Five Most Intriguing Games On Georgia Tech's 2023 Schedule

Georgia Tech has a number of interesting games on its 2023 schedule

The ACC schedule was released this week and every team knows when and where they will be playing. 

For Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets are going to be trying to get back to a bowl game for the first time since 2018. Brent Key is going to have some challenges navigating his first full schedule, as there are some challenging opponents on it, but there is a path to a bowl game.

This is the first ACC schedule since the ACC implemented the new 3-5-5 scheduling model and Georgia Tech will be facing their new permanent three opponents Clemson, Wake Forest, and Louisville. The other five opponents on this year's schedule include Miami, North Carolina, Syracuse, Boston College, and Virginia. 

So what are the five most intriguing games on the 2023 schedule for Georgia Tech?

5. At Ole Miss (Sept. 16th)

Georgia Tech Linebacker Ace Eley makes a tackle vs Ole Miss
Georgia Tech lost to Ole Miss 42-3 last season in Atlanta / Georgia Tech Athletics

Having an SEC opponent that is not on the schedule regularly will always be intriguing, but this could be a serious measuring stick for Brent Key's squad next season. After playing Louisville in Mercedes Benz and then South Carolina State at Bobby Dodd, this will be the first true road game for the Yellow Jackets in the 2023 season. 

Ole Miss is likely going to be a top-25 team heading into the season and will feature talented players such as running back Quinshon Judkins. The Rebels had another good transfer portal class and coach Lane Kiffin is still one of the best offensive play callers in college football. Georgia Tech will be out for revenge in this game. 

4. Georgia (Nov. 25)

Georgia Tech Football vs Georgia
Georgia Tech will host Georgia on November 25th / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech was more than a 30-point underdog in Athens last season, but put up a much better fight than anticipated against the Bulldogs. Still, Tech has not beaten Georgia since 2016, but Brent Key wants the gap to close between the two teams and said as much at his opening press conference:

"There is one thing I want everyone in this room to understand and everyone associated with Georgia Tech understands... There is an opponent in this state we will work 365 days a year to defeat. We will work 365 days a year to dominate. When we all wake up in the morning, we want to dominate our opponent. The feeling of dominating your opponent is like no other and whatever team is on our schedule, that will be our goal. That is what we will work towards every single day.

Players in here, understand that. That is our goal and that is our mindset. We have an opponent in this state that is included in that. For 365 days, we will work to dominate that opponent. Understand that."

Georgia has won back-to-back national championships and is the premier program in the country now. This game will be a chance to see how much improvement Georgia Tech has made since its last matchup. 

3. At Wake Forest (Sept. 23rd)

Georgia Tech running back Dontae Smith
Georgia Tech travels to Wake Forest on September 23rd.  / Georgia Tech Athletics

I think the road trip to Wake Forest is one of the most pivotal games of the season for Georgia Tech. The Demon Deacons are going to be missing quarterback Sam Hartman and wide receiver A.T. Perry, but head coach Dave Clawson will have his team ready to play. 

If Georgia Tech can win this game, I like to think it improves their chances of making a bowl game a great deal. Catching Wake early in the season while they are still piecing together new starters could be key, but Winston-Salem is not an easy place to play. 

2. North Carolina (Oct. 28th)

Georgia Tech vs North Carolina
Can Georgia Tech upset North Carolina again in 2023? / Georgia Tech Athletics

North Carolina has been a huge favorite the past couple of seasons against North Carolina, but the Yellow Jackets pulled the upset on both occasions, last season in Chapel Hill when North Carolina was No. 13. Superstar quarterback and Heisman contender Drake Maye returns for North Carolina and former Yellow Jackets Nate McCollum and Derrik Allen will be suiting up for the Tar Heels as well. 

These two teams will not be facing each other on a regular basis anymore with the new scheduling system. North Carolina is likely to be favored again in this game, but Georgia Tech will have home-field advantage. Can Georgia Tech extend its winning streak against Mack Brown's Tar Heels?

1. Louisville (Sept 1st)

Georgia Tech interim head coach Brent Key
Brent Key and Georgia Tech will kick off the 2023 season against Louisville / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There are plenty of headlines for this game. It is the first matchup between Brent Key and Jeff Brohm, both now the head coaches of their alma maters. It is also the first game of the season and both teams are going to be looking to start their season off on the right foot.

If Georgia Tech were to win this game, it would be huge. It would start the 2023 season off with a win, which would be the first season-opening win since defeating Florida State in 2020. The Cardinals are going to be a tough opponent and Brohm is one of the best offensive minds in the country. The game is on a Friday night and is likely to be on national television as well. This is a huge game for both teams and that is why I think it is the most intriguing game of the season. 

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Jackson Caudell
JACKSON CAUDELL

Jackson Caudell has been covering Georgia Tech Athletics For On SI since March 2022 and the Atlanta Hawks for On SI since October 2023. Jackson is also the co-host of the Bleav in Georgia Tech podcast and he loves to bring thoughtful analysis and comprehensive coverage to everything that he does. Find him on X @jacksoncaudell