Georgia Tech
Paul Johnson's second season includes a hefty dose of SEC opponents with games at Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, plus a home game against rival Georgia. The Yellow Jackets also play consecutive, important Thursday night games early in September against Clemson and at Miami.
Georgia Tech could be poised for a big season because this schedule breaks nicely for the Yellow Jackets. In addition to Mississippi State and Vandy, Tech has easy ACC games on the road at Virginia and Duke.
Many of the strongest opponents — North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Georgia — are scheduled to visit Atlanta. Although some are concerned that teams will be better prepared to stop the triple option in Johnson's second season, the fact is teams play against that offense just once a year, and it causes problems.
This is looking like a 6-2 season that could put Georgia Tech in first place in the Coastal Division. Expect a 9-3 record overall.
| Sept. 5 | Jacksonville State |
| Sept. 10 | Clemson |
| Sept. 17 | at Miami |
| Sept. 26 | North Carolina |
| Oct. 3 | @ Mississippi State |
| Oct. 10 | @ Florida State |
| Oct. 17 | Virginia Tech |
| Oct. 24 | @ Virginia |
| Oct. 31 | @ Vanderbilt |
| Nov. 7 | Wake Forest |
| Nov. 14 | @ Duke |
| Nov. 21 | bye |
| Nov. 28 | Georgia |
Virginia
Virginia doesn't seem likely to be a bowl contender next season based on its returning talent or its schedule. Quarterback Jameel Sewell will have to be outstanding to get the Cavaliers to .500 against this schedule.
Nonconference games against Texas Christian and at Southern Mississippi are dangerous. The Cavaliers also seem in danger of losing all their ACC road games — at UNC, Maryland, Miami and Clemson.
Home games against William & Mary, Indiana, Duke and Boston College make it likely Virginia will finish 4-8 overall, 2-6 in the ACC, and face a difficult decision about the future of coach Al Groh.
| Sept. 5 | William & Mary |
| Sept. 12 | Texas Christian |
| Sept. 19 | @ Southern Mississippi |
| Sept. 26 | bye |
| Oct. 3 | @ UNC |
| Oct. 10 | Indiana |
| Oct. 17 | @ Maryland |
| Oct. 24 | Georgia Tech |
| Oct. 31 | Duke |
| Nov. 7 | @ Miami |
| Nov. 14 | Boston College |
| Nov. 21 | @ Clemson |
| Nov. 28 | Virginia Tech |
Miami
Coach Randy Shannon jettisoned quarterback Robert Marve and offensive coordinator after the '08 season. Both moves should help the Canes improve from 7-6 in '08.
The schedule includes a guaranteed "L" on Oct. 3 against Oklahoma with probable wins over Florida A&M, Duke, Central Florida and Virginia.
With an improved road effort, the Canes could contend for the Coastal. Eight wins is a more realistic goal.
| Sept. 7 | @ Florida State |
| Sept. 12 | Bye |
| Sept. 17 | Georgia Tech |
| Sept. 26 | @ Virginia Tech |
| Oct. 3 | Oklahoma |
| Oct. 10 | Florida A&M |
| Oct. 17 | @ Central Florida |
| Oct. 24 | Clemson |
| Oct. 31 | @ Wake Forest |
| Nov. 7 | Virginia |
| Nov. 14 | @ UNC |
| Nov. 21 | Duke |
| Nov. 28 | @ South Florida |
Virginia Tech
The Hokies have the toughest nonconference schedule of any ACC team.
The two-time defending champions open with Alabama in Atlanta and host Marshall and Nebraska. They also have to go to ECU on Nov. 5.
The good news is that ECU game is on a Thursday, when the Hokies almost never lose. They get the Heels on a Thursday, too.
As long as the Hokies handle the opening loss to Alabama better than Clemson, they'll do no worse than 10-2.
| Sept. 5 | vs. Alabama (@ Atlanta) |
| Sept. 12 | Marshall |
| Sept. 19 | Nebraska |
| Sept. 26 | Miami |
| Oct. 3 | @ Duke |
| Oct. 10 | Boston College |
| Oct. 17 | @ Georgia Tech |
| Oct. 24 | bye |
| Oct. 29 | UNC |
| Nov. 5 | @ ECU |
| Nov. 14 | @ Maryland |
| Nov. 21 | N.C. State |
| Nov. 28 | @ Virginia |
