The 2024 college football season is fast approaching, and it will kick off with a big game overseas between Georgia Tech and the reigning ACC champions, Florida State. Florida State is currently the favorite to win, but Georgia Tech is bringing back one of the ACC's best offenses and has made some major changes to its defense in an attempt to rebuild what was once one of the worst defenses in the country, so an upset is possible.
I've been saying for months now that Georgia Tech has a much higher chance of winning this game than most people want to admit, and on the latest episode of Josh Pate's Late Kick, he talked about the possibility of the Yellow Jackets pulling off an upset against the Seminoles.
“This is one of those Week 0 games. I don't really like the concept of Week 0, but it's happening. Is it bold for you to say Georgia Tech beats FSU? For me it's 8.25. The odds for this game are FSU -12.5. FSU has a new quarterback but is 90th or so in return percentage. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is coming off their best year in a while and is in the top 10 in offensive return percentage. With Haynes King still at quarterback, Georgia Tech has the advantage in quarterback experience. I felt for them last year and they lost close games. Some of those losses were close. They may be a closer program than people give them credit for. Good ground game. FSU is still getting the sticker off of a lot of the new pieces they acquired, so it's a good time to play them. I'm not ready to pick games, but on the boldness scale it's 8.25 for me.” This isn't completely unexpected. It's in the realm of possibility to me. Last year, Duke beat Clemson in Week 1. They had a bunch of turnovers, but they count, so anything can happen.”
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 playoff-defining game 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 the 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.
