By Mike Hogewood for theACC.com

There's a new energy at Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson has taken over as the Yellow Jackets' head coach and, pardon the pun, he has Tech fans buzzing. Last season was a disappointment at Tech, going 7-6 after being in the ACC championship game in 2006. Many of the starters from last year's team are gone. Johnson did some amazing things as head coach at Navy including leading the nation in rushing the past three seasons, and now he will be asked to continue that with the Yellow Jackets.

Offensive Tackle Andrew Gardner

To say that the Tech offense will be different is a major understatement. Most are expecting Johnson to run the ball 50 times a game like he did at Navy. Johnson says his offense will do whatever it takes to win games. The key is a versatile mobile quarterback. Tech may have that in sophomore Josh Nesbitt. He showed good running ability in limited playing time last season. Jonathan Dwyer showed flashes of greatness backing up Tashard Choice last season and will probably be the featured back. There is no tight end in Johnson's offense. If Georgia Tech opens it up at all, Demaryius Thomas could be a standout at wide receiver.

Andrew Gardner, first-team All-ACC last season, is the only starter back on the offensive line. Gardner says the offensive transition has not been easy. "It's kind of like being a freshman again where you gotta re-learn everything. Before, I had the old playbook in my head. Now, I have to learn to do things in a different way."

Johnson has heard the skepticism about whether his unique offense can work in the ACC. "My first response is I'd like for them to tell me why. They can't really give you a valid reason. The only thing they say is that nobody else does it. They're not going to convince me it won't work. We'll see when we play the games."

Defensive Tackle Vance Walker

There will also be changes in the defensive scheme at Tech. There's a lot of experience up front including first-team All-ACC tackle Vance Walker. "One thing that will be different is that we won't blitz as much. The coverage will change some, too. Last year we ran a lot of zone, this year we'll run a lot of man to man which I think is going to be a good thing."

There are some holes to fill at linebacker. Phillip Wheeler and Gary Guyton have moved on to the NFL. They also gave the defense valuable leadership off the field that will have to be replaced. Jahi Word-Daniels is the only returning starter in the secondary, but there are some great athletes with good speed ready to step up.

The kicking game was a strength at Tech last year. Durant Brooks was an All-American punter who averaged over 45 yards a punt. Travis Bell also graduated after ranking high in many school kicking categories. Sophomore Scott Blair is the preseason favorite to take over the kicking duties. Several players are in contention to become the Yellow Jackets punter.

Johnson took one look at the schedule and said to himself, "Welcome to the ACC." After opening against Jacksonville State, Tech has to travel to the two schools that played for the ACC Championship last year - at Boston College on September 6th and at Virginia Tech on September 13th. The other non-conference games are Mississippi State, Gardner-Webb and in-state rival Georgia.

Georgia Tech went to a bowl game in its last six seasons. Getting back to one in Johnson's first season will be difficult. "Anybody can come up with a million reasons why you can't do something. What I want our guys and our coach staff to do is to come up with the reasons why you can do it. Our goal is to win the league this season."