Georgia Tech Football: Josh Pate Predicts Yellow Jackets to Reach ACC Championship in 2025
Josh Pate has made an early prediction for the 2025 ACC Championship Game, and he has Georgia Tech making it. Though the 2025 season is still months away, with spring practice approaching, many teams are starting to get a glimpse of how their squads might look. Georgia Tech, in particular, has much of its core returning for the 2025 season. Haynes King is back at quarterback, Jamal Haynes will lead the backfield, and the offensive line, coached by Brent Key and Geep Wade, remains a strength. Buster Faulkner returns for his third year calling plays. While the Yellow Jackets hired a new defensive coordinator, there is enough experience returning to expect stability following Tyler Santucci’s departure for the NFL.
While it’s still early for predictions about which teams will make it to the conference championship games, Pate has boldly selected Georgia Tech to face Clemson in the 2025 ACC Championship. On his “Josh Pate’s College Football Show,” he confidently said: “Give me Clemson over Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game. Why? Because it’s risk-free, and nobody will hold me to this. This is a big year for Clemson, and I’m buying into their chances. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, has a real shot of making it to Charlotte. They could face some competition from Miami and Louisville, but Georgia Tech should be taken seriously. Had they beaten Georgia in that overtime thriller, more people would be talking about them as a serious contender. I like Georgia Tech a lot in 2025.”
If Georgia Tech does make it to the ACC Championship, it would be a significant achievement for head coach Brent Key and the program. The Yellow Jackets have had back-to-back 7-6 seasons, overcoming tough schedules, but now they’re looking to make a major leap. A trip to the ACC title game would likely put them in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff against Clemson.
Clemson (+270) has won eight of the last ten ACC Championships and remains the favorite for 2025. With key players returning from last year’s playoff squad, they’ll be a tough opponent. Miami (+310), boasting the most talented roster in the conference, will be in the mix, though they have to replace key players from last season. SMU (+440) made waves in 2024 and looks to continue that momentum, while Louisville (+500) aims for a second ACC title in three years under Jeff Brohm.
At +1300, Georgia Tech is fifth in the odds for the 2025 ACC Championship, reflecting their steady improvement under Brent Key. While the Yellow Jackets haven’t faced high preseason expectations in recent years, they’ve consistently exceeded them, making bowl games in both of Key’s first two seasons. With a strong returning roster, a top recruiting class, and a solid transfer portal haul, Georgia Tech could enter the 2025 season ranked in the top 25.
Although there’s still plenty of time until the season kicks off, Georgia Tech’s chances of being ranked in the preseason top 25 are strong. Quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes return, alongside Penn transfer Malachi Hosley and a talented receiving corps. The offensive line, with All-ACC guard Keylan Rutledge, should remain strong, and the defense showed marked improvement in 2024. With Buster Faulkner back as offensive coordinator and the hiring of Blake Gideon as the new defensive coordinator, the pieces are in place for a special season.
The 2025 schedule is more favorable than in previous years, with no Notre Dame, Miami, or SMU on the slate. While Georgia and Clemson will be tough opponents, the Yellow Jackets will have opportunities to make a run. A trip to Colorado could be challenging, but the Buffaloes are losing key players like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. All things considered, Georgia Tech’s 2025 season could be the one where they contend for an ACC title.
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