Bird’s Eye View: Georgia Tech is the “hot” pick of some media folks this season, much like Clemson was last year. While they certainly have some top notch talent, this is a team with too many holes to contend for the top spot in the Coastal Division.

Areas of Strength (offense): Based on the combination of past production and potential, I think a very good argument can be made that WR Calvin Johnson is the best offensive player in the ACC. He’s tall with great size and good speed. Once he learns how to get off the line a little better against press coverage, he’ll be NFL ready. His running mate, 6’3” Damarius Bilbo, should have a nice year when teams double Johnson. Tailback P.J. Daniels is a tough inside runner whose presence (or absence) completely changes the offense (witness last year’s game against VT in Atlanta). The backup tailback situation is also very strong with returnees Chris Woods, Rashaun Grant, and, most notably, transfer Tashard Choice from Oklahoma. Choice adds a different dimension to the rushing attack as he’s got more breakaway speed than Daniels. Although he doesn’t get a lot of publicity, Travis Bell may be the best kicker in the conference.

Areas of Concern (offense):  With only two returning starters, the offensive line is in flux and the two deep is loaded with sophomores and freshmen (much like VT’s line will look in ’06). This is particularly troubling because two year returning quarterback starter Reggie Ball can be very good at times, but he struggles with his decision making when pressured. GT is going to have to rely heavily on the run game to put Ball in a position to maximize his ability.

Areas of Strength (defense): Jon Tenuta is one of the best defensive coordinators around and his relentless, attacking style keeps offenses on their heels. GT will return eight players who have started on defense at one time or another, so this is an experienced group. The all ACC candidates are Eric Henderson (DE), Gerris Wilkerson (ILB) and Chris Reis (converted from weakside linebacker to strong safety). Henderson plays the run and the pass equally well, and he’s the best defender for the Jackets in my opinion. Wilkerson is a tough, instinctive player who converted from defensive end, and Reis made more plays for the Jackets last year than anyone. Also watch sophomore linebacker Phillip Wheeler – he’s got the potential to be a game changing player. The secondary will have four players who have started previously, although admittedly one was at another position (Reis) and one is coming off a redshirt year (CB Dennis Davis).

Areas of Concern (defense): GT thought it was so loaded on the defensive line that it moved three players to the offensive side of the ball, and then the Rambling Wreck lost two projected starters. Sophomore defensive tackle Darryl Richard tore his ACL during the spring, and then Travis Parker, a starter at defensive end who was a candidate to move to tackle to replace Richard, was dismissed from the team at the beginning of the summer for academic reasons. By the end of the spring the two deep at defensive tackle was populated by a 270 JR (returning starter Joe Anoai) and three redshirt freshmen that tip the scales at 265, 255 and 255. GT is expected to move 310 lb. Mansfield Wrotto, one of the offensive line converts, back to DT to add some muscle inside. Then the Jackets lost physically gifted but inconsistent corner Reuben Houston, who was arrested on a litany of drug charges. The secondary has experienced players, but Tenuta may have to play some zone because Reis and free safety Dawan Landry aren’t the swiftest set of safeties in the conference.

Key Game: Pick a road game, any road game (other than Duke). I’ll go with GT at UVa on November 12th when third place in the Coastal could be on the line, but GT also has to travel to Auburn, VT, and Miami.

Fearless Predictions: Despite a lot of preseason hype, I think the Jackets will struggle to be bowl eligible and 6-5 looks to be the best case scenario. Besides the four tough road games noted above, they play at home against Georgia, N.C. State, Clemson, Wake and North Carolina. Reggie Ball will have a plus TD-INT ratio this year, but he’ll make just enough mistakes to have Jacket fans longing for redshirt freshman Taylor Bennett. Defensive end Eric Henderson will revert back to the form of his sophomore season, and that’s bad news for ACC opponents.