Georgia Tech
Last year: 9-4 (4-4 ACC), beat Kentucky, 33-18, in the TaxSlayer Bowl
Best win: at Virginia Tech, 30-20 Worst loss: vs. Miami, 35-21. The Hurricanes were ranked No. 14, but this was a more disappointing loss, probably, than a three-point loss on the road at Pittsburgh.
Coach: Paul Johnson (10th year, 70-48)
Starters returning: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense, 0 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: RB Clinton Lynch. In Tech's triple-option offense, he'll have to step up with the loss of QB Justin Thomas, the transfer of RB Marcus Marshall, and the dismissal of last year's leading rusher, Dedrick Mills. But Lynch appears capable. As a sophomore, he ran for 415 yards and two TDs, but he had an 11.2 yards per carry average. He also caught 16 passes for 490 yards (30.6 yards per catch!) and six TDs. He's been sitting out practices lately because of an injury, but nothing has been said about him being unavailable this season.
Defensive player to watch: S A.J. Gray. As a sophomore, Davis collected 72 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two passes broken up, and a forced fumble.
Special teams player to watch: KR J.J. Green. Before leaving a late October game against Duke with an injury, the now-senior had a 24.6-yard return average with one TD.
Schedule: vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta), vs. Jacksonville State, at Central Florida, vs. Pittsburgh, vs. North Carolina, at Miami, vs. Wake Forest, at Clemson, at Virginia, vs. Virginia Tech, at Duke, vs. Georgia.
Outlook: Does this sound familiar? An experienced defense might need to carry an offense as it learns. Georgia Tech is not alone in the ACC in trying to search for a new QB after the graduation of Justin Thomas (53.4 percent, 1,559 yards, eight TDs, two INTs; 604 rushing yards, six TDs), but the position is unique for the Yellow Jackets, in that the signal-caller is responsible for understanding and operating the ins and outs of Johnson's triple-option offense. When the offense clicks, it looks like one of the best in the nation as it racks up points and yards and eats up the clock. When it doesn't, it can look sloppy with turnovers and stall frequently. Virginia's defense has experienced both sides of Tech's offense recently (27-21 UVa win two years ago, 31-17 loss last year, 35-10 loss three years ago). The candidates to replace Thomas are numerous. Last season's backup, Matthew Jordan, has the most experience. TaQuon Marshall, last season's third-stringer, is a possibility. Lucas Johnson, a redshirt freshman, popped up several times on a recent visit to a Georgia Tech-focused website. Some writers on the site thought one could start at QB but end up being replaced. So it will be a development to watch. The transfer of Marshall (to JMU) out of the backfield hurts because he was a capable back
(more than 600 yards each of the past two seasons), but also because he decided to transfer after the emergence of Dedrick Mills, who ran for 771 yards and 12 TDs in just nine games last season. Mills was just kicked off the team a few days go for violation of athletics department rules and won't be back. So they could've used Marshall. But Lynch has potential, and Qua Searcy (273 yards, two TDs) has a chance for a bigger role as well. A couple of names to keep an eye on are KirVonte Benson and Jerry Howard. Georgia Tech doesn't use receivers a lot, but it uses them well when it has good ones, and the Jackets have one in Ricky Jeune, who tallied 25 catches in 2016 for 427 yards and a touchdown. It looks like Tech returns three starters on the offensive line, a plus for a position group that really helps this offense move. As I've alluded to, the defense could be really good. In addition to Davis, other playmakers include Davis' fellow safety and 2016's leading tackler, Corey Griffin (82 tackles, five for loss, one sack, two picks) and senior twin Austin brothers Lance (a cornerback) and Lawrence (a nickel back), both of whom had three picks last year. Lance added 12 pass breakups. Defensive end Anree Saint-Amour picked up four sacks. After the opener against Tennessee, the schedule softens some. The Pitt game could be an earlier indicator of which team has it together better on offense. The Yellow Jackets have to go to Clemson and Miami, but do get Pitt, UNC, and Virginia Tech at home.
Win-loss prediction: 7-5 or 8-4
Miami
Last year: 9-4 (5-3 ACC), beat West Virginia, 31-14, in the Russell Athletic Bowl
Best win: bowl victory Worst loss: at Notre Dame, 30-27
Coach: Mark Richt (second year, 154-55 career)
Starters returning: 18 (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: RB Mark Walton. Last year as a sophomore, Walton rushed for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns and also caught 27 passes for 240 yards and a score.
Defensive player to watch: LB Shaquille Quarterman. As a freshman, Waterman recorded 84 tackles, 10 for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Special teams player to watch: K Michael Badgley. As a junior Badgley hit 21 of his 26 field goals.
Schedule: vs. Bethune-Cookman, at Arkansas State, at Florida State, vs. Toledo, at Duke, vs. Georgia Tech, vs. Syracuse, at North Carolina, vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Notre Dame, vs. Virginia, at Pittsburgh.
Outlook: Richt had a solid first season in Miami, winning his first four games before losing four straight and then finishing on a five-game winning streak. The offense put up about 34 points per game, and the defense allowed just more than 18 points per game, a 10-points-per-game improvement from 2015. This team returns lots of experience and is poised to be one of the best teams in the Coastal Division and maybe the entire ACC. But Richt did have to pick a new QB after Brad Kaaya decided to forgo his senior season for the NFL. The Hurricanes are going with sophomore Malik Rosier, a junior who has completed 50.8 percent of his passes (31 of 62) for 370 yards, two TDs, and three INTs in his career as a backup. Rosier will be happy he can turn around and hand the ball off to a talent such as Walton, and the Hurricanes' offensive line returns each starter and is one of the more experienced and deep groups in the league. Miami did lose wideout Stacy Coley and tight end David Njoku, but it
returns Ahmmon Richards at receiver, and he had a strong freshman season with 49 catches for 934 yards and a trio of TDs. At tight end, Chris Herndon comes back after 28 receptions for 334 yards and a pair of scores. Several standout defenders return in addition to Waterman, including defensive ends Chad Thomas (37 tackles, 11 for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble) and Joe Jackson (32 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles) and defensive tackles Kendrick Norton (39 tackles, 10 for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble) and R.J. McIntosh (47 tackles, 9.5 for loss, two sacks). The secondary took the biggest experience hit, but should be helped by all the talent in the front seven. The schedule sets up nicely for the Hurricanes, who should have no problem with Bethune-Cookman, Arkansas State, or Toledo. The other nonconference opponent, Notre Dame, is certainly a traditionally good team but was just 4-8 last season. Miami avoids Clemson and just has to face Syracuse from the other division, other than of course rival FSU early in the season, clearly Miami's toughest matchup. It will be interesting to see if Rosier has developed enough to give Miami a chance in that early contest. Ultimately, if Rosier can manage the offense, the team should compete for the division title. If he's even better than that, an ACC crown is not out of the question.
Win-loss prediction: 9-3 or 10-2
Last year: 9-4 (4-4 ACC), beat Kentucky, 33-18, in the TaxSlayer Bowl
Best win: at Virginia Tech, 30-20 Worst loss: vs. Miami, 35-21. The Hurricanes were ranked No. 14, but this was a more disappointing loss, probably, than a three-point loss on the road at Pittsburgh.
Coach: Paul Johnson (10th year, 70-48)
Starters returning: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense, 0 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: RB Clinton Lynch. In Tech's triple-option offense, he'll have to step up with the loss of QB Justin Thomas, the transfer of RB Marcus Marshall, and the dismissal of last year's leading rusher, Dedrick Mills. But Lynch appears capable. As a sophomore, he ran for 415 yards and two TDs, but he had an 11.2 yards per carry average. He also caught 16 passes for 490 yards (30.6 yards per catch!) and six TDs. He's been sitting out practices lately because of an injury, but nothing has been said about him being unavailable this season.
Defensive player to watch: S A.J. Gray. As a sophomore, Davis collected 72 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two passes broken up, and a forced fumble.
Special teams player to watch: KR J.J. Green. Before leaving a late October game against Duke with an injury, the now-senior had a 24.6-yard return average with one TD.
Schedule: vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta), vs. Jacksonville State, at Central Florida, vs. Pittsburgh, vs. North Carolina, at Miami, vs. Wake Forest, at Clemson, at Virginia, vs. Virginia Tech, at Duke, vs. Georgia.
Outlook: Does this sound familiar? An experienced defense might need to carry an offense as it learns. Georgia Tech is not alone in the ACC in trying to search for a new QB after the graduation of Justin Thomas (53.4 percent, 1,559 yards, eight TDs, two INTs; 604 rushing yards, six TDs), but the position is unique for the Yellow Jackets, in that the signal-caller is responsible for understanding and operating the ins and outs of Johnson's triple-option offense. When the offense clicks, it looks like one of the best in the nation as it racks up points and yards and eats up the clock. When it doesn't, it can look sloppy with turnovers and stall frequently. Virginia's defense has experienced both sides of Tech's offense recently (27-21 UVa win two years ago, 31-17 loss last year, 35-10 loss three years ago). The candidates to replace Thomas are numerous. Last season's backup, Matthew Jordan, has the most experience. TaQuon Marshall, last season's third-stringer, is a possibility. Lucas Johnson, a redshirt freshman, popped up several times on a recent visit to a Georgia Tech-focused website. Some writers on the site thought one could start at QB but end up being replaced. So it will be a development to watch. The transfer of Marshall (to JMU) out of the backfield hurts because he was a capable back
Win-loss prediction: 7-5 or 8-4
Miami
Last year: 9-4 (5-3 ACC), beat West Virginia, 31-14, in the Russell Athletic Bowl
Best win: bowl victory Worst loss: at Notre Dame, 30-27
Coach: Mark Richt (second year, 154-55 career)
Starters returning: 18 (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive player to watch: RB Mark Walton. Last year as a sophomore, Walton rushed for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns and also caught 27 passes for 240 yards and a score.
Defensive player to watch: LB Shaquille Quarterman. As a freshman, Waterman recorded 84 tackles, 10 for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Special teams player to watch: K Michael Badgley. As a junior Badgley hit 21 of his 26 field goals.
Schedule: vs. Bethune-Cookman, at Arkansas State, at Florida State, vs. Toledo, at Duke, vs. Georgia Tech, vs. Syracuse, at North Carolina, vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Notre Dame, vs. Virginia, at Pittsburgh.
Outlook: Richt had a solid first season in Miami, winning his first four games before losing four straight and then finishing on a five-game winning streak. The offense put up about 34 points per game, and the defense allowed just more than 18 points per game, a 10-points-per-game improvement from 2015. This team returns lots of experience and is poised to be one of the best teams in the Coastal Division and maybe the entire ACC. But Richt did have to pick a new QB after Brad Kaaya decided to forgo his senior season for the NFL. The Hurricanes are going with sophomore Malik Rosier, a junior who has completed 50.8 percent of his passes (31 of 62) for 370 yards, two TDs, and three INTs in his career as a backup. Rosier will be happy he can turn around and hand the ball off to a talent such as Walton, and the Hurricanes' offensive line returns each starter and is one of the more experienced and deep groups in the league. Miami did lose wideout Stacy Coley and tight end David Njoku, but it
Win-loss prediction: 9-3 or 10-2
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