For most Techies it will take more than one shot of Whiskey Clear to erase the memories of a cold, blustery, New Year’s eve party gone sour at the hands of LSU. The Jackets consistently remind us of our place in the college football universe with performances like the 2008 Chick-fil-a Bowl. It’s probably the only thing the team does consistently. It’s absolutely amazing how one game can be played so poorly as to almost erase the dream-sequence of a season that Paul Johnson’s first year achieved. The problem that has arisen for Georgia Tech in the past has always been dealing with expectation, and a team that defeated Clemson, Miami, Florida State and Georgia last season while missing the ACC title game on a tie-breaker has inherited a 2009 season full of expectations. The outlook for the Jackets is very good, almost too good for my taste. The team returns more starters (19) than anyone in the ACC. The team is lead by juniors and seniors on both sides of the ball. The offense has improved and expanded the playbook. Not to mention the Jackets favorable home schedule. So the season looks bright for the Ramblin’ Wreck and I’m not sure I know how to deal with that. Recently the Jackets have played the role of “shock the world” very effectively, seizing glory as it presented itself, and in the end, sitting back and admiring a season that could and possibly should have been worse.

This season presents an interesting aspect to the main concern following the “Debacle in the Dome,” mainly, the schedule. Georgia Tech’s 2009 away opponents were a combined 38-34 last year while the home opponents compiled a 40-22 record. The fact is, excluding FSU, Tech plays every marquee match up at home this season. When researching this first post of the 2009 season I found that every time I calculated a flaw or pothole in the season, the risk was severely reduced when it was discovered to be a home game. Making the possibility of an ACC championship and dare I say BCS game a distinct possibility. The discoveries that stick out most in my mind deal with my feelings towards two Jacket opponents, both are rivals and both are perceived vastly different by the media than by me going into this season. FSU and UGA. Florida State is not favored to do more than make noise in the ACC Atlantic Division mainly due to the number of distractions facing both the coaching staff and the players. The truth is they are still Florida State, they still have a good quarterback in Chris Ponder and they will still host Jackets. UGA on the other hand, in spite of losing key offensive players and continuing to plug holes in a defense that struggled at times last season (26-point third quarter anybody?) is being ranked as high as #13. I refuse to believe that that team can be that successful with no returning starters in key positions.

The 2009 Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket’s Season Prediction

Jacksonville State – [Home] It will take more than Perriloux and the Jackets are perennial opening day A-Gamers. (Win 1-0)

Clemson – [Home] Clemson lost its leading rusher, receiver and passer. C.J. Spiller is all that’s left of the Dashing Duo and the only QB other than Cullen Harper to see action last year, (Willy Korn) may not even start. Clemson is a tough natural rival but they will need to find out who they are very early and I don’t know if Middle Tennessee State is much of a barometer. (Win 2-0)

Miami – [Away] The hurricanes are giving Randy Shannon one last chance. Unlike Clemson, Miami does have a barometer week one, FSU, a good showing in that game could spell trouble for the Jackets. Outside of confidence, there is nothing here to suggest that this is not a winnable game for the Jackets. (Win 3-0)

UNC – [Home] I’m going to use a huge sweeping generalized statement and say that depending on how the season plays out, this could be ACC game of the year. I think other than Virginia Tech who is the sexy pick to win the ACC, no two teams have higher expectations than UNC and Georgia Tech. Two ACC opponents under the Jackets belt versus the Tar Heels who are opening conference play on the road in the Dodd after playing the Citadel, Uconn and East Carolina. The first true test for a championship contending team. (Win 4-0)

Mississippi State – [Away] Constant rebuilding is the name of the game in Starkville although no road game in SEC territory is easy and this is the first of two for the Jackets. It will take more than mojo from the second oldest D-1 stadium (the Dodd being the first) to stop the Jackets. (Win 5-0)

FSU – [Away] Florida State has one of the most interesting non-conference schedules you’ll find in the country. After opening with Miami, the Nole’s face mutual opponent Jacksonville State, BYU, South Florida and Boston College. Although the Jackets have not been victorious in Charlottesville, Virginia since 1990, this is by far the scariest road game of the season. This is also the one game I believe the Jackets will lose. (Loss 5-1)

Virginia Tech – [Home] A chance to knock off the defending champions and season favorites. Running back Darren Evans is out for the season so keeping Tyrod healthy and opponents scoring to a minimum has to happen for the Hokies to be successful. The Jackets will be better prepared and battle tested by this point. (Win 6-1)

Virginia – [Away] The Cavaliers may be in dire straits this season. Somehow Al Groh has found a loyalty well at Virginia but 2009 looks to be a lean year with the Cavs only offensive threat (RB Cedric Peerman) now playing in the NFL. The Paul Johnson led Jackets will succeed where previous administrations have failed. (Win 7-1)

Vanderbilt – [Away] A shadow of the team that overachieved last season remains in Nashville, along with a few unanswered questions. Ever heard the anecdote about rotating QB’s that goes “when you have two quarterbacks you have none?” well, the Commodores have three. They also don’t have wide receivers or a defense. (Win 8-1)

Wake Forest – [Home] The Demon Deacons have a very favorable schedule and the Atlantic Division title might be on the line when the team plays FSU on Nov. 14^th. If the shaky defense can hold up, Wake may be sporting a pretty impressive record (7-2 or 8-1) by the time they roll into the Dodd. At the end of the day the Deacs will be lucky to be anything more than division contenders. (Win 9-1)

Duke – [Away] The Blue Devils may have the best all-around quarterback in the ACC in Thaddeus Lewis, a very good coach in David Cutcliffe but that’s about it. One good lineman and one good linebacker can’t save a team that was second to last in the ACC in both rushing offense and defense. (Win 10-1)

UGA – [Home] The Dogs sound a lot like Clemson this year. They lost their leading rusher, receiver and passer. Another brutal schedule awaits and the Dog Nation might be staring a 6-6 season in the face but the Dogs would love nothing more than to spoil the Jackets fun on a national scale. They will need to find someone who can carry the load all season and a reliable arm to get the ball to A.J. Green AND some more tackling drills. (Win 11-1)

ACC Championship  Georgia Tech vs. Florida State (Win 12-1)

So there you have it. An incurable Tech fan staring improvement, strong coaching and a favorable schedule in the face has no choice but to strap in and enjoy the ride. My one disclaimer for the season; if the Jackets make it passed Virginia Tech undefeated, do not be surprised if Virginia in Charlottesville becomes the letdown game of 2009. Full Steam Ahead!

III,