Can this year’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team sting the ACC?
The conference has been overshadowed by the Clemson Tigers for over a decade. HC for the Yellow Jackets, Geoff Collins, has been experimenting everything to get GT to higher levels.
One keynote about Collins is that he has been consistent. Consistent in the wrong direction I may add with consecutive three-win seasons. Since Collins arrival as HC, the Yellow Jackets are 9-25, with an ACC record of 7-18.
As the head coach enters his 4th season, the Yellow Jackets have the 3rd lowest odds to win the ACC. The way things are looking is that it may be Geoff Collins last season.
What is or is NOT guaranteed at GT?
The positive news for GT is QB Jeff Sims is a capable signal caller in the ACC. Returning WR Malachi Carter has potential, with speedster WR Kalani Norris on the outside. The Jackets will be depending on the vertical game, as long as Sims can get them the ball. GT is replacing three offensive linemen from what was not exceptionally good to begin with. To make matters harsher for the offense, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, the only bright spot, bolted for Alabama.
On defense, yes, underperformed most of last season, and should not be better after losing top prospects LB Quez Jackson and S Juanyeh Homas to the NFL. DEs Jordan Dominick and Jared Ivey transferred to SEC schools, leaving the depth at the front seven pretty bare.
GT this season on overall returning production is not sitting too pretty. Ranking at 109th in the nation on both sides of the ball. Offense and defense are both returning less than 60% production.
Yellow Jackets 2022 Season Preview
- Mon., Sept. 5 – vs. Clemson*
- Sat., Sept. 10 – vs. WCU
- Sat., Sept. 17 – vs. Ole Miss
- Sat., Sept. 24 – at UCF
- Sat., Oct. 1 – at Pittsburgh
- Sat., Oct. 8 – vs. Duke
- Thu., Oct. 20 – vs. Virginia
- Sat., Oct. 29 – at FSU
- Sat., Nov. 5 – at Virginia Tech
- Sat., Nov. 12 – vs. Miami-Florida
- Sat., Nov. 19 – at UNC
- Sat., Nov. 26 – at Georgia
Can the Yellow Jackets sting the ACC?
Well, by the looks of their schedule, this is a difficult one. Starting the season off with Clemson who will want to show the nation last season was a fluke, good luck. Their non-conference schedule is not easy with Ole Miss and two road games with Georgia and UCF.
One of the biggest question marks is QB Jeff Sims. The flash of greatness is promising, but the inconsistency is what may have him on the sideline again. Right now, the back-up QB has better Heisman odds than Sims. Oddsmakers, I guess see more promise in the Akron transfer, Zach Gibson.
Non-conference schedule record prediction: 1-3
Conference schedule record prediction: 2-6