Georgia Tech: Running The Ball and Exceeding Expecations

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets came into the 2008 season with a new head coach, a new quarterback, a new offensive system, and a lot of other questions.  Georgia Tech has been to 11 straight bowl games dating back to 1997 and only Georgia, Virginia Tech, Florida, Florida State, and Michigan currently have a streak this long.  Expectations were tepid at best for Paul Johnson’s first year in Atlanta considering the new offensive system combined with a lack of returning starters from a 7-6 team a year ago.  But after four games, the Yellow Jackets have exceeded expectations and appear to have a bright future under Johnson’s offense.

The ceiling for Georgia Tech this season was thought to be 8, 9 wins with a bowl by most, but after this past weekend I think Tech can win the ACC Championship this season!  They need some help from their ACC brethren because Virginia Tech will have to lose twice because of Georgia Tech’s head to head loss to the Hokies two weeks ago.  In addition to competing for an ACC title this season, Tech should be headed to a better bowl than last season.  A New Years Day bowl is not out of the question either as Tech has shown they can compete with anyone in the ACC.

If Georgia Tech can run the ball like they did against Mississippi State then Tech will at least be in every game the rest of the way, including the Georgia game.  While the offensive line is improving every week, the Jackets will need to rely on the quick feet of QB Josh Nesbitt and power of RB Jonathan Dwyer while the line learns the new system.  For Tech to win the ACC this season, they have to take care of the ball and limit their turnovers.  You can point to this as the biggest reason why they lost their only game.  Come December, I don’t think Georgia Tech will be in the ACC Championship Game, but they will not be playing their bowl west of the Mississippi either like seasons past. 

Check out more thoughts on Georgia Tech and the ACC at the The ACC & SEC Blog - http://accsec.blogspot.com