2009 record: 11-3, 7-1 (1st in ACC Coastal)
2009 bowl: Lost to Iowa 24-14 in Orange
2009 final AP/coaches' ranking: 13/13
Coach: Paul Johnson (20-7, 3rd year; 127-46 overall, 9 years)
Offensive coordinator: Paul Johnson (3rd year)
Defensive coordinator: Al Groh (1st year)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 8
Location: Atlanta
Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium (grass; 55,000)
Last league title: 2009
2010 schedule: [view]
2010 roster: [view]
2009 statistics: [view]

Offensive: The flexbone running game — what else? — should continue to dominate the headlines at Georgia Tech. No one has been able to figure it out, much less offer consistent containment, so look for the Yellow Jackets to again be among the nation’s top rushing teams. Senior quarterback Josh Nesbitt (1,037 yards rushing) remains the triggerman. Senior Anthony Allen, often brilliant with sparse carries, will likely become the primary runner, although junior Roddy Jones should have a prominent role. The offensive line features three new starters.

Defensive: The new defensive coordinator, former Virginia head coach Al Groh, has installed a 3-4 alignment. Groh has an abundance of linebackers, including seniors Anthony Egbuniwe and Anthony Barnes on the outside. Three starters return in the secondary, although junior Jerrard Tarrant has shifted from cornerback to safety. Depth is lacking on the defensive line. 

Specialists: There’s an excellent punting game with junior Chandler Anderson (42.3 yards per punt, plus a 17th-place national finish in net punting). Senior place-kicker Scott Blair needs more consistency. Tarrant — with two touchdowns and a 13.0-yard average — is excellent on punt returns.

Coaching: Paul Johnson is 20-7 in two Georgia Tech seasons, including an ACC title. Not bad. And it will probably get even better. Johnson’s offensive system has the Yellow Jackets operating on firm ground. 

Heisman hopefuls: Georgia Tech’s backfield balance doesn’t lend itself toward establishing a big-time Heisman candidate.

Game of the year Nov. 13 vs. Miami This figures to be a big one in the ACC Coastal Division. The Yellow Jackets were momentarily deflated last year by an early season 33-17 loss at Miami.

Overview: The Yellow Jackets had four players leave early for the NFL draft, including running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Derrick Morgan. It’s difficult for any program to weather that kind of stormy impact on a roster. But there is a senior quarterback, an offense that has created nightmares for opponents and a defense that will improve greatly. It might not be another championship season at Georgia Tech, although nobody will look forward to playing the Yellow Jackets. 

Next up: No. 25 LSU