Georgia Tech emerges as ACC Coastal front-runner in 2015

2014 was a fantastic year for the Georgia Tech football program. Paul Johnson’s crew soundly bested expectations with double-digit victories, and the team’s last two performances in wins over Georgia and Mississippi State inspired big-time confidence in the direction of the program moving forward. That optimism has now spread to the national media.

In a mini-poll conducted by ESPN pundits, three of the four “experts” polled selected the Yellow Jackets as the preseason favorite. Here is what Andrea Adelson had to say:

"Count me among the many to have learned a lesson in 2014. I will never count Georgia Tech out again. Well, not for 2015 anyway. With Justin Thomas back, Georgia Tech should be considered the favorites to win the crazy Coastal. Forget about who is gone. Yes it will hurt to lose Synjyn Days, Zach Laskey, Shaq Mason and DeAndre Smelter. But the key to the triple-option show is the quarterback, and the Jackets will be in good hands as long as Thomas is taking snaps behind center. Go back and watch the Orange Bowl against Mississippi State if you don’t believe me."

Justin Thomas is, almost assuredly, among a group of front-runners for ACC Player of the Year honors, but most importantly, Adelson’s assertion that Georgia Tech is never to be “counted out” is spot-on. Thomas was also prominently featured in the reasoning given by the other two writers (David Hale and Jared Shanker), and here is Hale’s rationale in full:

"Much like with Clemson in the Atlantic, this pick revolves greatly around the quarterback. Justin Thomas is a difference-maker, and he’s the perfect QB to run Paul Johnson’s offense. He helped direct one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country in 2014, and now he’s got a year of experience as the starter under his belt and Johnson is bringing in his best recruiting class in years to help supplement the roster. As always, the defense needs to do its part, but the progress that unit made throughout the season offers plenty of encouragement for 2015, too."

There is a long way to go before the 2015 college football season kicks off, but the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are already rolling down hill toward legitimate credence nationwide. Justin Thomas is back, the defense is improving, and positivity reigns in Atlanta.