Week 0: Florida State vs Georgia Tech Game Preview
The wait is finally over. This Saturday afternoon, the 2024 college football season kicks off in Dublin, Ireland, with the tenth-ranked Florida State Seminoles taking on Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets, coming off a solid 7-6 season, are eager to spring a major upset against a Florida State team that's reloading after losing key talent from last year. So, what are the key questions that need to be answered, and can Georgia Tech pull off the upset?
What does Florida state’s passing attack look like?
Photo by Ben Spicer
Last season, while the Seminoles didn't have the best passing attack in the country, they were still very effective, thanks in part to playmakers like Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson on the outside, with Jordan Travis delivering the ball. This contributed to their 13-win season. Now, they bring in DJ Uiagalelei (DJ U) from Oregon State to lead the offense. DJ U is a capable quarterback—not bad by any means—but also not someone who I believe will elevate the offense to another level.
The receiving corps also looks weaker compared to last year, with the loss of their top three receivers. Tight end Kyle Morlock and receiver Jakhi Douglas return as the top pass catchers, but they combined for just under 500 yards last season. The Seminoles did add Malik Benson (Alabama) and Jalen Brown (LSU) through the portal, but neither has much proven production at this level of competition. While I believe Florida State shouldn’t have any trouble running the football against a seemingly weak Georgia Tech defensive line, if this game is close or if Florida State gets behind early, it will be interesting to see if the Seminoles can maintain an effective passing game without too much of a drop-off from 2023.
Can Georgia tech hang on the lines of scrimmage?
Photo by Rohan Raman
If Georgia Tech is going to have any shot at winning this game, they’ll need to be scrappy and hang tough with Florida State up front. The Yellow Jackets have some real playmakers. Quarterback Haynes King is one of the best in the ACC, they return most of their receivers, and running back Jamal Haynes is coming off a thousand-yard season. However, if they can’t protect King or if their defensive line can’t disrupt the Seminoles’ run game, Florida State will walk away with an easy week one win.
Florida State’s defensive line is legit. Patrick Payton returns after racking up 14.5 tackles for loss in 2023, and the talented Marvin Jones Jr. transfers in from Georgia to fill the other defensive end spot. Joshua Farmer is also a force in the middle of that defensive line, making blocking these Seminoles no easy task. We know Haynes King can sling it and pick up yards on the ground, but if they can’t protect him or open up solid running lanes for Jamal Haynes, this offense will sputter.
Defensively, it’s crucial for Georgia Tech to find a way to stop the run. As I’ve mentioned, I don’t think Florida State’s passing attack will be outstanding, but if they can run the football consistently, the play-action pass game will become much easier. Nose tackle Zeke Biggers will be crucial for the Yellow Jackets on Saturday, as he is their most proven returner on the defensive line and he'll need to make impactful plays, especially in the run game. Georgia Tech also returns Sylvain Yondjouen, who is back from an injury that ended his 2023 season, along with some transfers to bolster a position where depth is key. The Florida State offensive line projects to be strong in 2024, but if Georgia Tech wants a shot at the upset, they’ll need to get creative in finding ways to shut down the Seminoles' run game.
Can georgia Tech win the turnover battle?
Photo by Brett Davis
For the Yellow Jackets to pull off an upset, turnovers will be another crucial factor. Last season, Georgia Tech ranked 11th nationally in turnovers forced per game, and generating a couple of key takeaways could be pivotal in securing a win on Saturday. While DJ U protected the ball well at Oregon State, this will be his first game in a new offense, and as I’ve mentioned, there are questions about his receiving corps.
On the flip side, Georgia Tech must also protect the ball on offense. Too often, potential upsets are spoiled by the underdog making critical mistakes and turning the ball over. Georgia Tech struggled with this last season, averaging 1.6 turnovers per game, which ranked 86th in the country. With Florida State's strong defense ready to capitalize on any errors, ball security will be vital for the Yellow Jackets.
Prediction:
I believe this game will be closer than most expect. With DJ U adapting to a new offense and what I see as a clear drop-off at receiver, the Seminoles' offense might take some time to find its rhythm. However, I expect them to run the ball effectively, which should help offset any early struggles in the passing game. Finally, while Georgia Tech’s offense is legitimately good, Florida State’s defense is among the best in the country, and I think they’ll make the key plays when it matters most.
