AMERICUS — What a season it has been for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Head coach Paul Johnson and his Ramblin’ Wreck began the season with a close but heart -breaking loss to the 16th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies, but quickly rebounded with huge wins over Presbyterian and Virginia. After fighting their way back to 2-1, the Jackets began a slide that many thought would define their season, and put Johnson on an incredibly hot seat.

Georgia Tech lost four of their next five games, with their only win coming over an unranked Boston College team. The low point of their skid came when the Jackets fell to Middle Tennessee by a huge margin, 49-28, at home in Bobby Dodd Stadium on Sept. 29. Following their Oct. 6 loss to Clemson, Johnson fired defensive coordinator Al Groh, citing a difficult defensive scheme that was too complicated for college players.

Then came the turnaround.

After falling to BYU 41-17 on Oct. 27, Georgia Tech flipped the switch. The Jackets man-handled Maryland 33-13 before putting up 68 points in a win over North Carolina and defeating a resurgent Duke Blue Devil team 42-24 on Saturday. The three wins in November have not only gotten them back above .500 with a 6-5 overall record, but it has also given them the opportunity to play in the ACC Championship on Dec. 1 as the Coastal Division Champions.  

The appearance in the championship required a bit of luck, as the Coastal Division-leading Miami Hurricanes self-imposed a post season ban to limit their future NCAA sanctions following a series of allegations last year. Still, for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to assume the role of Coastal Division Champions and take on Florida State in the ACC Championship is a huge feat following their less than impressive start to the season.

Before taking on the Seminoles in the ACC Championship, the Yellow Jackets have their sights set on another upset. This weekend Georgia Tech will face off against the University of Georgia, hoping to knock the number three ranked Bulldogs out of national title contention. If the Jackets can defeat the Bulldogs in Athens, it will end Georgia’s pursuit of the 2012 BCS National Championship. The win would be huge for the Yellow Jackets, who have new life in 2012 as they chase an ACC Title and a BCS Bowl berth.

We believe that the Yellow Jackets are a very dangerous team that is capable of beating anyone in the country with their high powered triple option rushing attack. Quarterback Tevin Washington has been throwing the ball more lately, which makes the triple option nearly impossible to defend. We believe that if the Jackets can slow down opposing offenses with their defense, they have a very good opportunity to ruin two team’s title hopes, while hopefully taking a title of their own.