Florida State vs. Georgia Tech Prediction, Game Preview

It’s a rematch of last year’s ACC Championship Game, with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-5) hosting the Florida State Seminoles (6-0). Check out the Florida State vs. Georgia Tech prediction and game preview.

Florida State vs. Georgia Tech Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 24
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Network: ESPN2

Follow and/or Contact @Rich Cirminiello

Why You Need To Care

Florida State and Georgia Tech meet in a replay of last year’s thrilling ACC Championship Game. But while the Seminoles have remained in title contention, the Yellow Jackets were the league’s biggest first-half disappointment.

Georgia Tech began the year as the prohibitive favorite to repeat as the Coastal Division champ. Yet, after torching a pair of overmatched opponents, Alcorn State and Tulane, the Yellow Jackets were exposed as overrated. And they continue to get exposed to the tune of five consecutive losses. Remarkably, this team that started 2015 with visions of getting back to a Big Six bowl game is now facing postseason extinction.

Ninth-ranked Florida State, conversely, just keeps cruising along, winners of 33 consecutive regular season games. And although the bar is a little lower than in recent years, the Noles are still the defending champ until proven otherwise. It’ll also be interesting to see if FSU can build off last week’s strong finish against Louisville, in which it rang up 35 second-half points against a quality D.

Why Florida State Will Win

The Yellow Jacket defense is heading south just as the Seminole offense begins to find its groove. This cannot be good for the home team.

Florida State is fresh off its best offensive outburst of 2015, unleashing RB Dalvin Cook and QB Everett Golson on the usually stout Louisville defense. Even a sore hammy hasn’t slowed Cook, while Golson has efficiently thrown 11 touchdown passes without a pick. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech has allowed at least 30 points in each of the last five games, while being routinely gashed on the ground.

Why Georgia Tech Will Win

For the Yellow Jackets, who might not play a game beyond Nov. 28, this week and the Georgia game will be their equivalent of a bowl game. They’ll respond accordingly.

Tech is finally running the ball with authority again, slapping 376 yards and three touchdowns on Pat Narduzzi’s Pitt defense. And when the Yellow Jackets are rolling out of the triple-option, absolutely anything is possible. QB Justin Thomas ran for a season-high 95 yards, while B-back Marcus Marshall turned 10 carries into 159 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Florida State defense, particularly top LB Terrance Smith, is banged up, which could create even more running room for the Yellow Jacket ground troops.

Player Who Matters

Whether or not Smith plays, the Seminoles will need a big night out of athletic linebacker Reggie Northrup. The senior has played the run well this month, and he leads the team with 38 tackles. Ditto DT Nile Lawrence-Stample, who eats up blocks and was oppressive last Saturday versus the Cardinals. While gap integrity is always crucial to slowing down Paul Johnson’s system, FSU must also be wary of the arm of Thomas, who’s thrown 29 career touchdown passes out of the option.

What’s Going To Happen?

Florida State is going to get absolutely every ounce of Georgia Tech’s potential Saturday. It won’t result in an upset, but it will lead to a close and entertaining game.

The Yellow Jackets showed last week that it hasn’t quit on 2015 and it can still roll downhill on the ground. And that’s a combination that’ll present challenges to the Seminoles. However, as long as Cook’s hamstring behaves and Golson’s decisions remain smart, FSU will be able to weather the storm, pulling away behind the newfound offensive pop.