While it may seem like the upper echelon of contenders in the ACC is a relatively exclusive group that for the second consecutive season includes Clemson, Miami FL and SMU, there could be a number of longshots primed for a surprise run at a conference title. One of those teams, a pseudo-contender that with +1400 odds is worth a long look at if you’re the gambling type is the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets.
No, Georgia Tech has not won more than seven games since 2016, they haven’t played in the ACC Championship Game since 2014, and their only ACC Title came in 2009, but under third-year head coach Brent Key, the Yellowjackets have won seven games in back-to-back seasons, and they have many of the ingredients you’d want out of a team that is aiming to make a sizeable leap.
CBS analyst Chris Hummer makes the case for the Yellowjackets as a legitimate ACC sleeper:
“The Yellowjackets bring back the 26th most production in the FBS (per ESPN's Bill Connelly), just added a historic recruiting class (21st nationally) and have a fifth-year senior QB in Haynes King who just wins games,” Hummer writes. “The schedule sets up well. Of the top four league contenders, Yellow Jackets only drew Clemson -- at home. Their road games (Wake Forest, Duke, NC State, Boston College) are also manageable.”
In addition to the seasoned senior King and a transfer portal class that includes likely starters in former FIU standout wide receivers Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson, the Yellowjackets also return their leading rusher (Jamal Haynes) and second-leading receiver Malik Rutherford.
Hummer also makes the case that despite a 7-5 finish in the regular season last year, Georgia Tech could’ve easily found themselves with a couple additional wins had things gone differently against Syracuse (a three-point loss at the Dome) and Georgia (who topped their in-state rival in an 8 overtime marathon in the final week of the season).
Even if you assume Georgia Tech won’t be able to topple Cade Klubnik and the mighty Clemson Tigers at home, it’s reasonable to believe they could run the table in conference play elsewhere and potentially punch their ticket to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte either way.
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