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ACC Football Spring Preview: Top 10 questions and storylines

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and head coach Dabo Swinney celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and head coach Dabo Swinney celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson talks with quarterback Justin Thomas (5) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Bulldogs won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson talks with quarterback Justin Thomas (5) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Bulldogs won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Georgia Tech prove last year was a fluke?

Two years ago Georgia Tech won the Orange Bowl against a Mississippi State team that was the No. 1 team in the country for a month. They had quarterback Justin Thomas who looked poised to join the ranks of one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks and an offense that was difficult to stop.

But Paul Johnson’s team was unable to build on their 2014 success and were one of the biggest disappointments in the country last year. The Yellow Jackets finished in last place in the Coastal with a stunning 1-7 record and a 3-9 overall record.

Thomas is certainly capable of leading the team to a big bounce back this year, especially with the return of running back C.J. Leggett who missed last season, but the defense has to be better after allowing more than 30 points in league games last year.

There are questions at each level of the defense so even with a renaissance under Thomas and Leggett, a season like the one they had in 2014 could be the fluke vs. their 2015 campaign.

Next: Will North Carolina build on last year?

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