Elon @ Georgia Tech preview

Georgia Tech opens the season at home Saturday against Elon with all eyes on a star defensive player’s position switch. Jeremiah Attaochu, who is fourth among active NCAA players with 19 career sacks, shifts from linebacker to defensive end as the Yellow Jackets look to bolster what was a woeful pass rush last season. Georgia Tech’s defense showed vast improvement after defensive coordinator Al Groh was fired in midseason, and the Yellow Jackets will build around Attaochu and cornerback Jemea Thomas.

Sophomore Vad Lee takes over at quarterback for the reigning ACC Coastal Division champs after splitting time with Tevin Washington last season, and leading rusher Zach Laskey (697 yards) highlights a group of talented running backs in head coach Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense. The Phoenix return nine defensive starters but debut new starters at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. Elon was picked eighth in the nine-team Southern Conference in both the coaches and media preseason polls.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN3. LINE: No line.

ABOUT ELON (2012: 3-8, 1-7 Southern): The Phoenix face a gaping hole on offense with the graduation of quarterback Thomas Wilson (6,649 career yards) and receiver Aaron Mellette (4,254 receiving yards). Junior quarterback Mike Quinn has thrown 35 passes in 12 career games, and the Elon defense will have to lead the way early in the season. Junior linebacker Jonathan Spain finished third in the Southern with 120 tackles last season, earning preseason first-team all-conference honors.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (2012: 7-7, 5-3 ACC): Lee is a new starter but possesses experience, rushing for 544 yards and nine touchdowns last season and adding 596 yards passing and four scores. Running the football again will be a strong point: Georgia Tech finished fourth in FBS with 311.2 yards rushing per game in 2012. The Yellow Jackets hope last season’s strong finish – victories in three of their final four regular-season games and the school’s first bowl victory in seven years – and three home games in the first four weeks lead to a strong start.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Attaochu, a preseason All-ACC selection, needs 12.5 sacks to set Georgia Tech’s career record.

2. Elon is 0-6 against FBS opponents, including a 62-0 defeat to North Carolina last season.

3. Georgia Tech has rushed for more yards than any FBS team since 2008.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 52, Elon 10