The Florida State Seminoles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Aviva Stadium. Here’s a Georgia Tech vs Florida State Prediction. This article will include a Georgia Tech vs Florida State Pick.
Florida State Seminoles Betting Preview
The Florida State Seminoles enter year 5 under coach Mike Norvell and are the betting favorites to win the ACC. FSU has won a combined 23 games in the last two seasons, and big things are expected this year. Florida State brings in quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who had over 8,000 yards and 57 touchdowns at Clemson and Oregon State. Florida State will have to find playmakers on the outside after losing its top-3 receivers, but running back Lawrance Toafili returns after averaging 6.7 yards per touch as a backup.
Defensively, DJ Lundy returns after 54 tackles, Patrick Payton had 7 sacks and Conrad Hussey had 1 interception. Linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. also comes over from Georgia and should thrive in an expanded role. Florida State lost a lot of production to its defense, but the recruiting class is there, and the Seminoles have their quarterback. FSU is the team to beat in the ACC at this very moment.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets won 7 games last year and could reach a bowl game in back to back years for the first time since 2013-14. Head coach Brent Key enters his second season with the Yellow Jackets. Quarterback Haynes King returns after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also rushing for 737 yards and 10 scores. Georgia Tech has its top-2 receivers back in Eric Singleton Jr. and Malik Rutherford, while running back Jamal Haynes returns as a 1,000-yard rusher. Georgia Tech had the fourth best scoring offense in the ACC last season, and all of the key pieces are back for an encore.
Defensively, Kyle Efford returns after leading Georgia Tech with 81 tackles, Kevin Harris had 1 sack and Ahmari Harvey had 3 interceptions. Georgia Tech also snagged Ayobami Tifase from Florida State, E.J. Lightsey from Georgia and Jordan van den Berg from Penn State. Georgia Tech has the ability to surprise some folks in the ACC, as there’s proven production on both sides of the ball.
Why the Florida State Seminoles will Beat Georgia Tech
- Florida State has won each of its last 20 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Georgia Tech has lost four of its last five season openers.
- Florida State has won the first half in nine of its last 12 games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Florida State’s last seven games as a favorite at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Georgia Tech’s last five games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Georgia Tech ranked T14th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.615).
- Georgia Tech ranked 15th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (9.6).
- Florida State ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (2.9).
- Florida State was one of only four FBS teams to win 4+ games when trailing at HT last season.
Georgia Tech vs Florida State Prediction
The Florida State Seminoles are the more talented team obviously and having a full offseason to prepare gives them an even bigger edge. However, Georgia Tech returns a lot of players from a year ago, especially on offense, and the Yellow Jackets should be able to have some sort of success moving the ball. We also have the travel of playing in Dublin and the fact they’re playing on a rugby / soccer, which sometimes leads to a weird field and footing issues. FSU has inexperience at skill positions and is breaking in a new quarterback, so it could take a week or two to really get going. Either way, I like the value of Georgia Tech and the points.