Tech picked to repeat as division winner
PINEHURST, N.C. - For a change, Georgia Tech is highly thought of by the media assembled at the ACC Kickoff, but they also think much about Tech's opposition this season.
The Yellow Jackets were heavy favorites to win the ACC Coastal Division in the annual preseason media poll, receiving 96 of 158 first-place votes. It’s the first time in coach Paul Johnson’s tenure that the Jackets have been picked to win the division. (On the heels of their 2009 ACC championships, they were picked to finish third in 2010 behind Virginia Tech and Miami.)
Tech has won or shared the division championship four out of Johnson’s seven seasons.
Tech received the third-most votes to win the ACC championship, receiving 20 votes, behind Clemson (84) and three-time defending champion Florida State (41).
Tech will play both Clemson and Florida State this season as well as the usual round robin in the Coastal.
Tech quarterback Justin Thomas was third in preseason player of the year voting with 13 votes, behind Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson (69) and Pittsburgh running back James Conner (46).
About the Author
Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.
