In this part, I'll preview two more Coastal Division teams: Georgia Tech and Miami. Friday, I'll publish a preview for Virginia, and Saturday morning you can wake up to this year's first edition of picks as the first full slate of college football games get under way.
Georgia Tech
Last season: Like UNC, Georgia Tech experienced an up and down 2010 season, finishing 6-7, and 4-4 in the ACC, third in the Coastal Division. GT lost to Air Force 14-7 in the Independence Bowl. The Jackets lost to Kansas 28-25 in their second game of the season a week after the Jayhawks lost to North Dakota State. A week later, the Jackets beat UNC and followed that win up by losing 45-28 to N.C. State. GT played Virginia Tech tough on a Thursday night, losing only 28-21, but got destroyed by Miami 35-10. QB Josh Nesbitt hurt his arm in the game vs. VT and missed the final three games. Coach Paul Johnson's triple-option offense rushed for 323 yards per game and Nesbitt also threw for seven TDs. The defense struggled to adjust to new defensive coordinator Al Groh's 3-4 scheme and gave up 25.2 points per game and 372 yards per game.
Offense: Junior QB Tevin Washington showed that he can run the offense in his four games last season, but he also showed inconsistencies. in the three games he started, the offense scored only 10 points against Miami and seven against Air Force but went for 30 against Duke and 34 against Georgia. He is smaller but faster than Nesbitt who could bowl over defenders. The Jackets lose top rusher Anthony Allen but Roddy Jones and Orwin Smith are back and had solid seasons last year. Johnson can probably plug in whoever he wants and GT will produce above average to spectaclar rushing numbers because of the offensive system he runs. Rushing numbers won't always translate to wins and Nesbitt was able to keep defenses off balance with an occasional pass, especially in 2009 when he could pass to Demaryius Thomas. This year, GT returns their top four receivers. Overall, the Jackets return seven starters to the offense.
Defense: The defense returns just five starters, but one is leading tackler LB Julian Bennett. The defense should improve some in the second year of Groh's system.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Except for Georgia at the end of the year, which is at home, GT's nonconference slate isn't that daunting -- home against Western Carolina, at Middle Tennessee, and home against Kansas. In the ACC, Georgia Tech doesn't have to play Florida State and gets to play Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Maryland at home. Paul Johnson has proven he has a system he can win with and I expect Georgia Tech to have another solid season. I think a 6-6 or 7-5 regular season is what the Jackets are looking at.
Miami
Last season: The Hurricanes finished 7-6, 5-3 in the Coastal, which put them at second. Miami hung tough against Ohio State in the second game of the year but got blown out by Florida State, was upset by Virginia, and ended the season on a three-game losing streak with losses to Virginia Tech, South Florida, and Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl. QB Jacory Harris was hurt against Pitt early in the season and struggled, completing just 54.8 percent of his passes for 15 INTs compared to 14 TDs. Still, Miami was 5-2 and ranked No. 22 entering the game vs. Virginia. Wahoo LB John-Kevin Dolce laid a mean hit on Harris and concussed him during that contest. Harris sat out and Miami ended up turning to true freshman Stephen Morris. Morris threw for 1,240 yards and had nine INTs and seven TDs. In the second half of the regular-season finale, Harris took over again and had a good game. The offense gained 421 yards per game and was anchored by RB Damien Berry, who rushed for 899 yards and five TDs, and also WR Leonard Hankerson, who tallied 1,156 yards and 13 TDs. The defense was stingy and allowed just over 20 points per game.
Offense: It is unclear who will take the majority of snaps at QB for Miami. Harris looked to be the starter but he is suspended for the first game of the year as Miami works through their own NCAA problems. Morris will start the opener Monday at Maryland. Miami loses Berry, but they get over 1,000 yards and nine TDs returning in RBs Lamar Miller and Mike James. Hankerson is gone from the receiving corps to the NFL but Miami returns its No. 2 through No. 5 leading receivers.
Defense: The defense returns seven starters, including four of its five leading tacklers and also returns its leading sacker in Olivier Vernon (six sacks) and both players who tied for a team high three interceptions last season.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Miami has a new coach, Al Golden, who has ties to UVa. He was a graduate assistant in the late 1990s and was the defensive coordinator from 2001-05. Golden comes from Temple where he was head coach and turned around an awful Owls program. Miami is not a team Golden has to turn around, but the 'Canes are dealing with a black eye because of NCAA violations and all the uncertainty that comes with that. The schedule doesn't do Golden or the 'Canes any favors. Miami starts out Monday night at Maryland, then gets a week of rest before welcoming Ohio State. The Buckeyes are reeling from an NCAA investigation as well, however they are never to be taken lightly. Miami then gets a bit of a break by playing Kansas State and Bethune-Cookman at home, but then hits the road for two contests against Virginia Tech and then North Carolina. Miami finishes up the regular season by going to Florida State, South Florida, and then hosting Boston College. I think Golden can have great success in Miami. The 'Canes have a rich history; it's not like Golden is starting with nothing. Miami has 14 returning starters. He is definitely capable of leading Miami to a nine or 10-win season. The problem is the distraction of the NCAA investigation, and the fact that the team will be dealing with suspensions. That will hinder the 'Canes some, in addition to the tough schedule. I think Miami is looking at a 7-5 or 8-4 regular season.
Georgia Tech
Last season: Like UNC, Georgia Tech experienced an up and down 2010 season, finishing 6-7, and 4-4 in the ACC, third in the Coastal Division. GT lost to Air Force 14-7 in the Independence Bowl. The Jackets lost to Kansas 28-25 in their second game of the season a week after the Jayhawks lost to North Dakota State. A week later, the Jackets beat UNC and followed that win up by losing 45-28 to N.C. State. GT played Virginia Tech tough on a Thursday night, losing only 28-21, but got destroyed by Miami 35-10. QB Josh Nesbitt hurt his arm in the game vs. VT and missed the final three games. Coach Paul Johnson's triple-option offense rushed for 323 yards per game and Nesbitt also threw for seven TDs. The defense struggled to adjust to new defensive coordinator Al Groh's 3-4 scheme and gave up 25.2 points per game and 372 yards per game.
Offense: Junior QB Tevin Washington showed that he can run the offense in his four games last season, but he also showed inconsistencies. in the three games he started, the offense scored only 10 points against Miami and seven against Air Force but went for 30 against Duke and 34 against Georgia. He is smaller but faster than Nesbitt who could bowl over defenders. The Jackets lose top rusher Anthony Allen but Roddy Jones and Orwin Smith are back and had solid seasons last year. Johnson can probably plug in whoever he wants and GT will produce above average to spectaclar rushing numbers because of the offensive system he runs. Rushing numbers won't always translate to wins and Nesbitt was able to keep defenses off balance with an occasional pass, especially in 2009 when he could pass to Demaryius Thomas. This year, GT returns their top four receivers. Overall, the Jackets return seven starters to the offense.
Defense: The defense returns just five starters, but one is leading tackler LB Julian Bennett. The defense should improve some in the second year of Groh's system.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Except for Georgia at the end of the year, which is at home, GT's nonconference slate isn't that daunting -- home against Western Carolina, at Middle Tennessee, and home against Kansas. In the ACC, Georgia Tech doesn't have to play Florida State and gets to play Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Maryland at home. Paul Johnson has proven he has a system he can win with and I expect Georgia Tech to have another solid season. I think a 6-6 or 7-5 regular season is what the Jackets are looking at.
Miami
Last season: The Hurricanes finished 7-6, 5-3 in the Coastal, which put them at second. Miami hung tough against Ohio State in the second game of the year but got blown out by Florida State, was upset by Virginia, and ended the season on a three-game losing streak with losses to Virginia Tech, South Florida, and Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl. QB Jacory Harris was hurt against Pitt early in the season and struggled, completing just 54.8 percent of his passes for 15 INTs compared to 14 TDs. Still, Miami was 5-2 and ranked No. 22 entering the game vs. Virginia. Wahoo LB John-Kevin Dolce laid a mean hit on Harris and concussed him during that contest. Harris sat out and Miami ended up turning to true freshman Stephen Morris. Morris threw for 1,240 yards and had nine INTs and seven TDs. In the second half of the regular-season finale, Harris took over again and had a good game. The offense gained 421 yards per game and was anchored by RB Damien Berry, who rushed for 899 yards and five TDs, and also WR Leonard Hankerson, who tallied 1,156 yards and 13 TDs. The defense was stingy and allowed just over 20 points per game.
Offense: It is unclear who will take the majority of snaps at QB for Miami. Harris looked to be the starter but he is suspended for the first game of the year as Miami works through their own NCAA problems. Morris will start the opener Monday at Maryland. Miami loses Berry, but they get over 1,000 yards and nine TDs returning in RBs Lamar Miller and Mike James. Hankerson is gone from the receiving corps to the NFL but Miami returns its No. 2 through No. 5 leading receivers.
Defense: The defense returns seven starters, including four of its five leading tacklers and also returns its leading sacker in Olivier Vernon (six sacks) and both players who tied for a team high three interceptions last season.
Schedule, notes, outlook: Miami has a new coach, Al Golden, who has ties to UVa. He was a graduate assistant in the late 1990s and was the defensive coordinator from 2001-05. Golden comes from Temple where he was head coach and turned around an awful Owls program. Miami is not a team Golden has to turn around, but the 'Canes are dealing with a black eye because of NCAA violations and all the uncertainty that comes with that. The schedule doesn't do Golden or the 'Canes any favors. Miami starts out Monday night at Maryland, then gets a week of rest before welcoming Ohio State. The Buckeyes are reeling from an NCAA investigation as well, however they are never to be taken lightly. Miami then gets a bit of a break by playing Kansas State and Bethune-Cookman at home, but then hits the road for two contests against Virginia Tech and then North Carolina. Miami finishes up the regular season by going to Florida State, South Florida, and then hosting Boston College. I think Golden can have great success in Miami. The 'Canes have a rich history; it's not like Golden is starting with nothing. Miami has 14 returning starters. He is definitely capable of leading Miami to a nine or 10-win season. The problem is the distraction of the NCAA investigation, and the fact that the team will be dealing with suspensions. That will hinder the 'Canes some, in addition to the tough schedule. I think Miami is looking at a 7-5 or 8-4 regular season.
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