2013 College football countdown | No. 35: Georgia Tech

Paul Myerberg | USA TODAY Sports

One of the great myths surrounding Paul Johnson's offense is that given time – say, an extra week to prepare – opponents can nullify his spread option system. Well, let's rebut that claim. Last season, Duke, North Carolina and USC each had extra time to get ready for the Yellow Jackets; Tech won each time, averaging 43.7 points per game in the process.

Another misconception: Johnson's teams, due to this offense, are unable to make up ground if faced with an early deficit. False. The Jackets have won 12 games when trailing by at least a touchdown since Johnson's arrival in 2008. And this: Tech's archaic offense is slow, plodding and deliberate. The Jackets had 24 touchdown drives of five plays or less in 2012, not to mention 21 plays of 40 or more yards (eighth in the FBS) and 12 plays of 50 or more yards (seventh).

The misconception: Tech's stuck in the old days. The truth: Tech is hard to handle, impossible to stop when on a roll, difficult to stop when given time, as explosive as any offense in the country and more than capable of breaking your will on any given Saturday. And, once again, a leading ACC contender.

LAST YEAR'S PREDICTION

The good news is that Tech is close to breaking out. I can see the signs on this roster, in the fact that this team is still quite young despite its depth and experience, and I like the fact that it's now-or-never time for this defense – if it's going to work with Groh, this will be the year. But while I like Tech to win eight games during the regular season, I have my reservations about how it will fare against the four very good teams on this schedule. You simply cannot give Logan Thomas, Tajh Boyd and Aaron Murray time to operate in the pocket; the Jackets must be more disruptive. Until the pass rush improves and the defense comes together, Tech can't be viewed as one of the top three teams in the ACC – instead, I have them in fourth overall, second place in the Coastal division.

2012 RECAP

— In a nutshell: The issue wasn't the offense but the defense, which explains why Johnson and Tech jettisoned underachieving coordinator Al Groh in early October – but only after Groh's defense had allowed 42 points to Miami (Fla.), 49 points to Middle Tennessee State and 47 points to Clemson. The Jackets' defense rebounded slightly from there, minus hiccups against Brigham Young, North Carolina and Georgia, helping Tech earn an asterisked Coastal Division championship. It's still obvious that Johnson must devote his attention to the defensive side of the ball for Tech to return to its perch atop the ACC. How close was last year's team to another Orange Bowl berth? Not that far, to be honest: Tech lost two early league games in overtime and had Florida State well within striking distance in the ACC title game.

— High point: The three-game winning streak in November. The run moved Tech off the bubble and into the postseason, not to mention into the top spot in the Coastal – with some help from the NCAA, of course.

— Low point: Another loss to Georgia, this one by 32 points, and the defensive meltdown that cost Groh his job.

— Tidbit: Despite the run-first, run-often nature of Johnson's option offense, the Jackets still need to throw the football to be effective. Since the start of 2008 season, Tech is 23-5 when averaging at least 9.0 yards per attempt and 18-21 when averaging 8.9 or fewer yards per attempt. Last season, when the Jackets went 4-2 when averaging 9.0 or more yards per attempt, was a bit of an outlier.

— Tidbit (rushing edition): Tech has gained 20,362 yards on the ground since Johnson took over in 2008. That's the equivalent of 11.57 miles, or the distance from Bobby Stadium to Lake Court Park in Smyrna, Ga.

FORMER PLAYERS IN THE NFL

— 20: RB Anthony Allen (Baltimore), DT T.J. Barnes (Jacksonville), S Morgan Burnett (Green Bay), CB Mario Butler (Denver), RB Tashard Choice (Buffalo), WR Kevin Cone (Atlanta), DE Izaan Cross (Buffalo), RB Jonathan Dwyer (Pittsburgh), LS Andrew Economos (Tampa Bay), OT Andrew Gardner (Houston), WR Stephen Hill (New York Jets), DE Michael Johnson (Cincinnati), WR Calvin Johnson (Detroit), S Dawan Landry (New York Jets), DE Derrick Morgan (Tennessee), LB Daryl Smith (Baltimore), CB Rod Sweeting (New Orleans), WR Demaryius Thomas (Denver), DT Vance Walker (Oakland), LB Philip Wheeler (Miami).

ARBITRARY TOP FIVE LIST

— Action movies from 1987-90

1. Bloodsport (1988)

2. Predator (1987)

3. Die Hard (1988)

4. Total Recall (1990)

5. Robocop (1987)

COACHING

— Paul Johnson (Western Carolina '79), 41-26 after five seasons with Yellow Jackets. It's hard to imagine his first two years at Tech having gone any better: 20 victories, national rankings, a win against Georgia, an ACC championship and a BCS bowl berth. What must have been so frightening to the rest of the ACC is that Georgia Tech was that good so soon; most expected it to take at least one season for the Jackets to learn the intricacies of the option offense and another to begin to break in players best suited for the system. Where were all those who said that Johnson would fall flat, and that the antiquated option offense wouldn't match up with a speedy defense?

Well, those doubters had their day in 2010, as while Tech continued to lead the country in rushing offense but as a whole was far less explosive. In sliding to six wins, Johnson placed himself under some slight pressure to return the Yellow Jackets to the ACC mix in 2011 and 2012 – and Tech did bounce back, though not to the program's previous high in 2008 and 2009. Johnson's offense continues to roll, however, with the program's recent issues stemming more from a decidedly subpar defense rather than any perception that the ACC has caught up with his foolproof system.

Johnson was extremely successful at both his previous stops, leading Georgia Southern to a 62-10 mark and two FCS national championships from 1997-2001 and Navy to a 45-29 record from 2002-2007. His time at Navy was among the most successful in program history. He is one of five coaches in the academy's history with at least five years' experience with a winning percentage above .600, and his stretch of five consecutive seasons with at least eight wins was the first in the program's history. Johnson also illustrated he can make a quick turnaround; he inherited a Navy team coming off a two-year stretch of 1-20 ball, and after finishing 2-10 in his initial season went 43-19 the rest of his tenure. In 2003, Johnson led Navy to an 8-5 mark and a trip to the Houston Bowl, helping the Midshipmen become only the sixth team in FBS history to go from a winless season to a bowl game in two years or less. Now that he's faced some adversity in Atlanta, Johnson needs to show the sort of fortitude that led him to rebuild moribund Navy and, at least from 2008-9, lead the Yellow Jackets to the top of the conference.

— Tidbit (coaching edition): Tech's staffing changes began midway through last season, when it replaced Groh with secondary coach Charles Kelly. Kelly was one of two coaches to leave the program during the offseason, joining quarterbacks coach Brian Bohannon. The Jackets' new coordinator is Ted Roof, the former Auburn and Penn State assistant – and former Tech linebacker. Roof is one of two new faces on defense, joining new line coach Mike Pelton; to replace Bohannon, Johnson hired Cal Poly assistant Bryan Cook, who worked in a very similar system with the Mustangs. Although most of the staff returns, three hold new roles. Dave Walkosky will work solely on special teams after taking on defensive line duties following Groh's departure last fall. Elsewhere, Andy McCollum will move from the line to linebackers and Joe Speed will go from working with linebackers to the secondary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

— Offense: Oh, if only every offense was this lovable. Johnson's spread option system – please, please don't call it the triple option, because it's not – calls on a new triggerman to replace Tevin Washington, the multiple-year starting quarterback, with all signs pointing toward sophomore Vad Lee, last year's backup. Lee's biggest impact as a rookie came as a runner, where he chipped in with 544 yards as a situational reserve, but he also flashed some ability as a passer, averaging 10.6 yards per attempt in throwing for 596 yards. To me, Lee's potential in this offense – well-documented since his arrival – makes him one of the most intriguing young quarterbacks in the ACC. But is he ready for this challenge? I'd be wary if Tech hadn't done its part to get Lee on the field last season, to be honest. But he played well enough when given the opportunity to make his ascension to the starting role a welcomed sight, not a cross-your-fingers, wish-for-the-best development. Better yet, Tech really likes redshirt freshman Justin Thomas, who played well during the spring. It also has some confidence in former Middle Tennessee State transfer Tim Byerly, who should run third on the depth chart. Given the degree of production inherent from the position, Lee should throw for 1,400 yards and gain another 800 or more on the ground, accounting for more than 20 total touchdowns. He's going to have a really nice career.

In all, the Jackets have the ACC's best backfield depth. It's one thing to have three backs capable of leading this offense; it's quite another to have – and this is no overstatement – six or seven backs worthy of taking center stage. The three starters, though this tag is useless given Tech's propensity to rotate, are seniors David Sims (612 yards) and Robert Godhigh (429 yards) and junior B.J. Bostic (212 yards). Behind this trio, however, the Jackets have juniors Zach Laskey (team-best 697 yards), Tony Zenon (193 yards), Synjyn Davis (142 yards), Deon Hill and Charles Perkins. Add in a few true and redshirt freshmen and you have depth to spare – enough to wish the NCAA allowed trades, so that Tech could swap a few backs for a stopper at defensive tackle, for example. Due to the overwhelming numbers, no one back is going to crack the 1,000-yard mark; in fact, this shift in rotational philosophy is one thing that has changed from Johnson's early years with the program.

The offensive line continues to improve as it adds much-needed experience, quietly moving from a nail-biting nuisance as recently as two years ago to one of the top four units in the ACC. This year's group is seasoned, familiar with the system, strong at the point of attack and, most of all, deeper than at any point in recent memory. But while four starters return, the one loss, right guard Omoregie Uzzi, looms very large. How will the Jackets replace Uzzi's production? It'll be hard, but Tech will move junior Shaquille Mason from left to right guard while hopefully landing a full, healthy season from senior left guard Will Jackson, an All-ACC performer when upright. So it'll be Mason and Jackson at guard, senior Jay Finch at center, senior Ray Beno at left tackle and junior Morgan Bailey at right tackle. This is a very solid group. And unlike in the past, Tech's second level is composed nearly entirely of players with at least two seasons of experience in the system. It's hard to explain just how far this line has come during the last two or three years.

— Defense: Until proven otherwise – and, to be honest, adding Roof didn't light the world afire – this defense will be Tech's Achilles heel, a unit so bereft of consistent production as to stand in direct contrast to the Jackets' potential for offensive explosiveness. For a nuts-and-bolts reason for concern, consider this: Tech will shift from a 3-4 into Roof's preferred 4-3 base set, stretching the defense's personnel while creating the possibility of a steep learning curve in September and early October, even if the system isn't totally foreign to the roster. But remember that the Jackets have spent the last few recruiting cycles bringing in prospects suited for roles in the 3-4; while it's far, far easier to move to this system than from the 4-3 to the 3-4, there's bound to be some confusion as the front seven steps into a new scheme.

But the move will pay off. For one, Roof will greatly simplify Tech's overall responsibilities – wonderful news for this defense, which seemed tentative and unconfident in Groh's scheme. In addition, Tech's talent at linebacker will allow Roof to move athletic defenders down to end, adding speed and aggressiveness to the Jackets' pass rush. One player who will benefit from the move is senior end Jeremiah Attaochu (69 tackles, 10.0 sacks), an all-conference performer with the ability to wreak havoc coming off the edge. Attaochu will start on one side, spelled by a pair of redshirt freshmen, and bookend the line with one of two seniors, Emmanuel Dieke (24 tackles) and converted linebacker Chris Crenshaw. One former end, senior Euclid Cummings (23 tackles, 3.0 sacks) will move to tackle. Another bonus of the shift: Tech doesn't have a nose tackle for the 3-4, but it does have adequate size to run the 4-3 along the interior. Joining Cummings inside are sophomores Adam Gotsis and Jimmie Kitchen and redshirt freshmen Patrick Gamble and Francis Kallon – and I think Kallon is going to be a star.

Is the line in good shape? Well, I can see some nice spots. But the line is the weak link on this defense, and will continue to be a weakness until these linemen prove an ability to fit into the new roles demanded from this system. At linebacker, on the other hand, Tech should be able to grasp Roof's scheme despite losing Attaochu to the front four. Nothing has changed, to be honest: Tech still has senior Brandon Watts (77 tackles, 8.5 for loss) at one outside spot, will shift junior Quayshawn Nealy (79 tackles) from 3-4 inside linebacker to the outside and will continue to audition sophomore Jabari Hunt-Days (84 tackles) and senior Daniel Drummond (36 tackles) in the middle. When the dust clear, look for Hunt-Days to grab the starting nod. Losing Attaochu robs Tech of some game-breaking ability, but the second level seems very steady.

The Jackets will replace Rod Sweeting by fully committing senior Jemea Thomas (86 tackles) to cornerback, giving this defense two very experienced starters on the outside – Thomas joining senior Louis Young (32 tackles) – but opening up some depth issues at safety. Is this a good move? Yeah, I think so. For one, Thomas clearly has the speed and makeup speed to fit nicely at cornerback, especially after spending the first half of 2012 at the position. Secondly, Young, when properly motivated, can run with almost any receiver in the ACC. (Hedging my bets for any Watkins-Diggs-Greene-related missteps.) With senior Isaiah Johnson (87 tackles) back at one safety spot, whether Tech's secondary can rally against the league's elite offenses hinges entirely on how well a defender like Chris Milton, Fred Holton or Demond Smith fares in the starting lineup. Is Holton healthy? After looking like a clear future starter as a true freshman in 2010, Holton has missed the last two seasons with lower-body injuries. If he's ready to go, Tech's secondary could be very good.

— Special teams: At least Tech seems to have solved its decade-long return woes with junior cornerback Jamal Golden, who scored twice on kickoffs a year ago. The good news ends there. To be blunt, the Jackets need true freshman Harrison Butker – one of the nation's top kicking recruits – to step right in and replace senior David Scully, who does not seem like the answer at kicker. Senior Sean Poole and sophomore Ryan Rodwell return at punter, but one needs to take a step forward to help bail out Tech's defense. But here's one thing to consider: Tech hired Walkosky last winter to serve solely as its special teams coordinator. He was unable to do so last season, due to Groh's dismissal, so the Jackets' teams could improve under Walkosky's undivided attention.

POSITION(S) TO WATCH

— Wide receiver: It seems somewhat ironic to highlight the Jackets' receivers, given the offensive style, but remember the earlier note: Tech is at its most dangerous when hitting on plays downfield. As is typically the case, this offense is not long on proven options at the position. The passing game will center on junior Darren Waller (162 yards, 20.25 yards per catch), the lone option of real consequence, and look for some occasional production from unknowns like junior Corey Dennis and redshirt freshmen Michael Summers and Travin Henry. There's also a great opportunity for a number of walk-ons to see time, whether Marty Alcala, Jamie Alvarez or Brandon Oliver, and true freshmen Ricky Jeune and Antonio Messick could see time if they prove capable of doing the dirty work – you know, blocking. Unfortunately, Tech likely won't have a would-be starter in Anthony Autry, who reinjured his knee during the offseason. Here's one guy I'll be watching: DeAndre Smelter, a junior, will join the football program after spending the last three years on Tech's baseball team.

GAME(S) TO WATCH

— Virginia Tech: It's either the Hokies, UNC or Miami (Fla.), since one of this quartet is going to win the Coastal – and Tech gets all three in row from late September through early October, so we'll know where the Jackets stand pretty early. I'm also looking at Brigham Young as a big date for the Jackets' national standing, especially if they start strong against the top Coastal competition. The schedule is a beast, to put it lightly. A few of the greatest hits: UNC, Virginia Tech, at Miami, at BYU, at Clemson, Georgia. This is one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS.

SEASON BREAKDOWN & PREDICTION

— In a nutshell: This schedule is going to harm Georgia Tech's bottom line, but I think the Yellow Jackets must be taken very, very seriously as a darkhorse ACC and BCS contender in 2013. Why? For one, because of the Jackets' amazing level of experience: Tech brings back 361 career starts, the third-most of the FBS. I love the potential on offense, especially if Lee plays up to his potential as Tech's starting quarterback. The running game, with Lee putting in a heavy load, will be the best in college football. This line is the best of Johnson's tenure – and if not the best, certainly the deepest. The Jackets are experienced, well-coached, potent offensively and hungry, which is a fantastic combination.

The issues are this schedule, which is beastly, and the defense. For me, the defense stands in prove-me-wrong territory: Tech's group, while talented – and in a better system – needs to prove itself in September and October. There are certainly things to like, from the speed on the edge to a potentially strong secondary; there are also worries, from the interior of the defensive line to the general learning curve that should come with the new scheme. The defense will be better, but will it be good enough to work in concert with this offense and carry Tech to the top of the Coastal Division?

So here's where I stand: I think Tech wins seven or eight games in the regular season, likely eight, and that's a pretty nice accomplishment given this schedule. What's vital – and what would push Tech far higher in these rankings – is that the Jackets land meaningful wins, victories against premier competition, rather than feast on the weaklings. That's totally possible. Cowardly, I'm not going to pull the trigger on Tech as a top-25 team or one with the overall balance needed to win 10 games and reach the ACC title game. But I'll say this: Tech has that potential, the ability to be the surprise in the ACC, and needs to be viewed as a team with the potential for a much-awaited return to the national conversation.

— Dream season: Georgia Tech loses only to Clemson, with a win against Georgia both pushing the Jackets into a BCS bowl and ending the Bulldogs' championship hopes – a nice two-pronged achievement.

— Nightmare season: The Jackets lose every game to the top six teams on the schedule and drop another to Pittsburgh, falling out of bowl eligibility.

— All-name team nominee: RB Robert Godhigh.

UP NEXT

— Who is No. 34? This program is the only one in the FBS recognized with a 2012 Super 11 Award to have reached a BCS bowl since the 2009 season.

2013 TEAM OVERVIEW

— Conference: ACC, Coastal

— Location: Atlanta

— Nickname: Yellow Jackets

— Returning starters: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense)

— Last year's ranking: No. 27

— 2012 record: 7-7 (5-3)

— Last year's re-ranking: No. 63

— 2013 schedule:

Aug. 31 Elon

Sept. 14 at Duke

Sept. 21 North Carolina

Sept. 26 Virginia Tech

Oct. 5 at Miami (Fla.)

Oct. 12 at Brigham Young

Oct. 19 Syracuse

Oct. 26 at Virginia

Nov. 2 Pittsburgh

Nov. 14 at Clemson

Nov. 23 Alabama A&M

Nov. 30 Georgia

Paul Myerberg, a national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @PaulMyerberg.