A complete overhaul was done on the defensive side of the ball. Al Groh was hired to run the defense after formally being the head coach at Virginia. A 3-4 technique will be applied to try and coral opposing rush offenses. Tech gave up over 150 yards/game on the ground, which is far too many if the 2010 squad wants to have success. Only one underclassmen is projected to start so this is an experienced unit. Eight starters do return, but they lost two heavy hitters in end Derrick Morgan (12.5 sacks) and safety Morgan Burnett (team high 4 interceptions). The secondary has six players who have started at least one game including third team ACC corner Jerrard Tarrant. Where the pass rush will come from is a concern as LB Steven Sylvester was second on the team in sacks last season with three. The top tackler from a year ago, LB Brad Jefferson, returns hoping to build on the 95 tackles he collected in 09'. I expect the defense to put up better numbers and show improvement as a whole.
Georgia Tech will be battle tested on the road after this season cumulates. Five of their six road games could possibly be against opponents ranked in the Top 25 at the time. They open ACC play with North Carolina on the road and have to travel to Blacksburg, VA to clash with preseason Coastal division favorite Virginia Tech on Nov 4th. Defending their home turf will be extremely important if Tech wants to have any shot at returning to the title game. Stealing a couple wins on the road will go along way also. I see the Ramblin' Wreck finishing with an 8-4 record.