No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
BetMGM College Football Odds: Florida State by 10 ½.
Series record: Florida State leads 15-11-1.
Eight months after being eliminated from the College Football Playoff, Florida State begins its attempt to defend its title as Atlantic Coast Conference champion and secure a guaranteed spot in the expanded 12-team playoff. The Seminoles have won 12 consecutive league games since losing to Clemson on Oct. 15, 2022.
Florida State will look to establish the run with senior Lawrance Toafili, Alabama transfer Roydell Williams and an offensive line that has 345 college starts. It should be a big test for the Yellow Jackets and their revamped defensive staff. Coach Brent Key made several changes on that side of the ball after Tech ranked 131st nationally (out of 133 teams) in run defense last season.
State of Florida: Former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei makes his debut for the Seminoles, looking to follow in the footsteps of Jordan Travis, a four-year starter and 2023 ACC Player of the Year. Uiagalelei brings plenty of experience to his new job, including 8,319 passing yards and 57 TDs, as well as 1,132 yards on the ground and 21 scores.
Georgia Tech: Dual-threat QB Haynes King, a former Longview High School and Texas A&M player, led the ACC with 27 passing TDs in 2023, but also had a league-leading 16 interceptions. If King can limit the mistakes, Georgia Tech could be the league’s best offense.
FSU and Georgia Tech will travel approximately 4,000 miles for this “Week Zero” matchup that kicks off the college football season. … This will be the ninth college game in Ireland and the fifth at Aviva Stadium. Two more are already scheduled: Iowa State vs. Kansas State in 2025; and Pitt vs. Wisconsin in 2027. … Georgia Tech previously traveled to Dublin in 2016, beating Boston College 17-14 at the Aviva. … FSU is playing its first international game. … The Seminoles will be without offensive coordinator/O-line coach Alex Atkins for this game. Atkins was suspended three games by the NCAA for recruiting violations in 2022. Senior offensive analyst Gabe Fertitta will assume Atkins’ game-day duties.
