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Updated: August 18, 5:17 PM ET A bowl bid looks out of reach for Tech By Gregg Doyel Special to ESPN.com |
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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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2002 overall record: 7-6 Conference record: 4-4 Returning starters: Offense: 8, Defense: 7, Kicker/Punter: 0 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Tony Hollings* (633 yds) Passing: A.J. Suggs* (2,242 yds) Receiving: Kerry Watkins (1,050 yds) Tackles: Daryl Smith* (99) Sacks: Daryl Smith* and Eric Henderson* (5 each) Interceptions: Jeremy Muyres (5) Outlook: It's not pretty. The Jackets weren't going to be terribly good this season regardless, but things got worse in the offseason when they lost offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to Maryland, and then 10 players -- including star tailback Tony Hollings -- to academics. Also, former All-ACC DE Greg Gathers isn't a sure thing to return to form (or at all) from a kidney ailment that cost him most of last season. The cherry on top? Ineffective incumbent QB A.J. Suggs apparently has been beaten out by Damarius Bilbo, last seen tossing four interceptions in the Silicon Valley Football Classic loss to Fresno State. Key game: Georgia Tech is going to finish in the middle or bottom tier of the ACC. The question is, which one? The answer could come on Sept. 20 when a similarly fated team, Clemson, visits. The outcome will shed light on the ACC season to come, for both teams. Keep an eye on: True freshman TB Rashaun Grant was the prize of the Jackets' 2003 recruiting class, and considering the team's need at tailback, don't be surprised if this guy is starting early in the season. With Bilbo given the first chance at quarterback, the Jackets will need a reliable ground game. It's a good year if. . .: The Jackets probably aren't a bowl team, so if they can sneak into anything -- say, the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise -- it would be an overachieving season. Jackets fans won't like that, and nor should they, but it is what it is. Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for the Charlotte Observer.
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