By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

You never really know what to expect with Georgia Tech. When you have high expectations they seem to disappoint. Conversely, when you have low expectations for the Yellow Jackets they exceed them.

Perfect example, they were 11-3 in 2014 and finished the year ranked in the top 10 in the AP and Coaches polls. They followed that up by going 3-9 in 2015 with only one conference win. Of course, that lone ACC win was against No. 9 Florida State. Last year they bounced back and went 9-4.

So, are we in for another down year for the Ramblin Wreck? They lost 5^th year senior quarterback Justin Thomas. Junior QB Matthew Jordan is probably going to replace Thomas. He started last year on the road against Virginia Tech and led the Jackets to a win. He only completed 2 of 7 passing attempts but he rushed for 127 yards against the Hokies. Fellow junior TaQuon Marshall also has a chance to start at quarterback.

Fullback Dedrick Mills is back after leading Tech in rushing as a freshman, and the top three slotbacks and both starting receivers are back.

Mills and Clinton Lynch were voted the ACC’s second best running back duo by a few publications. Mills was named to All-ACC Preseason Football Team after rushing for 771 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2016. Lynch rushed for 415 yards and two touchdowns last season and had 16 receptions for 490 yards and six touchdowns.

The offensive line has all sorts of experienced pieces returning after a disastrous 2016. Nine players started at least one game, and no one started all 13. The result: three “starters” are gone, and six “starters” return. One of them is the mountain of a man, 380-pound guard Shamire Devine.

The entire secondary returns from last season. This will be one of the most experienced defenses Paul Johnson has had in a while. The entire lineup should consist of juniors and seniors.

The season begins September 4^th at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Tennessee. The Vols are also going to have a new starter at QB since Joshua Dobbs has graduated. Tech normally starts the season against an FCS opponent so this is a big game to start the year. I think Tennessee wins.

The next two games should be easy wins. September 9^th is at home against FCS Jacksonville State and September 16^th is at Central Florida. UCF was 6-7 last year so I don’t expect them to put up much of a fight.

Conference play begins September 23^rd at home versus Pitt. I think this game is a “W”.

The following week is also at home against North Carolina. The Tar Heels lost QB Mitchell Trubisky, who was the second overall pick in the 2017 draft. I expect that to slow down their high scoring offense and the Jackets should win.

After a bye week, they go on the road at Miami. Johnson has not had much success against the Hurricanes. I think this will be a loss.

Next is Wake Forest at home. This will be a blow out win. Oct. 28^th is in Death Valley against Clemson. I’m picking the Tigers.

The next three games are at Virginia, Virginia Tech and at Duke. The only loss in that trio is to Va Tech.

The season finale is the in-state rivalry game against Georgia in Atlanta. I believe UGA will be much better this year and I’m picking the Bulldogs.

I expect Ga Tech to be 7-5 which means they will play in a bowl game in 2017.