The season is almost here.

Georgia Tech and Florida State will open the 2024 college football season next Saturday in Dublin, Ireland, and for Georgia Tech, it will be the start of a highly anticipated season. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 7-6 season that saw them win their first bowl game since 2016, and they return the majority of one of the ACC’s best offenses. Additionally, head coach Brent Key has overhauled the defensive personnel, bringing in several new players to improve that side of the ball. If the defense improves enough and the offense continues to be among the ACC’s best, this could be a team that could make a run at the ACC.

Much has been said about Georgia Tech’s schedule, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of the toughest in the country. The Yellow Jackets could be an improved team, and their record might not be too different.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for how Georgia Tech’s season will go.

Game 1 against Florida State (Dublin, Ireland),

I’ll dive deeper and talk about this game next week, but I’ll give the short version here. While I think Florida State is a better team than Georgia Tech on paper, there are things that work in Georgia Tech’s favor in this game. The game is overseas and Florida State has several new starters through the transfer portal who haven’t played together yet. Sometimes the time and place of a game makes all the difference, and I think that’s the case here. FSU’s passing attack could take a big step back, as DJ Uiagalelei is inconsistent and the wide receivers aren’t as good as they were last year. While Mike Norvell is an excellent playmaker, this offense could take some time to gel together. If Georgia Tech’s defense really improves and they can stop the run (I think FSU will take a run-heavy approach), I think they can win this game. Haynes King will keep turnovers low against what I think is Florida State’s top-notch defense. The running game will have a big day and Georgia Tech will win a low-scoring game and start the year with a huge win.

As I said, a more detailed breakdown will follow later this week.

Final score: Georgia Tech 27, Florida State 24 (1-0, 1-0 ACC)

Game 2 vs. Georgia State (August 31, 8:00 p.m., ACC Network)

Whatever happens in Ireland, Georgia Tech needs to be prepared for Georgia State. While I think the Yellow Jackets are much better on paper, they need to play like it. They shouldn’t take this game lightly, and if not, they should win by 20+ points. I like the Dell McGee signing for Georgia State, but it could be a rough first year.

Final score: Georgia Tech 45, Georgia State 21 (2-0, 1-0)

Game 3 in Syracuse (September 7, 12:00 p.m., ACC Network)

Much like Florida State, when you play a team can be very important. This will be the first big test for a revamped Syracuse team with a new coaching staff, quarterback, and many new transfers. The game is on the road and the talent the Orange brought in should make Syracuse better, but facing a Georgia Tech team that is used to playing together will be too much in week two. Georgia Tech wins a close game.

Final score: Georgia Tech 34, Syracuse 24 (3-0, 2-0)

Game 4 vs. VMI (September 14, 3:30 p.m., ACC Network Extra)

It will be the easiest game of the year for the Yellow Jackets, and they will come out on top. The most important thing in games like this is to come out of the game completely healthy.

Final score: Georgia Tech 52, VMI 10 (4-0, 2-0)

Game 5 in Louisville (September 21, time and TV broadcast to be announced)

This is where I think Georgia Tech slips up for the first time. I don’t think Louisville is much better than Tech, but I think they have one of the best defenses in the ACC and Jeff Brohm is always a good offense. Louisville is hard to beat and that will make the difference in this game. The Cardinals win by a narrow margin.

Final score: Louisville 28, Georgia Tech 24 (4-0, 2-1)

Game 6 against Duke (October 5, time and TV broadcast to be announced)

After a week off, Georgia Tech finally has its first ACC home game and it will be against Manny Diaz and Duke. The Blue Devils have had a great run the last two years under Mike Elko, but a lot of talent is gone and Diaz will have to start over. I think it will be an uphill battle for them this year (though I’m happy with the long-term mindset) and Georgia Tech is coming off a comfortable win over Duke.

Final score: Georgia Tech 42, Duke 17 (5-1, 3-1)

Game 7 in North Carolina (October 12, time and TV broadcast to be announced)

This will be a game that all Georgia Tech fans will be excited about. Former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins is now North Carolina’s defensive coordinator and he is trying to turn around UNC’s previously terrible defense. With quarterback Drake Maye gone, the Tar Heels now rely on Max Johnson, who transferred from Texas A&M, and they will continue to have a strong running game. I’m not excited about North Carolina this year and think they are trending in the wrong direction. Not to mention, Georgia Tech has a good track record against North Carolina.

Final score: Georgia Tech 35, North Carolina 21 (6-1, 4-1)

Game 8 against Notre Dame, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (October 19, time and TV broadcast to be announced)

This will be one of the tougher tests for Georgia Tech this year. Notre Dame should have a great defense (especially the secondary) and with a new coordinator, quarterback and receivers, the offense should be much better. This game is the opposite of Florida State. I think Florida State and Notre Dame are similar teams, but Notre Dame should have a stronger identity at this point in the season. The Fighting Irish will win this game on neutral ground. This is the start of a brutal five-game stretch to close out the year for Georgia Tech.

Final score: Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 21 (6-2, 4-1)

Game 9 at Virginia Tech (October 26, time and TV broadcast to be announced)

After a game against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech will have to play a really good and experienced Virginia Tech team on the road. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a successful win in Blacksburg, but this will be a challenge. The Hokies have a dynamic running attack and a strong defense, and I think they could give Georgia Tech some problems. It will be a close game, but Virginia Tech’s running attack will get it done.

Final score: Virginia Tech 34, Georgia Tech 31 (6-3, 4-2)

Game 10 against Miami (Nov. 9, time and TV broadcast to be announced)

After a week off and two straight losses, Georgia Tech will once again be at home against a Miami team that is expected to be in the ACC. However, it will be interesting to see how the Hurricanes play at this point in the year. In the past, they have tended to give up near the end of the year when Miami hasn’t lived up to expectations. If Miami fails to live up to expectations again, how motivated will they be for this game? Georgia Tech can beat Miami, but I think this is the year Miami puts it all together and wins the ACC. Georgia Tech suffers its third straight loss.

Final score: Miami 42, Georgia Tech 28 (6-4, 4-3)

Game 11 vs. NC State, Thursday night (Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. ESPN)

NC State is another team that will be in the ACC this year. Former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall is now taking the helm, and the Wolfpac has a dangerous receiver group heading into the new year. However, I think this is a tough situation for them. Georgia Tech’s offense can put pressure on the Wolfpack’s defense, and I think there’s a chance McCall disappoints at quarterback. An upset win on Thursday night is possible for the Yellow Jackets, and they finish 5-3 in the ACC for the second straight year.

Final score: Georgia Tech 28, NC State 21 (7-4, 5-3)

Game 12 in Georgia, Black Friday (Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. ABC)

Georgia Tech hasn’t beaten its archrival since 2016, but they’re getting close. The Yellow Jackets pulled out the win in the 4th quarter last year, and two years ago they were close for 2 1/2 quarters. This is another loaded Georgia team that is considered the favorite to win the national championship and will be another tall order for Georgia Tech. Brent Key would love nothing more than to end this losing streak and beat the Bulldogs, but I don’t think that will happen this year.

Final score: Georgia 41, Georgia Tech 31 (7-5, 5-3)

I think the record could be better, but this schedule is brutal week in and week out. The Yellow Jackets will be a better team than last year, but it will be hard to get better results. The offense will continue to be electric, the defense will get better, and they will have some big wins, including an upset win over FSU in Ireland. Overall, I would consider this a successful season as Brent Key continues to build his program.