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Florida State vs. Georgia Tech predictions: Which ACC team leaves Ireland victorious?

peter holland jr. and liam rooney, tallahassee democrat
·3 min read

The stage has been set.

Florida State football and Georgia Tech are Ireland-bound. The two teams will match up in a week zero game in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

Some could say the Seminoles are on a revenge tour after being left off in the College Football Playoffs after going undefeated in the regular season last year. The wounds may be gone, but the scars still remain.

FSU may have lost 14 starters but the Seminoles were highly involved in the transfer portal once again, adding pieces like quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, wide receiver Malik Benson, running backs Roydell Williams and Jaylin Lucas, defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr., and linebacker Cam Riley.

All will be making their FSU debuts on Saturday when the game starts at noon ET on ESPN.

Now, everyone worldwide will see what the Seminoles finally look like. FSU enters the seasonal opener as the 10.5-point favorite to beat the Yellow Jackets.

Georgia Tech is coming off a 7-6 season in Brent Key's head coaching debut. He now enters his second season as the underdog, but he might have enough talent to hang around with FSU.

The Yellow Jackets are led by the quarterback-runningback duo Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. Last season, King threw for 2,842 yards, 27 touchdowns and 16 interceptions (2nd in the ACC).

On the ground he rushed for 737 rushing yards, which is second behind Haynes, who has 1,059 yards. Both King and Haynes combined for 17 rushing touchdowns.

FSU's offense will get its first look at Georgia Tech's defense under new defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci. Before accepting the DC role as a Yellow Jacket, Santucci was also a defensive coordinator at Duke.

Last season, Duke led the ACC in scoring defense. Its 19 points allowed made the Blue Devils ranked 16th nationally. Santucci will bring the same system to the Yellow Jackets.

That said, here is our game prediction for Saturday's game.

Florida State football vs. Georgia Tech scoring prediction

Peter Holland's prediction:

FSU 17, Georgia Tech 9: I expect both sides to start this ACC matchup with a shaky offensive performance. FSU's defense will likely have to carry at least for the first half, which will be a tall ask as they face King.

FSU's offense should turn on later in the second half, mainly from the running game. The Yellow Jackets will have a new-look defense, with Santucci taking over as defensive coordinator.

Uiagalelei will be efficient, but I expect the senior to manage the game. The game will come down to who runs the football better. With FSU's depth at running back and a physical offensive line, I give the Seminoles the edge.

Liam Rooney's prediction:

FSU 27, Georgia Tech 17: The Seminoles leave Ireland with a pot of gold in week zero, getting a win over the Yellow Jackets behind a good performance from Uiagalelei.

Despite a slow start that will allow the Yellow Jackets to take a brief lead, the Seminoles pick things up in the second half behind an impressive passing display from Uiagalelei. Lawrance Toafili and Roydell Williams rush effectively and Toafili scores his first touchdown of the season in the win.

FSU's defense lives up to the hype and forces at least one turnover out of King. It's a game that might be closer than most thing early on, but the Seminoles will pull away with a second-half performance that overwhelms Georgia Tech.

Florida State football schedule 2024

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech predictions: Who'll win in Ireland?