The opening week of college football is just around the corner.
This is the last Saturday without college football until January, and the game that will get things rolling is Georgia Tech vs. Florida State in Dublin, Ireland. The Seminoles enter the game as the defending ACC champions and looking to make the College Football Playoff. Georgia Tech hopes to beat FSU and become a surprise challenger in the conference.
Since the first betting odds for the game were announced, Florida State has remained a double-digit favorite, but has weakened somewhat from the initial odds of 13.5. According to the latest odds from Fanduel Sportsbook, Florida State is an 11.5-point favorite in Dublin next week, and the over-under is set at 56.5.
Morgan Moriarty of Bleacher Report says this game is one to watch for surprises:
“I know it’s going to upset some Florida State fans to post this game here. But folks, don’t sleep on this matchup. The Week Zero game in Dublin, Ireland, seems to have a lot of excitement.
Florida State will be looking for revenge in 2024 after being turned down by the selection committee last season after Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury. Although the Seminoles have dealt with a lot of roster turnover and are ranked 89th in returning players in ESPN S&P+, Mike Norvell has put the team in a good position for 2024. At quarterback, the Noles will rely on former Clemson and Oregon State signal-caller DJ Uiagalelei. He will be joined by returning offensive tackle Darius Washington and transfer portal receiver Malik Benson.
Georgia Tech, on the other hand, comes into this game with a lot of momentum from last season. GT has won four of its last six games, including a come-from-behind win over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl that put them 7-6. It was the first season with a record above .500 since Paul Johnson’s final year in Atlanta in 2018. Quarterback Haynes King and star receiver Eric Singleton Jr. are back, along with four offensive linemen.
Florida State is the favorite by 12.5 points. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it stays exciting until the end.”
I think Georgia Tech has a chance in this game. It will probably come down to how much the defense has improved and if they can stop the run. If they can, the Yellow Jackets can put Uiagalelei in uncomfortable situations and force mistakes. They will need to play a good game all around, but Georgia Tech is more than capable of winning this game.
Georgia Tech vs. Florida State begins next Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
