The Yellow Jackets might be poised to take another step forward in the second year under shrewd coach Bobby Johnson, who left Navy to take over last fall. The Jackets were fourth in America in rushing, with 273 yards per game (100 more than anyone else in the ACC) in Johnson's 'flexbone option' offense. Detractors will say that Johnson's success in the ACC the first time around might have been a big flukish, as opponents simply weren't ready for it. However, with one week to prepare for it, most teams simply don't have the manpower or the brains to defend the complex offense, where timing and spacing and gap-assignment mean everything. Also, Johnson gets another year to bring in his own players and implement the entire playbook (sources say he was working at a little over 50 percent last year while teaching the intricacies of his system). Advantage, Tech.

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Almost everyone returns to the offense. The Jackets are three-deep at QB and the O-line is becoming more comfortable with the semi-shady 'cut blocking' schemes that Johnson employs. Concerns are with the special teams, which were downright ghastly at times last fall, and the D-line, where three All-ACC players depart. Those are somewhat alleviated by the very strong secondary, which has so much depth that the coaching staff created a new hybrid position where the safety will also act as a linebacker.

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