Mapping Out Georgia Tech's Path Back To A Bowl Game

What games is Georgia Tech going to need to win to make a bowl game in 2023?

Jackson Caudell | May 27, 2023

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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech has not made a bowl game since the 2018 season, which was the final season of Paul Johnson's tenure with the program and under Geoff Collins, the Yellow Jackets never came close. After Brent Key took over after Collins was fired four games into the 2022 season, the Yellow Jackets finished 5-7. They had opportunities against Virginia and Miami to win and get into a bowl game but fell short.

Making a bowl game is likely to be one of this team's goals this season and while Georgia Tech is going to play one of the toughest schedules in the country, I do think there is a reasonable path for the Yellow Jackets to get back to the postseason.

Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron — Can Georgia Tech return to a bowl game in 2023? / Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Let's take a look at Georgia Tech's schedule.

The Yellow Jackets are going to open with a neutral site game against Louisville, a game in which they are currently eight-point underdogs. I think this is going to be a toss-up game. The Cardinals are going to be playing their first game under Jeff Brohm, who is one of the best offensive minds in the country and I think they will be able to score points. Their defense is a big question mark for me though and I think there is an opportunity for this to be a shootout if Georgia Tech has things figured out on offense.

Game No. 2 is against South Carolina State and I don't have to say much there. This should be an easy one in the win column.

Game No. 3 will be the first road trip of the year for the Yellow Jackets to Ole Miss, who is likely to start in the top 25 this season. The Rebels blew out Georgia Tech in Atlanta last season, but Collins was the head coach for that game. Ole Miss is likely to be a two-touchdown favorite or more in this game and I think it might be too early for Georgia Tech to go on the road and beat a quality SEC opponent right now.

Game No. 4 will be another road trip and this one will be at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons lost star quarterback Sam Hartman to the transfer portal (Notre Dame) and star receiver A.T. Perry is now in the NFL. Dave Clawson has built a really good program at Wake Forest, but this is a winnable game for GT. Wake's defense is vulnerable and their offense might take a slight step back without those two.

Game No. 5 for GT will be at home against Bowling Green, who is projected to be one of the worst teams in the country. This should be a layup win.

Georgia Tech running back Dontae Smith — Dontae Smith runs the ball against Virginia Tech / Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech opens the month of October with a trip to Miami and what the Hurricanes look like is anyone's guess. Miami had a terrible first season under Mario Cristobal but still has more talent on paper than Georgia Tech. One thing working in Tech's favor is that Miami has not been good coming off of a bye week in recent years and they will be coming off one when they face Georgia Tech. Miami does not have a big home-field advantage and while Georgia Tech will be an underdog, they can win this game. This was a close game until Zach Pyron was injured last season.

Georgia Tech then has a bye week before they return to Bobby Dodd to face Boston College. Eagles head coach Jeff Hafley is entering a pivotal season, but BC might be one of the two worst teams in the ACC entering this season. I think this is a must-win for Georgia Tech if they want to reach a bowl game.

The final game in October is homecoming for Georgia Tech and they will welcome North Carolina to Atlanta. The Tar Heels have been nationally ranked in the last two meetings against Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets have come out on top. Quarterback Drake Maye is back and North Carolina is expected to compete for a spot in the ACC Championship. You can't count out Georgia Tech in this game given the last two meetings.

After the home game against North Carolina, Georgia Tech travels to Virginia. The Yellow Jackets lost an ugly game to UVA last season and this is another game they have to win in my opinion to make a bowl game. Virginia might be the worst team in the conference and despite the game being on the road, GT might be favored.

Game No. 10 will be a road game against ACC rival Clemson. The last time the Yellow Jackets were in Death Valley, they almost pulled off a massive upset. Even in last year's game, Clemson pulled away, but Georgia Tech hung tough and only trailed by one score in the third quarter. Clemson is significantly more talented than Georgia Tech and I think this is going to be a tough atmosphere to pull an upset in.

The final ACC game of the season comes in game No. 11 against Syracuse. The Orange stumbled after a 6-0 start last season and lose a ton of talent off last year's team, as well as offensive coordinator Robert Anae. Dino Babers should have things figured out by then, but this is a must-win for Georgia Tech's bowl game hopes.

The last game of the year is the big rivalry game against Georgia and anything can happen, but this is not a game I expect to be competitive this early in Key's tenure.

So to recap, I think Georgia Tech HAS to win the games against South Carolina State, Bowling Green, Virginia, Boston College, and Syracuse. Those are very winnable games they will be favored in and if they win them, that gets them to five wins. In my opinion, the games against Georgia, Clemson, and Ole Miss are going to be too tough to win this year and that leaves them games against Louisville, Wake, Miami, and North Carolina. Upset one of those teams (I think Wake is the most likely) and that gets Georgia Tech to 6-6. Win multiple and it could be the best season in Atlanta in a few years.

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