The time for defense is now. The 2010 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets season will be defined by defense. Defense of the ACC Championship and how well the team adjusts to new defensive coordinator Al Groh’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Defense has long been a catch-22 for the Jackets. In years where the offense has flourished the defense has been lacking. I still believe to this day that the offensive power of Joe Hamilton’s 1999 squad being one year shy of the solid defense that allowed less than 28 points a game in 2000 was a curse by the football gods. The 3-4 defense should be a great fit for the boys on the flats because it places most of the weight on the linebackers which has historically been a very strong area for the team. The coverage problems that have plagued Georgia Tech will continue to be a problem. Morgan Burnett will not be easily replaced and once again the defensive backfield will be relying on a combined effort from some new faces. How well the defense gets on its feet will be the determining factor in what could be another stellar season for the Jackets or a disappointing letdown.

The offense will enter plug-and-play mode for the first time in the Johnson era. The new round of a-backs and b-backs should fall into place like a carefully designed puzzle, one of the many bonuses sold to Tech fans about coach Johnson’s option offense. The problem will be the absence of a deep threat wide receiver. The option needs to have the ability to stretch the field when the defense starts to creep up to be effective. The threat also needs to actually exist to keep the defense honest, simply lining up a body to go deep will only work so many times. With Orwin Smith beginning to play more of a role in the backfield the assignment falls on Stephen Hill. The biggest hurdle this season on the offensive side of the ball is the health and well being of Josh Nesbitt and the security of the football. The Josh-Nes monster is the captain of the football team. He plays harder and is more of a leader than perhaps anyone on the team. He inspires great football when he is on the field and his experience is something the Jackets are not prepared to replace.

The team cannot fumble the football. Ever. Especially in November.

The schedule appears to be a a favorable one for a team with mixed expectations. Outside of a trip to Chapel Hill in week three, to play a UNC team that will undoubtedly still be dealing with distractions surrounding multiple NCAA investigations and in my forecast still feeling the thumping they will receive in the Dome at the hands of the LSU Tigers, the first two months of the season should be fairly routine for a team with this much returning talent. As I mentioned earlier the development of the defense early will be key to avoiding the grind-house month of November.

Season Forecast

S.C.S.U vs Georgia Tech – Win (Shaking the rust off might be sloppy for a quarter but the Jackets prevail)

Georgia Tech vs Kansas – Win (In a shoot-out in Lawrence, the Jackets defense gets its first true test but Kansas won’t answer the bell late)

Georgia Tech vs UNC – Win (Chapel Hill will be stunned after the romp in the Dome and the Jackets will avenge a 2008 loss)

N.C. State vs Georgia Tech – Win (If Wolfpack QB Russell Wilson finally steps up his game in line with his expectations this game could be tight)

Georgia Tech vs Wake Forest – Win (A rebuilding year for the Deacs)

Virginia vs Georgia Tech – Win (More of a rebuilding year for the Cavs)

M.T.S.U. vs Georgia Tech – Win (Directional Tennessee will be the rough game in the middle of the season but the Jackets hold on)

Georgia Tech vs Clemson – Win (The seasonal thermometer gets cranked up beginning with this classic, Jackets by three)

Georgia Tech vs Virginia Tech – Loss (The Jackets overcome the crowd and the stellar D only to have a fumble or flag cost them the game)

Miami vs Georgia Tech – Loss (The Coastal Division may still be on the line in this battle of tired, beat-up teams)

Duke vs Georgia Tech – Win (Duke will be better but not good enough)

Georgia Tech vs Georgia – Win (This game will depend on how well the season goes for both teams, the Dogs are set for a bumpy season again and would love to spoil the Jacket’s fun but a scrappy underachieving Tech squad could walk into Athens and rub their noses in the dirt. THWG.)

Prediction

Season: 10-2 (6-2) tied for 1st, lose tie breaker to VT

Gator Bowl: Georgia Tech vs Cincinnati – Win

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