Western Carolina @ Georgia Tech preview

THE STORY: Coming off their first losing year since 1996, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets figure to be in a nasty mood when they host Western Carolina of the FCS in the season opener. Tech should be much improved. The defense enters its second year in Al Groh’s 3-4 scheme, and quarterback Tevin Washington returns after starting the final four games of 2010. The Catamounts, who return 15 starters from last year’s 2-9 squad, are picked to finish eighth in the nine-team Southern Conference.

TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: Georgia Tech -35

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (2010: 6-7, 4-4 ACC): The media picked the Jackets fourth in the Coastal Division, but that likely underestimates them. Coach Paul Johnson believes this is the most athletically gifted group he’s had in four years at Tech, including the 2009 ACC championship team. (That title has since been vacated by the NCAA). Washington displayed an improved passing touch in camp after hitting just 41 percent of his throws last year. Tech led the nation in rushing last season (323.3 yards per game) and will be near the top again in Johnson’s option attack.

ABOUT WESTERN CAROLINA: (2010: 2-9, 1-7 Southern): After scoring just 182 points last year, Wagner installed the Pistol in hopes of exploiting his depth at receiver and tailback. The team returns its top four offensive threats in RB Michael Johnson (5 TDs last year), who is from the Atlanta area, and WRs Deja Alexander, Jacoby Mitchell and Josh Cockrell. Defensively, the Catamounts must replace their top two tacklers.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Paul Johnson is a 1979 Western Carolina graduate.

2. Tech leads the all-time series 4-0, but the teams haven’t played since 1994.

3. Both head coaches call their own plays; neither team has an offensive coordinator.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 49, Western Carolina 10 -- The Jackets, who lost five of their final six games in 2010, should take out their frustration on the undermanned Catamounts.