Georgia Tech Football: The ACC Favorite?
By John Buhler
When it comes to college football, I’m an SEC guy. But I will give credit where it is due: Georgia Tech had an outstanding 2014 season and should still be very good in 2015. Tech finished in the top ten in the AP Poll with an 11-3 record and an Orange Bowl victory. Not many teams could say they beat three high quality opponents in a single season: Clemson Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, and Mississippi State Bulldogs. With the ACC regaining credibility in football again these last few years, Tech looks primed to make a serious College Football Playoff run. Are the Yellow Jackets the favorite to win the ACC in 2015?
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Take the SEC out of the equation for the time being. It’s still too early thus to hard to decipher who will be playing in Atlanta. But in the other Power 5 Conferences, Georgia Tech is one of half a dozen programs I feel strongly that could make the College Football Playoff in 2015 (Ohio State, Michigan State, TCU, USC Trojans, and Clemson).
The Jackets play a very tough slate of games outside of their division this year. The reigning Coastal Division Champs will play at Notre Dame and Clemson and host Florida State and Georgia at home this fall. GT also has several interesting matchups in divisional play.
I like Brad Kaaya as The U’s QB but can he lift Al Golden’s Miami Hurricanes past Tech? The Battle of the Techs is always intriguing as Frank Beamer flat-out knows how to coach. I believe Duke will bring a top-tier QB transfer to Durham this fall as Coach Cut is a QB whisperer (Manning brothers, Thad Lewis, and Sean Renfree). Are UNC, Pitt, or UVA trending up? However you wish to slice it, the ACC Coastal looks improved in 2015.
Besides Tech’s tough 2015 schedule, I think Justin Thomas is the best quarterback that Paul Johnson has had in Atlanta. He’s mobile, he plays with poise, he throws a catchable ball, he’s really good. I think that the Ramblin’ Wreck will hold JT in high regard for years to come. I know he could have started on a Chan Gailey or George O’Leary team for sure.
And of course with Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets will run the ball better than just about anyone with their much talked about triple-option. If Thomas can make plays with his arm on third down, their defense stays physically tough, and they go 7-1 in Conference Play, there’s a very strong argument that the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets can win the ACC in 2015. But to make the College Football Playoff, they have to win in South Bend and sting the Dawgs Thanksgiving weekend.
Although I am a UGA alum, I respect what’s going on down in Atlanta with our intrastate rival. Here’s to another great game of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate in late November!