Georgia Tech defies predictions; sits atop ACC Coastal Division

By Lee Roberts  |   Thursday, October 23, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were supposed to struggle this season. With a new but old-fashioned offense and the loss of its defensive coordinator, many experts believed a long season was in order in Atlanta. At 6-1, and 3-1 in the conference, the Yellow Jackets are poised to claim the ACC Coastal Division crown.

Commentary: Paul Johnson came to Georgia Tech determined to run his offense – personnel be damned. As the only team in a BCS conference to run a true option offense, many were skeptical Johnson could continue the success he enjoyed at Navy. In the preseason, the media picked Georgia Tech to finish fourth in the Coastal Division. Now, Georgia Tech is winning and has the inside lane in the race to the ACC championship game.

The Yellow Jackets’ lone loss came in Blacksburg, Va., early in the season. Georgia Tech turned the ball over three times against Virginia Tech, which cost the Jackets the game. Now, Virginia Tech appears to be the stiffest competition for Georgia Tech in the division. However, the Hokies lost last week at Boston College and face trips to Florida State and Miami in the next three weeks.

Meanwhile, Georgia Tech has three of its last four conference games at home. The Jackets also play Miami and Florida State, but both take place in Bobby Dodd Stadium. The lone road trip is to North Carolina – a young team battling a severe case of the injury bug. The Yellow Jackets know all about injuries, as Josh Nesbitt and Jaybo Shaw – the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart – have each missed time.

Now, with its backfield seemingly healthy, Georgia Tech is in the homestretch. The players have confidence in Johnson’s system and look like the team to beat in the Coastal Division. They just have to finish the race as strong as they started.

Fan Pulse: Georgia Tech fans are thrilled with the job Johnson has done thus far and understandably so.

Injury Watch: Cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels is out with a hamstring injury and wide receiver Tyler Melton is out with a knee injury.
Got something to say?

Log In and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report