Georgia Tech will be playing its first game of the upcoming college football season with the Yellow Jackets facing off in a big battle against Florida State, the defending ACC champions and once again the favorite to win in the ACC Media Preseason Poll. The Yellow Jackets return nine starters from one of the ACC’s top offenses and are hoping a new coaching staff and an influx of transfer players will help improve their defense. Georgia Tech was picked ninth in the ACC Preseason Media Poll.
Today, CBS Sports had their college football analysts pick the most overrated team, the most underrated team and rankings, and when it comes to Georgia Tech, the results are interesting.
The Yellow Jackets were voted the most overrated team by CFB analyst Tom Fornelli, who said this about his selection:
“The Yellow Jackets went 7-6 last season but won four of their final six games, including a close loss to Georgia and a bowl win over UCF. I think that late momentum is making people a little more optimistic about their chances. The Georgia game was close, but the Bulldogs were probably more focused on the SEC Championship Game. Also, I don’t trust QB Haynes King much because he loses the ball so often. Four of Tech’s six losses were by double digits. Oh, and without Mario Cristobal’s masterful time management, this team would be 5-7 and feel a lot different heading into 2024.”
CFB analyst Will Backus rated Georgia Tech as the most underrated team in the ACC.
“Four of Brent Key’s 11 wins, including during his time as interim coach, have come against teams ranked in the Top 25 in the AP rankings. The Yellow Jackets struggled against top-ranked Georgia late in last season before winning their first bowl game since 2016. They boast one of the most efficient scoring attacks in the ACC in 2023 and have been dominant with that offense. After poor defense in most of their losses, Key hired defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci, who worked with the ACC’s best scoring defense last season at Duke. I’m not saying the Jackets will win the conference, but don’t be surprised if they beat teams they shouldn’t beat.”
In terms of ranking predictions, Georgia Tech was the highest, with the Yellow Jackets projected to finish sixth in the ACC behind Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina State, Miami and Virginia Tech. Georgia Tech received seventh, one vote for 10th, two votes for 11th and one vote for 12th, with the lowest ranking being 15th, behind Duke and Virginia.
Miami received four votes to win the ACC, Clemson received two and FSU received one.
The Georgia Tech vs. Florida State game will air on ESPN at 12pm on Saturday.