Technical Tidbits 4/6

Last season's tremendous 11-3 result could have paved the way for Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets to get even more playoff buzz during the 2015 season. If Tech does manage to go 13-0 this season, that'd be fantastic. In fact, that would be more than fantastic because of what it would do for the culture of the program. That said, however, one successful season doesn't give us enough reason to expect a playoff berth. I can see a scenario where it happens, but I can also see about a thousand where it doesn't. My only fear is that voters will use Florida State's blowout loss in the Rose Bowl to further discredit the ACC -- there were already people who thought that FSU shouldn't get in despite winning out, and it seems like even more questions would be raised if a team went 13-0 this season in the ACC. FSU had the benefit of being the defending champs and featuring the defending Heisman winner, so I see any ACC team making it in as a longshot if the media sees better options elsewhere.

Rising sophomore offensive lineman Chris Griffin, who started 6 games for Tech last season at right tackle, will likely miss the entire 2015 season after sustaining a knee injury and having a subsequent surgery to correct it. Griffin already redshirted during what would've been his true freshman season back in 2013, so the upcoming season will represent nothing more than a lost year of eligibility for the 6'-6" tackle. As far as a replacement is concerned, there are plenty of players ready and willing to fill the void left by Griffin. One player who I expect to take full advantage of the situation is redshirt freshman Trey Klock, one of the most solid recruits of the previous cycle. Klock has been lauded for his toughness and mobility, both of which figure to earn him some snaps this season.

Junior linebacker P.J. Davis has quickly transitioned from an underrated and lightly-recruited two-star prospect to the "Tasmanian Devil" of Georgia Tech's defense. The nickname, which was bestowed upon him by Tech's resident Aussie Adam Gotsis, seems more than fitting for a player like Davis, who seems to be everywhere on the field at once. Davis started all but one game last season, leading the team with an amazing 119 total tackles and finishing second in terms of sacks and tackles for a loss, with 4 and 8.5 respectively. I expect an equally fantastic season from him this year, especially considering how much more talented the rest of the defense promises to be.

Former Yellow Jackets Jarrett Jack and Thaddeus Young, both with the Brooklyn Nets, made their return to Atlanta on Saturday night to take on the Hawks but were greeted rudely by the best team in the East. The Hawks beat down on the Nets by a final score of 131-99, the team's highest point total of the season, and in doing so crushed the homecomings of two of the best athletes in recent Tech history. Jarrett Jack, the journeyman point guard, finished with 14 points and 6 assists while Young added 14 points and 8 rebounds.

Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers finally put an end to Kentucky's rampage through the NCAA, scratching the Wildcats' chance at a title and initiating what Twitter will be calling "38 and Bo" for probably the rest of the season. While the loss does mean that I won't be winning any money from my bracket contest, it also means that yet another SEC team choked in the Final Four of their respective sport, which is a win for America. Duke and Wisconsin will play for the title tonight, and I'll be rooting for Duke all the way just to prove that the ACC is the best conference.

Should Georgia Tech have its eyes on the playoff or focus on something smaller? What odds do you give Tech of making the playoffs?

Have a great Monday!