ACC Football 2015 Season Preview and Predictions

Sep 6, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; A general view of a yard marker with the ACC logo during the first quarter against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 73-7. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; A general view of a yard marker with the ACC logo during the first quarter against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 73-7. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 9
Next
Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson talks to a media member after his victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs 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 head coach Paul Johnson talks to a media member after his victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year: Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech

I’m going to get a little bit ahead of myself here in the predictions in saying that I fully expect Georgia Tech to repeat as champions of the Coastal Division this season. Will they win the ACC? Well, we’ll delve into that in a little bit. But I do expect them to be in Charlotte the first weekend of December, and because of this, Paul Johnson will earn the honors of Coach of the Year in the ACC for the second season in a row.

The Yellow Jackets return 13 starters on on this team, a team that put on quite the impressive performance on the big stage in the Orange Bowl win over Mississippi State. However, the running back position will feature a lot of newcomers, which some might believe poses a problem for Johnson and his team. But, even dating back to his days building Navy, one thing that we’ve learned about Johnson is that he doesn’t rebuild in the backfield with his running backs, he just reloads. He’s able to manipulate his triple-option offense in ways that best suit whoever he plans on giving the ball to. So while some see new running backs in that system as a potential problem, chances are it probably won’t be.

Oh, and not to mention, under center touching the ball on every play will be quarterback Justin Thomas, who may run this offense better than anyone under Johnson that we’ve ever seen before. So, honestly, don’t expect this offense to take that big of a step back — if any steps behind at all.

When all is said and done and in the books for 2015 and the Yellow Jackets are back in Charlotte competing for the ACC title, Johnson will have more than earned Coach of the Year honors once again.

Next: Which Game Will All Eyes Be On?