AE 87, I would agree with everything you said, but I'd also say this:
Our D last year was, watching in person, amazing good on rush AND pass. But the two do play off each other. And it could very well be that the loss of the two DT's costs us more than we'd like to think (and that the crazy good rush defense helped set up the pass defense). The Tulsa game would certainly be good evidence of that. That said, a whole bunch of Tulsa's passing yards came on a couple of ridiculously bad coverage plays, one of which by our all american DB. I don't see the secondary being AS bad week to week. Meanwhile, the biggest improvements in our D (over the previous D's that had been very bad) are 1) our speed, which is even better this year than last, and light years ahead of where we were even two years ago and 2) our co-DCs, who are still here calling the shots. Most important to me is the team speed though. I think that is why we match up so well with georgia tech on defense. Even if our D does regress this year, I think we have a good shot to look good this weekend based on scheme.
As for our O, it has been bad, and it still isn't great. But as you yourself say your D isn't all that strong. Meanwhile, part of my optimism comes from the REASONS our O has been bad. We've had really good RB's every year (actually we've in theory taken a step back this year, although Badie's first game gives us hope). We've always had at least one NFL type WR on roster. What has held us back on O the past 5-6 years is a SUPER horrendous OL and mediocre (at best) QB play. As I said elsewhere, our OL still isn't great. But it's much better than it was last year, and last year it was much better than the year before. Meanwhile at QB we have a RSFreshman that all reports (media, coaches, fans) seem to suggest is going to be a MAJOR QB. He is, skill wise, far and away better than Griffin IMO, and Griffin is with the Saints nowadays. He may make some freshman mistakes (and if he makes many this weekend you'll stomp us) but he's the real deal. And since the only things that have really held us back on O have been the OL and QB......that is why we have reason to hope. In particular because we think your secondary is ripe for the picking. We'll see how that plays out.
I'll say this. If you get up fairly big early, you'll win in a landslide. If it stays close, I really like our chances.