When Paul Johnson came to Georgia Tech a couple of years ago the Yellow Jacket program was mired in mediocrity. Former coach Chan Gailey was always good for 7 wins, a bowl game, and loss to Georgia.
Johnson has already won an ACC championship in just in his second year. Is it conceivable that Johnson could one day get Georgia Tech to the top of the mountain in College football?
Georgia Tech has won 4 national titles (1917, 1928, 1952 and 1990) The 1990 title is a more recent championship than other notable football powers like Notre Dame's (1988), Georgia's (1980), and Penn State's (1986) last title. It can be done at Georgia Tech.
ACC blogger Heather Dinich of ESPN in her article "Can Georgia Tech win another National Title" asks the very same question.
She feels it's possible but sites two reasons as being the main obstacles, the rise of other ACC programs and Georgia Tech's inability to pass the consistently.
I would agree with Miami and North Carolina improving and Virginia Tech not going anywhere, that it would be exceedingly difficult for Georgia Tech to go undefeated in the Coastal Division. There is virtually no chance that an ACC team makes it to the national with 1 loss, but I would somewhat disagree about the ability to pass being an issue.
Georgia Tech's triple option offense has been stopped cold only a handful of times during Paul Johnson's tenure. Iowa and LSU come to mind in the bowl games, but I would argue those were also the two best defensive lines Georgia Tech has faced in the last 2 years. In addition Tech's offensive line is still relatively new to the blocking schemes required by the triple option offense.
I expect if Johnson feels it's necessary for his quaterback's to throw the ball more he will do so, but the offense will always be at least a 70% running offense.
In order for Georgia Tech to legitimately consider winning a national title, it's their defense that must improve. Alabama and Texas ranked in the top 5 in defense in 2009; Georgia Tech was 54th. It would have been lower had the offense not finished 3rd in the country in time of possession.
Johnson quickly addressed the defensive needs by hiring experienced former Virginia head coach Al Groh. Groh will install his signature 3-4 defense, and Tech should see an improvement there.
It's premature to talk of any national title for Georgia Tech in the foreseeable future, but there are 3 things I am sure of.
1) Winning a national title at Georgia Tech is possible.
2) It can be done with the triple option offense
3) The Jackets must improve on defense, and with Al Groh as defensive coordinator this is a step in the right direction.
