We are now just seven weeks away from the big Week 0 showdown between Georgia Tech and Florida State.
The Yellow Jackets and Seminoles will face off in the biggest game in college football in Week 0, which will air on ESPN’s College GameDay in attendance. A win over the defending ACC champions would put Georgia Tech on the map as a dark horse contender in the ACC.
Florida State has been a double-digit favorite over Georgia Tech since the lines first opened, with most sportsbooks having the Seminoles as favorites by 13.5 points. Currently, FanDuel Sportsbook has Florida State as a 12.5-point favorite over the Yellow Jackets.
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. On an episode of Late Kick with Josh Pate, he spoke 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 like the concept of Week 0, but it’s happening. Is it bold of you to say Georgia Tech beats FSU? For me it’s 8.25. The odds on this game are FSU At -12.5, FSU has a new quarterback but is 90th or so in return percentage. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech 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 something for them last year and they lost close games. Some of their losses were close, so maybe they’re a closer program than people give them credit for. Good ground game. FSU is still peeling the sticker off a lot of the new pieces they’ve acquired, so it’s a good time to play them. I’m not ready to pick a game, but on the boldness scale, it’s an 8.25 for me. It’s not totally out of the question for me. Last year, Duke beat Clemson in Week 1, so it was a bunch of turnovers, but that counts, 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 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. Like I said in the ACC, 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 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 even an offensive line 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.
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