Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Greater expectations for 2016

After a rough 2015-16 season, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson addressed the media at ACC Media Days with a positive outlook for the upcoming season.

Last season, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets experienced a dismal 3-9 season, with their only wins being over the Alcorn State Braves, Tulane Green Wave, and the Florida State Seminoles under quarterback Justin Thomas.

Though they did notably beat the Seminoles last year, Yellow Jackets’ head coach Paul Johnson has had his hands full this offseason as he works to revitalize his team to their 2014 Orange Bowl winning glory.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson addressed the media on Thursday, July 21, at ACC Media Days in Charlotte, NC. Johnson appeared to have a positive outlook on the upcoming season, despite the previous one, and believes “they have a chance to be better than people think.”

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VIA Stan Awtrey of the Ledger-Enquirer:

"“We’ve only been picked to win the thing one time and we finished last,” Johnson said Thursday during the annual ACC Media Days event. “You guys don’t have a very good track record.”But Johnson, who is starting his eighth season and is now the dean of ACC coaches, believes his guys could surprise a lot of people.“We’ll see,” he said. “We still have to play the games, but I think they have a chance to be better than people think.”Johnson has had the advantage of observing everything from the inside. He’s seen the response from the players following last year’s disastrous 3-9 season. He believes the tide can turn the other way.“Chemistry, the way they’ve worked … I think they’re hungry,” he said. “Last year was an enigma for us. In 20 years as a head coach, that was my second losing season, so I’m not used to it either. So it hasn’t been real comfortable around me. I think our guys were embarrassed.”Johnson talked a lot a year ago about quickly forgetting the bad results and not letting them linger. It was a message the players took to heart.“It really didn’t take long,” senior defensive tackle Pat Gamble said. “As soon as the season was over, we were ready to forget it and move on.”"

This season, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets should have a smooth start to their 2016 schedule, with their first three games against the Boston College Eagles, Mercer Bears, and Vanderbilt Commodores. The schedule then tightens up with games against the Clemson Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, and later potential difficulties in the North Carolina Tar Heels, Virginia Tech Hokies, and Georgia Bulldogs.

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If the team lives up to any bit of Coach Johnson‘s expectations for the season, they will go over the Vegas prediction of 6.5. Winning seven games this season should be expected for Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and their fans.