No. 17: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 9:11AM 
By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
Coach Paul Johnson is back for his third season at Georgia Tech, as is his triple-option quarterback Josh Nesbitt.
So two key parts return for a Tech team that hopes to at least match last year's first 11-win season since its national championship of 1990. But there are definitely holes to fill.
Running back Anthony Allen also returns, and he'll handle the bulk of the rushing load, as 1,400-yard back Jonathan Dwyer did last year. But like Dwyer, wideout Demaryius Thomas is gone, leaving the Jackets with RB Embry Peeples as the team's most prolific returning pass-catcher. He had only eight receptions in 2009.
EXTRA: Images From 2009 Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech Game
But the triple-option that yielded 10 wins in Tech's first 11 games, before two late-season losses, doesn't need stat-heavy wideouts as other offensive schemes might. It sure wouldn't hurt, though.
Tech's top two defensive players are gone from a group that yielded 347 points last year. Enter new defensive coordinator Al Groh, who brings a 3-4 set that Tech hopes will be stronger against the run. With at least six guys with some level of starting experience in the secondary, Tech's pass defense should be better in 2010.
Tech won five games by five points or fewer last year, so it's important to note that the Yellow Jackets' kicking game returns largely intact. Kicker Scott Blair is back, as is punter Chandler Anderson. Jerrod Tarrant, a starting cornerback, is one of the ACC's top punt returners. He scored all four of Tech's non-offensive touchdowns a year ago.
Who's back? QB Josh Nesbitt, RB Anthony Allen, C Sean Bedford, LB Brad Jefferson
Who's gone? RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR Demaryius Thomas, DE Derrick Morgan, S Morgan Burnett
Why they'll win: The rushing game should pick up right where it left off, and the defense makes a seamless transition to Groh's 3-4.
Why they'll lose: A very daunting road schedule (Kansas, North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia) could just be too much for the Yellow Jackets.
Get your tickets: at Clemson (Oct. 23), at Virginia Tech (Nov. 4), vs. Miami (Nov. 13), at Georgia (Nov. 27)
Prediction: 8-4 (5-3, third place ACC Coastal)
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