Georgia Tech Snubbed From ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25

Georgia Tech finished the 2023 season 7-6 and with their first bowl win since 2016

The 2023 college football season officially ended last night with Michigan stomping Washington in the national championship and finishing the season 15-0 and national champions. 

Each year after the national championship, every major publication will release its way-too-early top 25 for next season, and in yesterday's way-too-early top 25 for the Sporting News, Georgia Tech made its early top 25. 

Here is what Sporting News Bill Bender had to say about the Yellow Jackets in 2024:

"Brent Key is building an ACC contender with the Yellow Jackets, and the return of quarterback Haynes King – who had 2,842 passing yards, 737 rushing yards and 37 total TDs is a good start. Running back Jamal Haynes (1,059 yards) is back, and Kyle Efford will anchor the defense. The Yellow Jackets added nine players via the portal. There is excitement heading into the Aug. 24 season-opener in Dublin, Ireland, against Florida State."

ESPN did not have Georgia Tech in its early top 25 however. 

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King / Nathaniel Caudell

The highest-ranked team in the ACC in ESPN's top 25 is Florida State at No. 16. Georgia Tech faces the Seminoles in the first big game of the 2024 season in Ireland. 

Clemson was at No. 19, NC State was at No. 20, Louisville at No. 22, and ACC newcomer SMU was at No. 23. Georgia Tech faces NC State and Louisville next season. 

Other 2024 opponents for Georgia Tech that were in the top 25 included No. Georgia and No. 10 Notre Dame. That makes potentially five ranked opponents on Georgia Tech's 2024 schedule and that is not including fringe top-25 teams such as Virginia Tech and Miami. The Yellow Jackets annually play one of the toughest schedules in the country and that is not going to change next season. 

Georgia Tech had a good first season under Brent Key, going 7-6, winning its first bowl game since 2016, and returning the majority of an offense that was one of the best in the ACC. The defense was a big issue though and Georgia Tech is still in the process of finding a defensive coordinator and that is going to be huge in determining the outlook for this team in 2024.

The things that Georgia Tech is going to have to improve on the most for next season is defense of course and turnovers. As good of a quarterback as Haynes King was in 2023, turnovers were an issue and he led the ACC in interceptions. Georgia Tech is also going to have to avoid losing games in which it is favored. As good as this season was, it could have been better if they had not dropped games against Bowling Green and Boston College. 

I think that Georgia Tech could be a top 25 caliber team in 2024 and has an opportunity to be a dark horse in the ACC next season. If Brent Key can fix some of the things outlined above, they can earn a place as a ranked team next season.

Who are the top 2025 Basketball Targets For Georgia Tech?

Follow us on social media for the latest news on Georgia Tech Athletics!

Facebook: All Yellow Jacket

Twitter: @AllYellowJacket