2012-13 Football Previews – Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Tech head coach Paul Johnson – quirky option offense and all – knows how to bring a scrappy team to the yard. In his first season wearing the headset in 2007 – with predominately underclassman players on the roster – Johnson guided the Jackets to a 9-3 record, and they haven’t looked back.
This season, Georgia Tech once again has a competitive team that has the assets to contend with North Carolina or Virginia Tech in the ACC Coastal division. The Jackets will have to deal with a tricky schedule, but it’s always a ton of planning for opposing defenses when they face Tech’s triple option; especially because the offense seems to be slowly developing a more comprehensive passing attack in recent seasons.
ACC 2012-13 Football Previews: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Coach: Paul Johnson
2011 Record: 8-5
Georgia Tech Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS:
Even though most people don’t associate Georgia Tech with passing, it’s easy to forget that successful pro WRs Calvin Johnson and, more recently, Demaryius Thomas have gone through Atlanta. Although don’t be confused for a second: Coach Johnson and the Yellow Jackets hang their hat on the run game. Tech’s multi-look option offense will be powered by QB Tevin Washington, and RBs David Sims, Orwin Smith and B.J. Bostic. Look for back-up RB Charles Perkins and second-string pivot Synjyn Days to also get some looks. The efforts will be underscored by Tech’s offensive line, which is the best Johnson has had in his tenure. Junior LG Will Jackson is outstanding, and RG Omoregi Uzzi, C Jay Finch and LT Ray Beno are all well-suited to the scheme.
On “D”, Tech has some of its usual versatile athletes, but perhaps the best of the bunch is junior CB Louis Young. He has been flying under the radar, but perhaps not for long, as he has all the tools to play DB at the next level. Linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, DE Izaan Cross and safety Isaiah Johnson should also stand out on defense. Also, look for a big spike in production from sophomore LB Quayshawn Nealy, who registered 52 tackles in ’11 and should start at Will ’backer. Tech always seems to have a couple defenders every year that have a nice blend of size and speed, and project well for pro football.
The special teams duties will be handled by junior K Justin Moore and junior P Sean Poole, both returning starters. The Jackets should improve in special teams productivity, with the addition of special teams coach David Walkosky.
2012-13 Georgia Tech Football Prediction: 9-4
Head coach Johnson has a fantastic track record at Georgia Southern and Navy, and he produced a winning ball-club in Atlanta as soon as he arrived five seasons ago, even though Tech at the time had one of the youngest rosters in the ACC. This might be the most talented overall crop that Johnson’s had run out of the tunnel. An experienced offensive line should really maximize the efficacy of the triple option and the previously mentioned defenders should shine on the other side of the ball.
The scheduling gods didn’t do GT any favors, though. Tech plays road games at Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and Georgia. Tech also gets Miami on Sept. 22 and an at-times-pesky BYU squad drawn from out of conference. I’ll call for merely a one win improvement from last year – not because the Yellow Jackets aren’t talented – but because that away schedule is a gauntlet.
