ATLANTA -- Coach Paul Johnson isnt concerned with low expectations at Georgia Tech.Its nothing new: Since Johnson took charge of the Yellow Jackets eight years ago, theyve been ranked in The Associated Press final poll just three times, and this season hardly looks promising.Were not at a place where were going to have all these All-Americans and you just reload, he said. Youve got to do it with blue collar and work ethic and that kind of thing. Hopefully it was a lesson a year ago.Georgia Tech is coming off a 3-9 record, 1-7 in the ACC, and missed out on a bowl game for the first time since 1996. The Jackets have been picked to finish sixth in the Coastal Division.Not exactly inspiring stuff, but Johnson has tried to use the lack of respect to his teams advantage.He routinely tells the players that outsiders insist Georgia Tech cant compete on the same level with Georgia and other major programs that border the state.If you look, youre surrounded by programs with double the budgets and all the things, he said. You have to have a chip on your shoulder to survive. Youre not the same in a lot of areas with the (programs) they want to compare you with.Johnson seems to have the players attention.Coach Johnson has definitely brought that up, senior kicker Harrison Butker said.After beating Georgia, advancing to the ACC title game and winning the Orange Bowl two years ago, Johnson thinks some players mistakenly believed they were better than they were.When people are telling you (that) youre really good and you ought to run right through this and run right through that, our guys have historically not handled that very well here, Johnson said.HANGING IN THERESenior quarterback Justin Thomas is eager to play alongside some familiar faces this year.After a sensational 2014 season, Thomas statistics and confidence took a hit last season as the injuries mounted across the offense.Weve all come together closely, and I think a lot of guys know what to expect and what to do, Thomas said. Its not just me. Weve got a whole lot of guys on both sides of the ball being more vocal.NOT-SO-HOT SEATJohnson doesnt appear to have concerns about his job security. Hes under contract through 2020, and it would cost the school over $9 million to buy out the last three years of his deal. Georgia Tech also is searching for a new athletic director after Mike Bobinski left last week for Purdue.SEASON OPENERThe Jackets begin Sept. 3 against Boston College in Dublin, Ireland. Senior center Freddie Burden has told his teammates to consider the long trip a blessing.I almost kind of look at it as making up for our bowl game we missed last year, he said. Its going to be a fun, exciting time. Everybodys hyping it up. Guys are excited to play. I think its everybodys first time going to Ireland and a lot of guys first time flying overseas and being in a different country.KEY GAMESVs. Clemson on Sept. 22, vs. Miami on Oct. 1, at North Carolina on Nov. 5, at Georgia Nov. 26Johnson is 5-4 against Clemson, including the vacated 2009 ACC title game victory. Former Georgia coach Mark Richt is now working in the same capacity with Miami. Johnson says last season turned on a lost fumble against North Carolina.Each year, no game is bigger for Tech than the annual matchup with Georgia.PREDICTION5-7 overall, 3-5 ACC.---This story has been corrected to show that the Sept. 22 game against Clemson is in Georgia, not South Carolina. Guillermo Heredia Jersey . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Colin Poche Rays Jersey .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/ .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Eric Sogard Rays Jersey . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Tampa Bay Rays Gear . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks have signed free agent center Jaleel Cousins, the younger brother of All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins of Sacramento.The 6-foot-11 Cousins went undrafted this year after averaging 8.5 points and 7.9 rebounds as a senior at South Florida. He played for the Mavericks summer league team in Orlando, Florida.The 222-year-old spent a season at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, about 60 miles south of Dallas.ddddddddddddCousins averaged 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 14 minutes while playing all five summer league games. ' ' '