By William Qualkinbush.

A few years ago, it seemed inevitable that Georgia Tech would be a mainstay atop the Coastal Division of the ACC. In 2009, Paul Johnson won an ACC title running an unconventional offense with players originally acquired for use in a completely different system. His blast from the past seemed to forecast good things in the future, since Johnson would soon add players of his own choosing into the fold.

Fast forward half a decade, and things have not quite worked out that way. Johnson’s only other division title came courtesy of ineligibilities from the top two teams in the Coastal, and some have suggested another season of mere adequacy may signal his unceremonious departure. But a new quarterback and another year in a tried and true defensive system may give Johnson a longer lifeline beyond the end of the 2014 campaign.

Johnson has been in constant search for an answer at quarterback since Josh Nesbitt graduated five years ago. He hopes Justin Thomas is the one to provide that answer. Thomas is a sophomore that came to Tech after fielding offers from the nation’s best programs. The reason was that Johnson wanted him as a quarterback, while many other programs saw him as a wideout or a cornerback.

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Thomas played in ten games as a backup last season, attempting just 17 passes and averaging over seven yards per rush. As is always the case with option quarterbacks, the ability to hold onto the football will dictate the trajectory of Thomas’ season. His critical thinking skills and ability to read defenses will be paramount, as well.

Experience returns at running back that should provide some relief to Thomas. Big-bodied B-back Zach Laskey is back to plow through the middle and open up running lanes for quicker backs, like seniors Synjyn Days, B.J. Bostic, and Deon Hill. Even without super all-around back Robert Godhigh, this should be a veteran group capable of putting up big numbers in Johnson’s offense, where rushing yards will come in bunches regardless of who is toting the rock.

This could be the most experienced receiving corps Johnson has ever had at Georgia Tech. Godhigh led the team in receptions and yards, but all three wide receivers that produced in 2013 are back. The leader is DeAndre Smelter, the former baseball player that has drawn the interest of NFL scouts. Smelter is more possession-oriented, while junior Darren Waller is a big-play threat who averaged more than 21 yards per catch last season. Along with sophomore Micheal Summers, the trio combined for 923 receiving yards and even touchdowns. If Thomas can hit his target—a challenge for Tech quarterbacks over the years—there should be enough talent to keep the football moving.

The whole operation goes as the offensive line goes. Georgia Tech’s cut-blocking and unique road-grading style is well known, and three starters return to lead the way. As usual, pass protection is an issue due to the kinds of players Johnson likes to recruit up front. If the team falls behind, this deficiency makes it difficult to come back.

Tech’s defense is going to a base nickel look that deploys five defensive backs in an effort to both take advantage of its athleticism and hide its lack of general size. Last season’s top playmakers are all gone. Jeremiah Attaochu flourished as an edge rusher last season, while Jemea Thomas was a steady ball hawk at safety. Without them, coordinator Ted Roof will have to look elsewhere for leadership.

That leadership was supposed to come from Jabari Hunt-Days, who spent the spring transitioning from linebacker to end to replace Attaochu. But Hunt-Days was ruled academically ineligible in May, meaning tackle Adam Gotsis will be heavily relied on at the point of attack.

The junior Gotsis had 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season, so he is capable of creating havoc. But the rest of the front is unproven and has some big shoes to fill after last year’s Yellow Jackets registered 83 tackles for loss and 34 sacks. There are plenty of available bodies, but they lack experience.

These issues exist at linebacker, as well. Senior Quayshawn Nealy leads all returners in tackles with 66 and is virtually the only returner at the position that made an impact a season ago. Rising sophomore Paul Davis showed flashes of ability with his 41 tackles, including five for loss.

The reason Roof feels comfortable using five defensive backs is the depth and experience at both corner and safety. Returning starters D.J. White and Demond Smith—both juniors—had productive years in 2013. Sophomore Chris Milton will compete for time at cornerback and has shown a knack for making spectacular plays, as evidenced by his three blocked kicks last season. Safeties Jamal Golden and Isaiah Johnson were injured all year, so their respective returns should bring some steadiness.

Special teams has never been a strong suit for Johnson’s Yellow Jacket teams, but Harrison Butker hit ten of his 14 field goal attempts last season. He should improve on that percentage, as should punter Ryan Rodwell in his bounce-back effort after a redshirt season.

Clemson destroyed Georgia Tech on both sides of the ball in Death Valley last season en route to a 55-31 victory that was much worse than the final score indicated. For Tech to close the gap, it will need to be more disciplined, more capable in pass protection, and less turnover-prone. Johnson may need those improvements if he wishes to try again in 2015.