Georgia Tech vs. Florida State will be the main event of Week 0 of the college football season. ESPN's College GameDay will broadcast the first international game as the defending ACC champions take on Georgia Tech, who are coming off their best season in five years. The Yellow Jackets will be hoping to pull off a major upset in Week 0, but not many are expecting them to do so.
ESPN college football analyst and former University of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy discussed the Week 0 matchup between the Yellow Jackets and Seminoles on a recent episode of the Always College Football Podcast, calling it a game that could decide the playoffs and calling the Yellow Jackets a dangerous team.
“Florida State vs. Georgia Tech is a playoff game. There's no question about that. So Florida State vs. Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech is dangerous. As far as the ACC goes, I think Georgia Tech is in the group of teams that can beat any team. Florida State is obviously expected to make the playoffs.”
“This game has huge implications for the playoffs,” McElroy said. “People don't necessarily say it that way because Florida State is probably the overwhelming favorite to win, but fast forward to the end of the year and this game is potentially significant in assessing our playoff prospects.”
This will be a big test for Georgia Tech next fall, but the Yellow Jackets may be up to the challenge thanks to their offensive prowess: Quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. will spearhead Georgia Tech's electric offensive line.
Florida State came close to making the College Football Playoff this season, and although they will be losing some key players from this year's team, coach Mike Norvell can make the team a contender for the ACC title again next year with some quality signings and a successful portal.
I think Georgia Tech has a much better chance of winning this game than many people think. Florida State is the more talented team on paper, but there are areas where the Yellow Jackets could have an advantage. I think Haynes King will be the best quarterback in the game and having an advantage at the most important position on the field always means a lot. Georgia Tech's offense returns most of its starters from last season and should be able to start strong in Week 0 and pick up where they left off when the 2023 season concludes.
I think the big question coming into this game will be whether Georgia Tech's defense can slow down Florida State's rushing attack. There are questions about Florida State's passing attack, but there's no doubt that Coach Norvell's team has a strong running game. Georgia Tech is one of the worst teams in the country when it comes to stopping the run, and if they can't do that in Week 0, it's going to be a long afternoon.
Florida State's defense could also be a problem for an offense as good as Georgia Tech's. Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr. are a pair of the ACC's best pass rushers, and Florida State might have the ACC's best secondary. It's fair to say Florida State is favored by nearly two touchdowns in this game, but the Yellow Jackets have the power to pull off the upset.
