No. 23 Georgia Tech is ranked for first time since 2015, and faces road test against Syracuse
No. 23 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC) will face Syracuse (1-0, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday at noon ET (ACC Network).
BetMGM College Football Odds: Georgia Tech favored by 2.5 points.
Series record: Georgia Tech leads 4-1.
This early conference clash is vital for the winning team’s confidence. Georgia Tech, ranked for the first time since 2015, has surprisingly started strong with an upset over Florida State and a straightforward victory against Georgia State. A win against the Yellow Jackets could set Syracuse on a potential 4-0 trajectory, especially with upcoming home games against Stanford and Holy Cross. A road victory would further legitimize Georgia Tech’s ranking. Even at this early stage of the season, the winner will grab the top spot in the ACC, at least temporarily.
Georgia Tech’s rushing attack vs. Syracuse’s defense: The Orange gave up 255 rushing yards to Ohio, and coach Fran Brown emphasized the need to “stop the run” when addressing the challenge posed by Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have rushed for 415 yards in their first two outings. Syracuse will also miss linebacker Marlowe Wax for about six weeks due to a leg injury, putting extra pressure on the defense. The Orange will rely on quarterback Kyle McCord and the offense to manage the clock against what was last year’s weakest defense in the league.
For Georgia Tech, running back Jamal Haynes averages 5.7 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns with 159 yards over the two games. If he can gain significant yardage and keep the ball away from Syracuse, the Yellow Jackets will be in a strong position
Syracuse: Coach Brown mentioned that replacing Wax at linebacker will require two to three players. West Virginia transfer James Heard and Anwar Sparrows are set to fill that role. Their performance in Wax’s absence could significantly influence the game’s outcome.
Georgia Tech is 2-0 for the first time since 2016. The Yellow Jackets averaged 7.8 yards per play against Georgia State, outgaining them 496-360, with 225 rushing yards. They held the Panthers to 3-of-12 on third downs and recorded eight tackles for loss. Georgia Tech is one of the least frequently faced opponents for Syracuse since joining the ACC. Syracuse also committed six penalties in their season opener, and eight different players caught passes against Ohio.
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