By Scott Haynes Aug 25, 2007, 17:07 GMT
OFFENSE: The Tech offense averaged a solid 24.9 ppg last season and although it only averaged 332.1 yards per game, the ground game was solid (162.4 ypg) and the passing game possessed the best offensive weapon in the nation in standout receiver Calvin Johnson. The offense was under the leadership of inconsistent QB Reggie Ball the last few seasons, but his reign is now over and the offense will be turned over to junior signal-caller Taylor Bennett (6-3, 215), who got two starts last season, including a great performance in last year's Gator Bowl (326 yards and three TDs). Replacing Ball isn't the problem, but replacing Johnson will be impossible. The All-American went third in the NFL Draft last season, after finishing his junior campaign with 76 receptions, for 1,202 yards and 15 TDs. The other offensive weapon, tailback Tashard Choice, does return, after rushing for an ACC-best 1,473 yards in 2006, with 12 TDs. A steady diet of Choice on the ground is clearly the way to go this year, as head coach Chan Gailey sees what he has in the passing game. Look for junior James Johnson (39 receptions, for 608 yards and seven TDs) to become the go-to-guy downfield for Tech, although a lot is expected of redshirt freshman Demaryius Thomas (6-3, 220). The offensive line returns four of its five starters, including 6-6, 300-pound left tackle Andrew Gardner, who was an all-conference honorable mention last season.
DEFENSE: The Georgia Tech defense returns eight starters from a unit that allowed 300.6 yards of total offense in 2006. The rush defense allowed a mere 104.8 yards per game (3.3 ypc) and the pass defense allowed just under 200 yards per game (195.8). There is experienced personnel in all areas of the defense. The line will be anchored by Second-Team All-ACC end Adamm Oliver (70 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks), junior rush end Michael Johnson (five sacks in 2006) and tackle Darryl Richards (20 tackles in 2006). The linebacking corps loses KaMichael Hall, but returns senior standout Philip Wheeler (89 tackles, nine sacks), who was also a Second-Team All-ACC selection last year. In all, five of the top six LBs return and an experienced group should be better than last year. The secondary returns intact, led by All-ACC First-Teamer Jamal Lewis at strong safety. The 6-0, 200-pound senior recorded 74 tackles last season, with six TFLs and three INTs. Djay Jones is another senior safety with plenty of playing time. He recorded a team-high four picks last season. Junior CB Jahi Word-Daniel (team-high 13 PBUs in 2006) is the only non-senior among the starters in the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Yellow Jackets return both their placekicker and punter from last season and the kicking game seems to be in good shape. Travis Bell was a First-Team All-ACC member as a redshirt freshman a couple of years ago, and has shown flashes of brilliance since. Last season, Bell hit 12-of-18 field-goal attempts and all 43 extra-points. Their weren't many punters in the nation better than Durant Brooks, who earned First-Team All-ACC honors as well as being tabbed a Second-Team All-American after averaging a hefty 45.5 yards per punt (79 attempts), while placing 35 inside the 20-yard line.
2007 OUTLOOK: Like last year, the Yellow Jackets open things up with Notre Dame, this time traveling to South Bend. The team beat up on the Irish for three quarters last season and certainly has the ability to start 2007 with a win. The rest of the non-conference slate includes home games against Samford, Army and rival Georgia in the regular-season finale. Winning three of those four games gives the team a better than average chance at yet another winning season. The Coastal Division crown likely runs through Blacksburg this year, but Tech gets Virginia Tech at home on November 1st and that game could be real important in terms of division supremacy. Boston College, Clemson and North Carolina also come to Atlanta, while Tech's league road schedule includes games at Virginia, at Maryland, at Miami and at Duke.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Your Talkback on this Story