Evaluating Georgia Tech's Goals for 2009

So what do you think Georgia Tech’s top five goals will be for 2009?

Here’s my guess:

1. ACC Champs

Paul Johnson had to beat Georgia last year so he could cross that goal off his list and move on to other things in year two. This is not to say that Johnson or the team or the Tech fans don’t want to continue to beat UGA every year.

It simply removes the game from its front and center status. In this sense, beating UGA was more than just an emotional victory, revenge, redemption or bragging rights.

If the Jackets do make winning the ACC their priority in 2009, Virginia Tech and the media would be wise to take note of what the Jackets did to their No. 1 goal from '08.

2. Undefeated at home

Simply bumping up goal No. 3 from last year, the nice thing about this goal in 2009 is that it includes beating UGA.

Paul Johnson seems like the person to me who takes winning at home very seriously and I believe he will always make protecting Grant Field a priority.

Not only does staying undefeated at home give you a base .500 record every year, but it builds the team’s confidence and tears down the opponents. Also, it sells tickets.

3.  Lead Nation in Turnover Margin

Again, I’m just bumping up goals from last year.

Morgan Burnett and the rest of the secondary from last season return in 2009 to make sure turnovers gained remains a strength.

If Paul Johnson’s previous teams are any indicator of future performance, expect fumbles to drastically decrease in the Jackets second year.

I can see the Jackets making it into the top 20 in turnover margin in 2009.

4. Top ten rushing offense and defense

I think it is a very safe bet to say that Georgia Tech will lead the nation in rushing yards in 2009, after all Navy has successfully done it for the past four seasons thanks to none other than Paul Johnson.

Tech averaged 273 rushing yards per game last season. I can see the Jackets averaging 350 in 2009.  In Paul Johnson’s 12 years as a coach, his teams have averaged 327 rushing yards per game.

The defense, however, is less predictable. While Tech lost three very valuable starters on the front line, their secondary is extremely talented. It will be interesting to see how Dave Wommack and the Jackets defense perform in 2009.

5. Special Teams

Since I ran out of goals from last season to bump up, I figured that maybe the fifth goal in 2009 will be related to special teams. This was a weakness for Tech last season and has a lot of room for improvement.

Toe meets leather in 55 days!

What do you think GT's top goals should be for 2009?

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