A game-by-game look at Georgia Tech’s schedule

Yellow Jackets win.

Sept. 6, at Tulane, 4 p.m.

Question: Why is Georgia Tech traveling to this game? Did Johnson tick off somebody in the athletic department? Tech should win this game, but the fact Tulane actually isn’t a bad team — it went to a bowl last season for the first time since 2002 — and is opening a new on-campus stadium this week doesn’t make it easy. The Jackets should be able to control things with their running game, as long as they don’t turn the ball over. The Green Wave’s offense is expected to be led by quarterback Nick Montana, although there’s some question whether he’ll keep his starting job, bloodlines notwithstanding (yes, he’s Joe Montana’s son).

Yellow Jackets win.

Sept. 13, Georgia Southern, noon

What do Paul Johnson and Will Muschamp have in common? They’ll both remind their players that Georgia Southern beat Florida last year (Johnson one week, Muschamp every week). Johnson was a hero when he coached at Georgia Southern. But Georgia Southern is stepping up now to FBS and into the Sun Belt. The Eagles even want to try this radical thing called the forward pass. Imagine if they attempt more throws than Tech.

Yellow Jackets win.

Sept 20, at Virginia Tech, TBD

If the Jackets aren’t 3-0 when they get to this week, there’s a problem because now the schedule gets tough: Virginia Tech, Miami and Duke in consecutive games. The Hokies are not the dominant program they used to be. After going 11-1 to open the 2011 season, the Hokies dropped their final two that season and actually are barely over .500 since (15-13 overall, 9-7 in the ACC). But coach Frank Beamer remains one of the nation’s best coaches and the Hokies should be improved over last season. Key: How well the rebuilt front seven fares against the Jackets’ running game.

Yellow Jackets lose.

Oct. 4, Miami, TBD

Coach Al Golden took over at Miami three years ago and two things have happened, both predictable: 1) Miami has gotten better; 2) Everybody jumped on the bandwagon a little too soon. The Hurricanes went from 7-0 and a No. 7 ranking last season to losing four of their last six games. Just a guess: They’ll be pretty good but not great again this season, and they won’t win the ACC Coastal, as some are projecting. But Tech will struggle to contain running back Duke Johnson.

Yellow Jackets lose.

Oct. 11, Duke, TBD

David Cutcliffe has taken Duke to two consecutive bowl games, including a 10-4 record last season. For that he is the coach of the millennium. Cutcliffe’s expertise is on offense, particularly at quarterback. But as great a story as this is, the Blue Devils still have issues on defense, they’re not physical and they struggle against the run. Last season, the Jackets ran for 344 yards and won 38-14 win in Durham. Does that sound like a feel-good story?

Yellow Jackets win.

Oct. 18, at North Carolina, TBD

Good timing for Tech. It catches the Tar Heels after they’ve played consecutive games against Clemson (road), Virginia Tech and Notre Dame (road). So the Jackets’ best hope is that UNC is a little beat up by this week. The Heels likely will have one of the ACC’s best offenses but it may struggle up front on defense, particularly in pass rushing. Going against the grain here, but I’m thinking they pull this one out.

Yellow Jackets win.

Oct. 25, at Pittsburgh, TBD

Logic suggests Tech would lose in Chapel Hill but win at Pitt (against an expected lesser team). Logic — feh. I think the Heels are overrated. I would also would pick Tech to defeat the Panthers if not for having a hard time believing they can win consecutive conference road games. Pitt is suspect on defense, but could be athletic and dangerous on offense, led by quarterback Chad Voytik and receiver Tyler Boyd. Expect a high-scoring game. Tech comes up a little short.

Yellow Jackets lose.

Nov. 1, Virginia, TBD

About the only two things everybody seems to agree on in the ACC is that Florida State will be great and Virginia will stink. Again. Coach Mike London is 8-24 in the ACC (18-31 overall) in his four seasons. In his defense, he took over a program that had been sliding under predecessor Al Groh (not that Groh saw it that way). Expect the Cavaliers to again have the worst offense of any school in the ACC not named Wake Forest.

Yellow Jackets win.

Nov. 8, at North Carolina State, TBD

Dave Doeren went 8-0 in conference play (Mid-American) in his last season at Northern Illinois. He went 0-8 in conference play (ACC) in his first at North Carolina State. I’m not sure what’s going to be left of him after the Wolfpack’s first two ACC games against Florida State and Clemson this season, but if the team can still function by November, Wake Forest will be waiting for them. This game shouldn’t be a problem for Tech. N.C. State allowed 30 points and 400 yards per game in 2013 and talent remains an issue.

Yellow Jackets win.

Nov. 15, Clemson, TBD

The Tigers are always talented, but they lost a lot off of last season’s team, including quarterback Tajh Boyd and receiver Sammy Watkins, so it’s hard to imagine them not taking a step back. Also, Paul Johnson is 4-3 against Dabo Swinney since 2008 (if you discount that the ACC championship was officially voided by the NCAA). Clemson’s expected defensive strength: secondary and pass rush. Expected weakness: linebackers and run defense. Translation: Tech has a shot, particularly at home. Taking a shot here.

Yellow Jackets win

Nov. 29, at Georgia, TBD

Johnson won in Athens in his first season. He hasn’t won since. Strange things happen in rivalry games because, well, they’re rivalry games. But most of these Georgia players have seen the option by now, and I have a feeling they won’t miss nearly as many tackles as when Todd Grantham ran the defense. On the other side of the ball: The Jackets have no answer for Georgia running back Todd Gurley (assuming he is healthy this week).

Yellow Jackets lose