After a much-needed bye week, Saturday’s Florida State-Georgia Tech game has the Seminoles back inside Doak Campbell Stadium. The Noles are currently riding a three-game losing streak. Facing the Yellow Jackets gives FSU a chance to get back on track. As for GT, the Yellowjackets are coming off a 16-9 loss at home to Virginia and sit at 3-4 overall. After firing Geoff Collins, interim head coach Brent Key is 2-1. Since Mike Norvell arrived in Tallahassee, the Seminoles are 0-1 against the Jackets. In 2020, the Noles suffered a 16-13 loss at home. However, FSU owns a 14-11 advantage in the all-time series, but GT has won the last two.
Florida State-Georgia Tech Preview
Saturday inside Doak Campbell should be an electric atmosphere. Although the team is on a losing streak, the FSU fan base typically shows out for ACC games. The only downside is that this game kicks off at noon Eastern time on Saturday. Over the years, Noles fans have complained about early games, especially during the warm month of September. But, the weather should be cooler for this one. Ahead of the match-up, Florida State’s offense has to do some soul-searching. While the unit has been above average, it hasn’t been enough to win the three most important conference games.
In losing to Wake Forest, NC State, and Clemson, the Noles totaled 66 points. However, the team has put up just 10 scores in the endzone in that span. The offense has played well enough to win games.. when they aren’t behind. In this game against Tech, the Seminoles have to score early. Jordan Travis has to continue leading the team down the field. Sure, FSU has a trio of stout running backs. Trey Benson and Treshaun Ward have been inexplicably solid so far. But Travis is the driving force of the offense.
Georgia Tech’s defense allows 392.4 total yards of offense and 26.3 points per game. By those metrics, FSU should be favored to win. On the outside, Mycah Pittman and Johnny Wilson have to be targeted. Tech has a total of 23 passes defended through six games. Wilson, Pittman, and Ontaria Wilson have eight combined touchdown receptions. The Noles have to attack Georgia Tech’s secondary on each possession.
Noles Defense Must Contain Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech has struggled on offense in 2022. This season, the program has scored just 11 touchdowns. Jeff Sims has been the dynamic playmaker for the Jackets. But even with a solid quarterback like Sims, GT struggles heavily to move the ball. FSU has a huge advantage defensively with key players like Jared Verse, Amari Gainer, and Kalen DeLoach playing outstanding.
If Georgia Tech wants to keep this game close, the offense has to mix it up in the air and on the ground. However, FSU’s defensive line is full of great talent that can shed blockers and get into the backfield. This game won’t be easy for Key and the Yellow Jackets.
FSU is a 21.5-point favorite over Georgia Tech. If the offense is dialed in, then the Seminoles should be able to cover that by a big margin. Norvell will have his team ready to bounce back and show that the program is still on the right track.
