Georgia Tech 2009 schedule analysis and forecast
By The Prez
Run baby, run. That's the team motto for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The Jackets ranked fourth nationally in 2008 averaging 273.2 rushing yards per game. This year’s team brings back ACC Offensive Player of the Year Jonathan Dwyer, fellow RB Roddy Jones, who had 214 yards rushing in Tech’s regular-season finale against Georgia last season and QB Josh Nesbitt, who ranked second to Dwyer in rushing yards in 2008.
As deep as that backfield already is, it adds Louisville transfer Anthony Allen. From 2006-07 with the Cardinals, Allen rushed for 1,167 yards and scoring 23 touchdowns. He also holds the single-game school record with 275 yards on the ground.
With a full season under its belts in coach Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense, Tech will be scary on the ground.
Nesbitt will have to throw the ball consistently to keep defenses from putting 10 in the box; the Jackets were fourth from last in passing in Division I last year.
The Georgia Tech defense had some issues last year, but eight starters return on that side of the ball. The ACC Costal title and a BCS bowl berth are the expectations in 2009. For that to become a reality Georgia Tech needs to overcome some large tests on the road.
Here’s Georgia Tech’s 2009 schedule:
September 5 vs. Jacksonville State
September 10 vs. Clemson
September 17 at Miami (FL)
September 26 vs. North Carolina
October 3 at Mississippi State
October 10 at Florida State
October 17 vs. Virginia Tech
October 24 at Virginia
October 31 at Vanderbilt
November 7 vs. Wake Forest
November 14 at Duke
November 28 vs. Georgia
BetUS.com has Georgia Tech’s over/under win total set at 8.5 and I think the over is easy money. Those two visits to the ACC Florida schools will bust the Jackets’ chance at an ACC title.
The Jackets will be favored to win the first two games at home, and they should. That Clemson game will be close.
The up-and-coming Hurricanes will beat Georgia Tech in Miami on Sept. 17. The Canes remember the Jackets embarrassed them last year when UM still had a shot at the ACC title.
That following game against North Carolina should be excellent, but you have to favor the Jackets on their home field.
October will be a chore with no weeks off and four road games. The Jackets will handle Mississippi State – Tech’s first of three games against SEC teams – but will lose in Tallahassee to a Florida State defense that will be quick enough to handle the option.
Then comes the huge battle with Virginia Tech - don't expect a lot of passing in that game. The Hokies might be unbeaten at this point, but the Jackets will get the job done after barely losing at Virginia Tech’s house last year.
The Jackets will close the regular season with five wins in a row, especially after they finally solved Georgia last year in Athens. The Dawgs are rebuilding a bit this year as well.
A 10-2 record and 6-2 in the ACC won’t be enough to reach the ACC title game - Virginia Tech probably will only lose once. But the Jackets will win 10 games for the first time since 1998.
Georgia Tech is +325 to win the ACC Coastal, and while it’s not impossible it’s not likely to happen this year with Virginia Tech loaded. Take the over of 8.5 wins and pass on all your other bets on this team. But watch out next year if the right players come back.