FanHouse Jonathan Dwyer

Playing consecutive Thursday night games has left Georgia Tech checking its calendar.

The Yellow Jackets relied on dramatics to beat visiting Clemson last Thursday, squandering an early 24-point advantage, only to have Scott Blair save the day with a 36-yard field goal with under a minute to play. After catching its breath, Georgia Tech meets Miami in an ACC Coastal Division showdown Thursday at Land Shark Stadium.

"Like they say, it is a fast turnaround," Tech coach Paul Johnson said. "We are trying to figure out what day it is. It is a huge challenge this week going to Miami, a very talented team. They have a lot of great athletes and a lot of history and tradition."

Staring down the barrel of an embarrassing 24-0 first half deficit to Georgia Tech, Clemson had two choices -- go down in flames, as has been its pattern in recent years, or muscle up and do something about it. Clemson chose the latter, and nearly staged an epic comeback. The Tigers surged back with 27 straight points to take the lead before the Yellow Jackets booted a pair of field goals, one with just under a minute left, to claim the 30-27 home victory.

Things started out poorly as the Clemson defense let 230-pound Georgia Tech tailback Anthony Allen take a simple short-side option pitch 82 yards for the game's first score. Later, the Tigers lined up for a 57-yard field goal. Kicker Richard Jackson instead punted the ball, but the home team was ready, and returnman Jerrard Tarrant fielded the punt and raced nearly untouched for an 85-yard return in one of the dumbest moments of this young season. Tragedy turned to comedy when Georgia Tech then faked its own field goal, with kicker Scott Blair throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Demaryius Thomas for the 21-nothing lead.

Mark it down. Virginia Tech will beat Florida State for the ACC Championship in December.

So says the media that covers the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hokies, winners of three ACC championships in their first five seasons of membership, were the overwhelming pick to claim a fourth in voting conducted by media at the ACC Football Kickoff at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C.

Georgia Tech's triple-option offense under first-year head coach Paul Johnson created a buzz in the ACC and beyond last season. Defenses weren't accustomed to seeing that system, and it showed. The Yellow Jackets ranked fourth in the nation in rushing offense, they won nine games and snapped a seven-year skid versus rival Georgia.

Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer, a superb talent in any style of offense, believes the Yellow Jackets will be even more comfortable and confident this year. Plus, don't be surprised if Tech looks to take advantage of more passing opportunities, too.

It's always nice to have, well, quadruple options.

The 2010 NFL draft is still 51 weeks away, and yes, a whole lot will change during the 2009 college football season. But millions of us are obsessed with the NFL draft, so with the 2009 draft now behind us, let's take a very early look ahead at potential No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, as well as the other top players in the Class of 2010.