Georgia Tech football fans will soon see their favorite team back on the field for the 2012 season. The Yellow Jackets have finished their August training camp and look to be in good shape to start the season. Several players have missed practices due to injuries, but none are serious enough to miss the season opener. Tech’s top three rushers from last year, Tevin Washington, David Sims, and Orwin Smith, will return. The Yellow Jackets have been ranked #20 in the SI.com Preseason Top 25 poll.
The Georgia Tech season opener is scheduled for September 3 against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rival Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The Yellow Jackets will play their home opener against Presbyterian College on September 8 at 7pm. Following that game, two big ACC rivals will come to town. The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to play Virginia on September 15. Tech will play Miami on September 22 during Family Weekend. Middle Tennessee State University will come to Atlanta on September 29.
On October 6 the Ramblin Wreck will travel to South Carolina to play the ACC rival Clemson Tigers. Georgia Tech will have October 13 off. Tech will host Boston College at home on October 20. The 2012 Homecoming game is scheduled for October 27 against Brigham Young University.
In November the Yellow Jackets travel out of town to meet two strong conference rivals. Tech will play Maryland on November 3 in College Park and North Carolina on November 10 in Chapel Hill. Tech’s last home game will be November 17 against ACC rival Duke. The Yellow Jackets will play their traditional Thanksgiving weekend game against Georgia on November 24 in Athens.
Head coach Paul Johnson will return for his 5th season at Tech. His use of the triple option offense has led to successful seasons at Georgia Tech. Johnson was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009. The Yellow Jackets have accepted a bowl bid each year that Johnson has been their head coach. He led the team to an 8-5 record in 2011 and an appearance in the Sun Bowl.
Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium, located in the heart of campus, is one of the country’s oldest college stadiums. Built in 1913, the stadium has been expanded several times over the years. The newest renovations were completed in 2009, and the stadium today seats 55,000 fans. Georgia Tech football fans can enjoy Friday Night Fan Fest before home games at Atlantic Station in midtown. The tail gate style celebration features food and live music from 6-10pm. Fans can see the Tech cheerleaders and enjoy the Yellow Jacket Marching Band. Admission to the event is free.
