Outlook: Can an option offense thrive in the ACC? We're about to find out. In Paul Johnson's two previous stops as a head coach, his teams piled up yards and victories, and he sees no reason why the same thing can't happen in Atlanta. It will take time, however, for Johnson to assemble a roster full of players who fit his system well.

Coach: Paul Johnson (first season at Georgia Tech; 107-39 overall)

2007: 4-4 in ACC (third in Coastal), 7-6 overall; lost 40-28 to Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl

Players to watch: Josh Nesbitt, So. QB; Greg Smith, Jr. WR; Jonathan Dwyer, So. RB; Andrew Gardner, Sr. OT; Darryl Richard, Sr. DT; Morgan Burnett, So. S.

All eyes on: Quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who'll be asked to master and lead Johnson's trademark offense. Nesbitt completed 5 of 13 passes for 93 yards and one touchdown last season. He rushed 53 times for 339 yards.

Big game: Nov. 29, at Georgia. Under Johnson's predecessor, the Yellow Jackets went 0-6 against the Bulldogs, and that's a big reason Chan Gailey lost his job. An upset of Georgia this season would endear Johnson to the Georgia Tech fan base.

Quotable: "The offensive system is big enough that we won't have to change it. What exactly we do within that system will depend on the individual. Will we throw the ball more at Georgia Tech than we did at Navy? Probably, but we'll see what gives us the best chance to win." -- Johnson

Key stat: The Jackets haven't had a losing season since 1997, when they went 5-6 under George O'Leary.

The bottom line: Fifth in the Coastal. Even if the Jackets weren't adjusting to a new coach and a new system, they'd be expected to struggle. They have only eight starters back: four on each side of the ball.

Date Opponent Time
Aug. 28 Jacksonville State 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Boston College noon
Sept. 13 at Virginia Tech 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Mississippi State TBA
Oct. 4 Duke TBA
Oct. 11 Gardner-Webb TBA
Oct. 18 at Clemson TBA
Oct. 25 Virginia TBA
Nov. 1 Florida State TBA
Nov. 8 at North Carolina TBA
Nov. 20 Miami (Fla.) 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Georgia TBA