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Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/solidverbal
E-mail: solidverbal@gmail.com
Voicemail: 206-338-1784
Website: http://www.solidverbal.com

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E-mail: solidverbal@gmail.com
Voicemail: 206-338-1784
Website: http://www.solidverbal.com

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E-mail: solidverbal@gmail.com
Voicemail: 206-338-1784
Website: http://www.solidverbal.com

First Impresions

While the ACC’s ability to compete with other BCS conferences remains somewhat in question, there’s no question that this year’s race within the conference will be wide open.  Though most publications go the safe route and pick Virginia Tech, there are really a handful of teams that could win the league; Georgia Tech is very quietly one of them.

The media drumbeat isn’t all that loud for Tech, primarily because Paul Johnson‘s arrival meant the beginning of a new era (or old era, depending on your point of view) of offense mostly robbed of any flashiness.  However, despite predicted awkwardness in transitioning to the triple option in ’08, Johnson led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-4 record, which may have been the best coaching job all last season.  Yes, his offense may seem boring and predictable, but unlike Chan Gailey‘s version of a boring and predictable scheme, it has an identity… and IT WORKED.

The Yellow Jackets will have their work cut out for them in navigating a schedule filled with quality opponents.  But Coach Johnson proved in his first year that his offense can win games with the right personnel, and you’d have to think that the trend could continue in 2009.

Last Year

Hello, Paul Johnson.  The former Navy coach took over and switched the offense to a flexbone format led by Josh Nesbitt, who answered the call in a major way, passing/rushing for roughly 1,500 yards and 9 TDs from scrimmage.  Then-sophmore RB Jonathan Dwyer benefited greatly from the shift in philosophy, rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 12 TDs, but most importantly, averaging 7.0 yards per carry.  The team, as a whole, reaped the rewards and put together a 9-4 season, including wins over Clemson, Florida State and Georgia (for the first time in seven years) and a trip to the Chic-Fil-A Bowl.

The team’s only losses came against Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia and LSU in the bowl game.  So much for a throwaway, transition season, huh?

People

Much attention will be paid to quarterback Josh Nesbitt, but most people would agree that the true playmaker on offense is junior RB Jonathan Dwyer.  For lack of better terms, Dwyer is a bowling ball with eyes — measuring out at 6’0″, 228 lbs — who figures to make yet another stride toward becoming a household name.  But he’s not the only weapon.  Paul Johnson will probably try and improve upon his team’s measly FIVE TD passes in 2008, meaning more looks for Demaryius Thomas.

Defensively, junior safety Morgan Burnett, who achieved All-American honors in ’08, figures to be a leader on defense, as well as a potential Jim Thorpe Award finalist.  Beyond that, listen for names like Derrick Morgan, Sedric Griffin, and Dominique Reese, who should prosper at CB from the ACC’s lack of gamebreaking receivers. The question about this team headed into ’09 is its offensive line.  We’ll see which names emerge.

This Year

In short, the tone for Tech’s season will be set over a three-week span starting on September 10th, when the Yellow Jackets host Clemson, travel to Miami, and then host North Carolina.  But the schedule doesn’t quit there.  Tech has schedule with depth in ’09, also traveling to Tallahassee, hosting Virginia Tech, traveling to Virginia, and hosting Georgia to close out the year.  It will be no picnic getting back to nine wins.

Most of this team’s questions remain on the defensive side of the ball.  Tech needs to find answers at the interior line in order to stop opponents in a conference that know how to run the football.  If it can do this, then the sky’s the limit.  This team has the pieces to win the ACC.

Conclusions

Georgia Tech has a certain charm to it now that it’s running the triple option.  It is also a change of pace from every other team in the ACC, which absolutely makes it a thorn in everyone’s side.  Look for the Yellow Jackets to have their best season since 1998.

Prediction

10-2

Game Highlights Set To Young Jeezy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMsL9whyYg

--Ty

Throughout August, we will be counting down the top 25 teams (as listed here) going into the 2009 season. Today, we cut up our t-shirts and don cowgirl hats to celebrate all things Seminole. Luckily, Chief Osceola had this very image in mind when he fought for the freedom and safety of his people in the mid 1830s. Wooooo!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Impression

Is this the year? It seems like it could be, though you can never truly be optimistic until everyone is positive Drew Weatherford is off campus for good. 

Although things appear to be taking shape in Tallahassee for a leap in ’09, I still hesitate to fully get behind the team until some sort of statement is made against a good team. Luckily, Bobby Bowden will take that literally and will continue to make as many verbal statements during his awesome in-game interviews. 

I’ve always liked Florida State. They used to be able to harness their great mix of scary fast defenders and scary fast offensive skill players, and now they just have those kinds of players that occasionally break free to wreak havoc. If Jimbo Fisher ever gets to take over and puts together a quality staff, the rest of the ACC will immediately go back to fighting for second. 

Last Year

After demolishing two cupcakes, FSU put up a whopping three points at home in a loss to Wake Forest. Seriously. Three points. Christian Ponder and D’Vontrey Richardson went ahead and completed 12 of 36 passes along the way. Woops. 

Luckily, the ‘Noles bounced back against four slightly above average opponents and finished out October 6-1, including a win over eventual 10 game winner and conference champion, Virginia Tech. It’s a respectable 6-1. 

A brutal game was fumbled away late against Georgia Tech which, mind you, is heartbreaking, but at least it didn’t come against Duke. 

Another good win over Clemson was followed by another disappointing home loss, this time to Boston College. Florida State should never lose to BC. Ever. This is the type of game that FSU absolutely needs to rip apart if they’re on their way back. 

A solid Maryland road win fed into getting predictably demolished by Florida. The season ended on a high note with the Seminoles blowing out a brat-filled Wisconsin team that looked to be running in slow motion during most of the Champs Sports Bowl. Promising. 

People

No team should ever be able to run consistently on Florida State. They recruit and send too many genetically superior players to the NFL. This year, look for Kevin McNeil and Markus White to be the new names coming off the edge.

As always, though, the returning talent is great (CB Patrick Robinson, LB Dekoda Watson), but consistent play is still needed around them for the ‘Noles to even think about ten wins. 

Things on offense should continue to get easier, as FSU may have the best line in the ACC. Unfortunately, they replace Antone Smith at tailback (with Jermaine Thomas), lose their starting two receivers (Preston Parker, Greg Carr), and are still dealing with uncertainty over the identity of the offense. That said, everyone looks better behind an experienced, dominant line. 

It’s worth noting that E.J. Manuel sits behind Ponder at QB. Manuel was a huge recruiting get for FSU last season, and although he’s still pretty raw, he could see the field situationally. 

This Year

BRUTAL. Six of the first seven games are losable. Seriously. They open with Miami at home, and after another home game against Jacksonville State, they go @BYU, South Florida, @Boston College, Georgia Tech, @North Carolina. Not fun at all. If they’re 5-2 to start the year, it’s reason to celebrate. 

A road game at North Carolina State leads into road games @Clemson and then @Wake Forest, and the year finishes with the same two teams that it did in ’08: Maryland and then Florida (in Gainesville). 

The ‘Noles must MUST win at home and steal at least one early on the road. Boston College is beatable and a win at North Carolina should be impressive, especially given the high expectations for UNC. I’d be happy taking one on the road against Clemson or Wake, and finishing 9-3. A 9-3 year is a big deal with this schedule. 

Conclusion

As I said earlier, Florida State won’t fully turn the corner and become what they think they should be (again) until staffing is overhauled. It’s not to say that Bobby Bowden, Chuck Amato, Mickey Andrews, et al. didn’t preside over the greatest era of FSU Football, but eventually everything needs to be overhauled.

Prediction 

9-3, but I absolutely believe in the annual bonehead Florida State loss. It doesn’t feel like football season has really started until you do a double take when looking at a Florida State loss on the ACC scoreboard. Ahh, Fall. 

Game Highlights Set to Unfortunate Music

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8p5HbtuUdg

-Dan

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