina

Schedule analysis for Duke

Schedule analysis for Pitt

Schedule analysis for Virginia

Schedule analysis for Clemson

Schedule analysis for Florida State

Schedule analysis for Boston College

Schedule analysis for Wake Forest

Schedule analysis for NC State

Schedule analysis for Maryland

Schedule analysis for Syracuse

Follow me on Twitter at @MarkCCarroll

Even though his father played football at the University of Georgia and his older brother plays baseball for the Bulldogs, 2015 offensive tackle recruit Will Bryan recently committed to Georgia's arch-rival, Georgia Tech, according to Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Bryan's father, Mac Bryan, played offensive guard for Georgia during the 1983-84 seasons. Bryan's older brother, Justin Bryan, is a junior outfielder for the Georgia baseball team.

This wasn't an easy decision, and Bryan said he did strongly consider keeping the family tradition alive. However, he decided that becoming a Yellow Jacket was the best option for him, per the report.

Obviously, I definitely wanted to play there because my dad played there. I wanted to be a Bulldog. But as I’ve gotten older, I thought more about what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of education I wanted to get and where I wanted to go. And I decided that Georgia Tech was where I wanted to go.

The decision was sure to get a rise out of his father and brother, as Justin was chanting “Go Dawgs” and barking in the background when a reporter asked them about the decision, according to the report. And although Mac Bryan did feel a little awkward having to support Georgia Tech, he handled it quite well.

I’ve got to admit it was interesting putting on a Georgia Tech hat for the first time. When my son told me he was going to commit there, I went and bought me a hat because I’m going to support him 100 percent.

I’m a Georgia baseball fan, but when my other son is playing football for Georgia Tech, I’m going to be a Yellow Jacket fan. I mean, he’s my son. We’re excited for him. He’s a smart kid. Georgia Tech is just a good fit for him. He fits their offense very well.

As for the sibling rivalry, Will doesn't think his decision will have much of an impact on his brother, per the report.

He’s proud of me. He supports me in every way. He is my brother, and he loves me. He’s playing baseball, and I’m playing football, so it’s not really a rivalry. We’re still family. It’s not that big of a deal. My dad even said, 'It’s not a house divided, it’s a house united.' It’s two different colleges.

There is a great deal of work that needs to be done to overturn the rivalry on the gridiron, as Georgia has won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including four straight victories.

Bryan told Carvell that his decision is final and that his recruiting process is finished.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

On Thursday, Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on his talks with Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson about recruiting. Johnson, a guy who has seen recruits pull out at the last minute, like most schools, was very candid about his feelings on high school coaches, other collegiate coaches, the recruits and the like.

Now, for anyone who has followed Johnson and his unique recruiting philosophies, this should come as no surprise. He does not permit his commits to take visits elsewhere. He wants an early signing period as a means of protecting himself. He wants high school coaches to turn away college coaches inquiring about his commits.

He wants recruiting by Paul Johnson, for Paul Johnson.

This is less about Johnson and more speaking to a point that we made closer to national signing day here at Your Best 11. The player is the one who has the power. As coaches realize it more and more, they can either make it work for them or against them.

In the case of Johnson, instead of adjusting to the market, he has decided to try to create his own market.

It sounds nice. The idea of getting players who are fully committed to Georgia Tech and have no desire to reach higher or go elsewhere makes them the ideal recruits. Unfortunately, given the nature of today's college football recruiting landscape, those players are either not good enough to win you a title or do not exist. At least, not enough of them exist.

Watching the transition has been increasingly interesting, as the light has come on for more players now than ever. They are the reason why coaches make the big bucks. They are the guys who put themselves out there to take the hits on Saturdays. They are the ones who the coach is practically begging to get on campus to help him keep his job.

As more players realize this dynamic, recruiting has been turned on its ear. No longer are the coaches the power players, looking to force kids into commitments, scare them into staying committed, all the while looking for another, better player to put on the roster. 

It has gone from a "you're lucky that you're getting recruited" to a "you're lucky that I committed" feel on the big-time college football landscape. Coaches are the salesmen, hoping to entice players to pick their product over the competitors'. If it takes dancing a jig, then that's exactly what they will do.

Some folks, like Sporting News' Matt Hayes, do not like the idea of players controlling recruiting. The idea that the guy who puts his body on the line and has his future to think about being in charge of picking where he ends up, and how he is courted in the process, makes them ill. 

Heaven forbid that the 17-year-old who is suiting up to help Coach X add another zero to his paycheck gains some ground in this mess. Heaven forbid that these coaches have to get out on the track and do a little shake to get these kids. Heaven forbid that the coaches banking dollars have to go out and do their job.

But perhaps the coaches should be in charge. After all, they are the ones giving these kids scholarship offers. It is not like the kid earned that offer. It is not like the coach needs those kids to win ballgames. It is not like the player should have a choice in how this process is handled.

It is not like the player is the most important part of the process, right?