Jackets are giant-slayers, but can Ball be consistent?

                    

	Calvin Johnson Paul Abell/US PRESSWIRE Georgia Tech 2005 Record 7-5 (5-3 ACC) Final AP Rank -- Returning Starters 13 (8 offense, 5 defense) Last National Title 1990 The Contenders Auburn Michigan Cal Nebraska Clemson Notre Dame Florida State Ohio State Georgia Tech South Carolina Iowa USC Louisville Utah Miami West Virginia

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Why Georgia Tech can win it all: The Jackets have several of the ingredients you look for in a sleeper: a four-year starting quarterback (Reggie Ball), an elite playmaker (Calvin Johnson), a dependable running back (Tashard Choice) and solid offensive and defensive lines. A win over Notre Dame in its nationally televised prime-time opener would give Tech instant credibility.

What must fall into place: Ball must cut down on the costly mistakes that plagued him his first three seasons. A couple of standouts need to emerge at the one position wracked by graduation, the secondary. And while Chan Gailey's teams have beaten elite foes before (Auburn, Miami), the Jackets need to become more consistent week in and week out.

How it could go wrong: If Ball continues to be a sub-50 percent passer, the Jackets' offense will remain mired in mediocrity. They could also be in trouble if opponents manage to bottle up Johnson due to a lack of depth at receiver. Finally, Tech has exhibited a nagging tendency to play up or down to the level of its competition, a habit it can't afford playing in the ultra-deep ACC.

Good omen: The last time the Jackets won a national title, when they went 11-0-1 in 1990 and split with Colorado, they were also coming off a 7-4 regular season.

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