ACC: People can doubt option, but Jackets wear it well

Buried in the opening week blitz is a schedule turnaround so violent that someone is likely to pull a hammy just considering it.

"You have Mars here and you have Venus here," Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said while spreading his hands when told about Clemson's first two opponents. "Very difficult."

The Tigers open the season Sept. 5 at home against Middle Tennessee State, then travel to Georgia Tech on Sept. 10. Now, let's make an incision into that schedule and reveal what is inside. That's Middle Tennessee with the promise of throwing the ball all over the lot under new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Then, five days later, the Tigers have to face perhaps the most lethal option offense in the country.

In addition to those sore hamstrings, heads will be spinning as Clemson defenders' minds jerk to a stop, and start chugging in the opposite direction. Passing to running, air to ground with two educated offensive minds pulling the strings.

Franklin has written books and made a fortune selling videos about his spread option offense. Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is in the second year of proving what a lot of folks said he couldn't do.

That is, successfully run the old triple option in a BCS conference. The offense was the engine behind Georgia Tech winning nine games and beating Georgia, both for the first time in eight years. Navy never finished lower than third nationally in rushing offense during Johnson's six years in Annapolis. Now on a big-time stage, the scheme is past the annoying stage for rival defensive coordinators.

It's in their heads.

"My favorite is [hearing], 'Well, you're not going to sneak up on anybody,'" Johnson said. "If we snuck up on anybody, they weren't paying attention. There was 21 years of tape out there for them to look at."

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Johnson has a logical (and confident) answer to most every question about his offense. In the big time for the first time, Johnson's offense finished No. 4 nationally in rushing last season, averaging more than 273 yards per game and confusing the hell out of defensive coordinators.

"He's the man, he's the guru," Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer said. "The offense might become a global thing. He might change the whole country."

It's actually been 24 years since Johnson began running the triple option as offensive coordinator at I-AA Georgia Southern. That was 1985 -- the year Oklahoma won the national championship with the triple option, by the way -- and progressed through stays at Hawaii, Navy and, now, Georgia Tech.

In Johnson's first season in Atlanta, Dwyer became the ACC offensive player of the year and set himself up as a Heisman candidate in 2009. The next step is to win the ACC. After tying Virginia Tech for the Coastal Division title (the eventual conference champ Hokies won the tiebreaker), Georgia Tech is expected to contend again.

Playing Clemson coming off Middle Tennessee is an advantage, but otherwise there are few breaks. The Jackets get Florida State and Miami on the road as well as three SEC opponents -- Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Georgia.

The lingering feeling is now that the offense has made a lap through the ACC that its effectiveness will diminish. The triple option, by its nature, is heavily balanced toward the run. Georgia Tech averaged less than 100 yards passing and tied for the third-fewest touchdown passes nationally (five). Still, the Jackets led the ACC in total offense.

"People say you have to be balanced," Johnson said. "I don't. I want to be good."

The offense took its biggest hit in the Chik-fil-A Bowl when LSU shut it down during a 38-3 victory.

"LSU beats us so therefore the offense is null and void ...," Johnson said sarcastically. "You guys keep telling me it won't work.

"There's the [feeling] out there that so-and-so showed the game plan, now [defenses] know how to stop it," Johnson said. "If somebody beats South Carolina with Coach Spurrier throwing it around, is that the way to stop South Carolina?"

The triple option remains the ultimate change-up in a world full of fast balls. With only the service academies and Tech fully committed to it, defenses have a one-week upheaval in their preparation.

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"Schematically, in three days -- because that's all you really get -- that is very hard to prepare for," Muschamp said. "It goes totally against what you have to prepare for week to week to week."

Most every offense in the country incorporates at least some option principles. When Tim Tebow runs, it looks strangely like the old Single Wing offense.

"Unless you've got some big gawky quarterback who can't run, most people have an option of some kind just to bother you with it," Texas' Mack Brown said. "They'll have a rule that they have to run it three times a game whether they need it or not, just so you have to work on it."

Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio is familiar with the option from his time with Paul Pasqualoni at Syracuse. Can the true triple option win a conference championship in 2009?

"Absolutely," Addazio said. "It's devastating to a defense. Are you kidding me?"

Not in Atlanta. Not anymore.

Offensive Player of the Year (tie)

Russell Wilson, QB, North Carolina State: It's hard to ignore 17 touchdowns and only one interception in 275 throws as a redshirt freshman. Wilson enters 2009 21 passes short of Drew Weatherford's conference record for passes without an interception (270). After starting 2-6, coach Tom O'Brien leaned on Wilson. Four consecutive wins and a bowl berth followed. With freshman Mike Glennon pressing for playing time, Wilson be even better in '09.

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech: Dwyer flourished in the option, proving himself to be the tough, hard-nosed runner that Johnson loves. Dwyer established himself as an NFL prospect and Heisman candidate. The best thing about his 1,395 yards was that he averaged seven yards per carry.

Defensive Player of the Year

Jason Worilds, DE, Virginia Tech: The answer to these high-flying offenses is a speed rusher who can at least put pressure on a passer. Worilds did more than that in '08 getting eight sacks and 18½ tackles for loss in the nation's No. 7 total defense.

Predicted order of finish

Coastal

1. Virginia Tech: Frank Beamer doesn't get enough credit. The Hokies have become the dominant program in a league that was formed to showcase Miami and Florida State. In the last five seasons he has won 52 games and three ACC titles, including the last two in a row. Virginia Tech should go to a third consecutive BCS bowl. His latest challenge is finding a replacement for tailback Darren Evans, who will miss the season after blowing out his knee. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor gets the job to himself after injuries and Sean Glennon blocked his way the past two seasons. Coordinator Bud Foster might have his best defense ever. It is quick and mean. If the Hokies get past Alabama in the opener, this could be a magical season. Must-see game: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama in Atlanta. Even with the loss of Evans, the Hokies have a chance at the upset.

2. Georgia Tech: Dwyer is complemented nicely by Roddy Jones in the same backfield. The defense finished in the top 25 nationally and held seven teams to 20 points or less. The secondary is loaded with the addition of corner Jerrard Tarrant, who was suspended for all of '08 while fighting a rape accusation. The charges were dropped. The toughest stretch will be three weeks in October when the Jackets play at Mississippi State, at Florida State and Virginia Tech at home. Must-see game: Oct. 17 vs. Virginia Tech. A showdown for the division title?

3. North Carolina: Butch Davis continues to recruit. The Tar Heels should continue to win. In Davis' second year the Heels jumped from four to eight wins. Often-injured quarterback T.J. Yates lost his two most reliable targets (Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate) to the NFL. Fortunately, the defense is loaded. If the Heels can win at Georgia Tech on Sept. 26, don't be surprised if they start 6-0. Must-see game: Sept. 26 at Georgia Tech. Smothered the Jackets last season.

4. Miami I don't care who is responsible. In fact, I don't want to know. The schedule, though, is a joke. Poor Randy Shannon is looking at 0-4 with the toughest first four games in the country -- at Florida State, Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech and Oklahoma. Shannon lost a quarterback (Robert Mavre) and changed both coordinators. Mark Whipple came from the NFL to take over the offense. First-year D-coordinator John Lovett came from North Carolina. The defense is stout, but let's be honest: This is Miami and if it doesn't win big with flair, it will be a disappointment. The progress of quarterback Jacory Harris will be on one of the major stories in the conference. Must-see game: Oct. 3 vs. Oklahoma. If the 'Canes have any gas left by the first week of October, they will try to resurrect an '80s classic rivalry.

5. Virginia: It has been a weird circle of life in Charlottesville. Al Groh's son Mike became offensive coordinator in 2006 after Ron Prince left to become Kansas State's head coach. Prince is back (as special teams coach) after being fired at K-State. Mike Groh was, um, let go after producing the 105th-rated offense in Division I-A last season. Gregg Brandon has installed a spread offense for quarterback Jameel Sewell. They should be thankful to work together. Brandon landed at Virginia after being fired at Bowling Green. Sewell missed '08 because he was academically ineligible. Must-see game: Oct. 17 at Maryland. The Cavaliers have to win this game if they have any hope in the division. The first conference game is at North Carolina.

6. Duke: There won't be a more upbeat last-place team in the country. David Cutcliffe squeezed out four victories in his first season as coach. That ties for the most in Krzyzewskiville since 1994. Senior quarterback Thaddeus Lewis gets one last season to work under the guy who tutored Peyton and Eli. Last season's defense held three opponents to less than 10 points for the first time since 1976. Only four starters return, including potential All-ACC defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase. Must-see game: Nov. 7 at North Carolina. The Heels have won 18 of the last 19. It would be nice if Duke could make a run at a bowl. The Devils would have to beat Carolina to do it.

Atlantic

1. Florida State: Not counting Chris Rix, who was maddeningly inconsistent, Bobby Bowden is back to having an established junior quarterback (Christian Ponder) for the first time in eight seasons. The offensive line is reflecting line coach Rick Trickett's toughness (left tackle Andrew Datko was a freshman All-American). But there aren't the dynamic athletes we're used to seeing. And there always seems to be some drama around the program. People have talked more about the loss of 14 victories in the offseason more than Ponder having some reliable receivers. Try to envision a nine-win season with road trips to BYU, North Carolina, Clemson, Wake and Florida. I can't. FSU could win the division and probably eight games but it will take a step back from '08 when it won nine. Must-see game: Sept. 7 vs. Miami. If I have to tell you why, exit wide right.

2. North Carolina State: The injury to linebacker Nate Irving hurts a lot. Irving is expected to miss the season after a car accident. That takes the Pack down a notch from the summer, when I had N.C. State winning the division. When in doubt, I always go with a solid returning quarterback. Wilson might have the most upside of any in the league. Coach Tom O'Brien will hit it big in his third season, coming in with a four-game winning streak to end the '08 regular season. Must-see game: Sept. 26 vs. Pittsburgh. Win this and the Pack could start 4-0 before ACC play begins.

3. Wake Forest: The Deacons have won 11, 9 and 8 games the last three seasons. It would be logical to assume the decline is going to continue. Most of the returning players are back on offense, which struggled. The defense only has four starters back. Four players were taken in the first four rounds of the draft. That's amazing but also troubling for this season. Wake will have to get those new defensive starters ready to contribute right away for it to be a factor in the division. Must-see game: Nov. 14 vs. Florida State. The Deacons have beaten the 'Noles three straight years.

4. Clemson: The Dabo Swinney era goes into its first full season. A 4-2 finish by the former receivers coach was enough to raise hopes after the end of Tommy Bowden's 9½-year reign. There is always the fear that Clemson is still Clemson. Since 1999, it has never won less than six or more than nine. The Tigers have had the talent to win the ACC each of the last three seasons but they always seem to disappoint. Kevin Steele was a huge get as defensive coordinator coming from Alabama. Tailback C.J. Spiller is less than 1,000 yards away from becoming the ACC's career leader in all-purpose yards. Swinney will be reminded at every turn that the last ACC title was in 1991. Must-see game: Sept. 10 at Georgia Tech. Five days after playing pass-happy Middle Tennessee, here comes Paul Johnson's triple option.

5. Maryland: We can see the end of the Ralph Friedgen era from here. Offensive coordinator James Franklin is the coach in waiting. The Terps should take a major dip after going 8-5. Twelve starters have departed, including receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Friedgen loves Torrey Smith and redshirt freshman Kevin Dorsey as emerging talents at receiver. Franklin has done a good job shaping senior quarterback Chris Turner. Must-see game: Sept. 5 at Cal. The Bears sleep-walked through last year's game in College Park. Revenge is in the air.

6. Boston College: AD Gene DeFilippo is my hero for standing up to Jeff Jagodzinski. I admire DeFilippo more for replacing Jags with the guy who most deserved it. Frank Spaziani was defensive coordinator for 10 years and had earned his shot. BC's chances were severely damaged when linebacker Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with cancer. Herzlich would have been the preseason defensive player of the year. Will there be enough left over from the nation's No. 5 defense to compete? Must-see game: Oct. 24 at Notre Dame. This is part of ND's "easy" schedule on its way to a BCS bowls. Let's see what the Eagles think.