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ACC Football: Top 5 teams that can win the conference in 2015

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 27, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) prior to the snap during the first quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) prior to the snap during the first quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets players celebrate their victory in the Orange Bowl game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets players celebrate their victory in the Orange Bowl game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

One team that basically came out of nowhere to give Florida State and Clemson a run for their money last season had to be Georgia Tech.

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    • The Yellow Jackets broke the mold of “same old teams” atop the ACC as they ended up winning six conference contests and 11 games overall.

    Paul Johnson has been a solid coach for Georgia Tech over seven years now and last season had to be his best as he made it to a New Years Six game and won the Orange Bowl — his second appearance, during his tenure with the Yellow Jackets, at the Orange Bowl.

    Junior quarterback Justin Thomas was definitely a run-first guy. In fact, he finished the 2014 season with more rushing attempts (190) than he did pass attempts (187). That doesn’t mean he wasn’t successful with both, however, as he passed for over 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,000 yards — leading the team — and eight scores.

    The spread option offense is Johnson’s specialty and he has the perfect quarterback running the show. As for the two running back position, the two top rushers from last year, other than Thomas, are gone, leaving that position up for debate.

    Just like the Wolfpack, the Yellow Jackets’ defense returns every starter in the secondary — but they hope to be much improved as they ranked just 87th against the pass a year ago.

    Returning 15 starters from a 9-4 team has to be a good sign for the Yellow Jackets in 2015.

    Next: 2. Florida State Seminoles

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