Georgia Tech's Football Season Preview

One hundred thirty-five days. Over four months before the first game of the season, and Tech fans couldn’t be more optimistic.  I haven’t  seen this much buzz about Tech football since 2001. 

I’ve seen many Tech supporters predict an undefeated season, but I don’t see the future quite that bright.  Here is a game by game breakdown and what I think will happen in each one. 

Sept 5 - Jacksonville State

The Jackets are going to be stoked to get back on the field and try and make everyone forget about the LSU game. This game should get ugly early, but I do think Jackonville State will score some points. Final score, 66-21 Tech

Sept 10 - Clemson

Any game against Clemson is scary. Nonetheless Tech has won the past two in the series, and I have little faith in Dabo Swinney. C.J Spiller will have a good game, but not as good a game as his counterpart, Jonathon Dwyer, thus resulting in a Tech win, 31-23. 

Sept 17 - @Miami

This game is a trap game for the Jackets. They have to go down to Miami, and Miami will have had 12 days to sit and think about last year’s embarrassment on national TV.  Miami is young and will make mistakes in defending the triple option, but they are also athletic, and will be able to make up for some of their mistakes. Miami wins this one, 26-31.

Sept26 - UNC

Coach Paul Johnson’s memory is good. He will remember last year, and the 28-7 debacle. That, along with the extra couple of days for preparation time, means a victory for the Jackets. 

Also, UNC lost their top three receivers from last year and will have a pretty vanilla offense this season. I guarantee a Tech win in this game.  Call it my lead pipe lock.  Final score, 38-20 Tech

Oct 3 - @Miss St

Dan Mullens will do a good job at Mississippi State, eventually. This season though, the cupboard is still pretty bare. Without much to work with, Mullens will struggle. 

Tech handled them easily last year and as long as they don’t overlook them the results should be similar. Plus, Coach Johnson is undefeated against Bulldogs. That won’t change this week.  28-17, Tech

Oct 10 - @FSU

Georgia Tech’s offense was giving the Seminoles fits last year until Nesbitt got hurt.  This year the Noles will still struggle with the offense. Only problem is the other side of the ball. 

I see this game getting high scoring fast, and after last year, when the ball bounced our way, I think it might bounce FSU’s way this season.  FSU wins this one, 42-45. 

Oct 17 - Va Tech

Paul Johnson’s teams don’t lose two games in a row. Since I’m predicting a loss last week, obviously I’m predicting a win here. 

Honestly, I think Tech will split these two games.  Hopefully, the win will come  against the Hokies, as the winner of the GT-VT game has gone to the ACC Championship game every single year.  Virginia Tech lost a lot on defense this past year. 

Their offense has plenty of weapons, but the triple option has more.  The Jackets win this one 31-28.

Oct 24 - @ UVA

Tech hasn’t won in Charlottesville in almost 20 years.  Coach Paul Johnson hasn’t been the coach any of those games though. After breaking the seven year drought against UGA, I expect nothing less then ending this one as well. 

The loss of Cedric Pearman for the Cavs is also a big factor in why I see Tech winning this one.  41-24, Tech

Oct 31 - @Vandy 

I don’t like this game at all. The  team will be on a high after beating both of the Virginia schools, and this game theoretically doesn’t matter in their quest for the Orange Bowl. 

A Chan Gailey coached team would lose this game, but I have more faith in Johnson.  Tech has the better athletes and more of them.  Early on the game should be close, but Tech should pull away in the 4th quarter.  31-17 Tech

Nov 7 - Wake Forest

If it was last season, I’d take the Deacons. But they lost Alfonso Smith and Aaron Curry from their defense. Look for a similar game to the Vandy game, as Wake should hang with Tech early, but the superior athletes will pull out the victory late.  28-17 Tech

Nov 14 - @Duke

Tech beat the heck out of Duke last season, without Nesbitt.  I think Cutcliffe will have his team pumped for this game, and they will come out bringing their best shot.  But the Jackets will clinch the ACC Coastal division with a win. 

That  will be enough motivation for this team.  Tech rolls, 38-27

Nov 28 - UGA

I have gone back and forth on this game several times, and ultimately I think it’s a coin toss.  The lack of quality defensive ends and the bye week before the game will be enough though. 

Tech is going to make it two in a row, and reach 10 wins for the first time since Joe Hamilton was on campus.  Tech wins 27-21

Dec 5 - FSU

In the ACC Championship Game I see a rematch between an earlier match-up. Tech avenges the early season loss and comes out on fire to earn a spot in the Orange Bowl.  31-28

There you have it folks.   Tech’s season laid out for you.  10-2 regular season, and hopefully two more wins after that!