College Football Preview: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Josh Nesbitt is one of the top dual-threat QBs in the nation. (AP Images)

Georgia Tech is the reigning ACC champion, but the Jackets lost four of the key members off last year’s team as early entrants to the NFL draft so can the Jackets realistically repeat? It will be difficult considering the ACC’s Coastal Division is loaded this season – Tech opens with a cakewalk against South Carolina State on Saturday. Bet on Georgia Tech’s game on Bodog’s NCAA odds this season.

The Jackets may have one of the best coaches in the country in Paul Johnson, who has been named back-to-back ACC Coach of the Year. Thanks to his triple-option offense, Tech finished second in the nation in rushing offense with 295.4 yards per game last year and third in average time of possession.

There are six starters back on offense, but star RB Jonathan Dwyer and WR Demaryius Thomas are both in the NFL now. But QB Josh Nesbitt is back for his senior year after rushing for 1,037 yards and passed for 1,701 more last year. He also accounted for 28 touchdowns (18 rushing, 10 passing). Tech runs the ball on average more than 82 percent of the time. Dwyer will be tough to replace, Anthony Allen averaged 9.7 yards per carry last season (he moves into Dwyer’s B-Back role), while Roddy Jones has rushed for more than 600 yards in each of the past two seasons. There is no receiver back with much experience, however. Thomas helped keep defenses honest last year; no other Tech player had more than eight catches or one touchdown reception.

There are six starters back on defense, which lost ACC Defensive Player of the Year Derrick Morgan and star safety Morgan Burnett. Tech is switching from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 under new coordinator Al Groh, the former Virginia coach.

Georgia Tech’s over/under win total on Bodog is 7.5. Think you know the answer? Be a player and bet at Bodog