Where does ESPN predict Georgia Tech to finish in the ACC this season?

ESPN released their season predictions today

Jackson Caudell | Aug 21, 2023

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College football season is getting closer, with the week zero slate kicking things off this weekend. Whenever the season gets closer, that means prediction season kicks into high gear and today, ESPN released their conference predictions and picked where each team is going to finish.

The predictions were not in Georgia Tech's favor.

ESPN picked the Yellow Jackets to finish 13th in the conference with a 4-8 record. The only team that Georgia Tech finished ahead of was Virginia, who was picked to finish last in the ACC with a 3-9 record.

Clemson was picked to win the conference.

These predictions are in line with how the media voted at the ACC Kickoff in July. Georgia Tech was picked to finish 12th in the conference, only ahead of Virginia Tech and Virginia. When asked about where his team was picked, this is what head coach Brent Key had to say:

"I could care less, they could less, I could care less. Games are played on the field and I know it is that time of year when it is exciting to see the rankings and see those things and have a lot of good talking points for the next three or four weeks and that is what makes college football a passion and that is what it is, its the passion for the people that cover it, it is a passion for you guys, it's what yall do and helps you put information together but it means nothing to me. If I was not coaching I would be right there with you guys, reading them all and making the predictions, but not for us. Those external things have zero factor on how we come out and practice every day."

Georgia Tech Football — ESPN picked Georgia Tech to finish 12th in the ACC / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech has not made a bowl game since the 2018 season and that is going to be one of the goals for Key and his team this season. In just eight games as the interim head coach, Key went 4-4, with wins over Pitt, Duke, and North Carolina, who each won nine games last season. There is hope that with new coaching hires and new additions through the portal, Key can pick up where he left off.

First thing first though, Georgia Tech needs to figure out who is going to be the starting quarterback and they have yet to announce it. This decision is going to be one of the first important decision that Key will make during his time in Atlanta and here is what he had to say after the Yellow Jackets second scrimmage on Friday:

"I tell the coaches all the time and I tell the players as well that everyone in the program needs to know where they stand. That is the number one thing about being a football coach. Whether it be the head coach or the assistant coach. If you're playing, you better know why you are playing and if you are not playing, you need to know why you are not playing. There is no grey area in this program, it is my job to eliminate grey.

Now when it comes down to who is the starter or who is not the starter, that will be determined when we continue to go through our evaluation, just like we have since January 6th about what is best for this football team and once we know what is best for this football team, we will make a decision and you guys will know after that."

I think that Georgia Tech is going to finish higher than 13th in the ACC. While Georgia Tech's schedule is still tough (when isn't it?), there are some winnable games on the schedule and some of them are in Atlanta. The opening game of the season against Louisville sees Georgia Tech as only a touchdown underdog and if the Yellow Jackets can get a win next Friday, that can set the tone for the season. I see Georgia Tech finishing 6-6 this season and reaching a bowl game for the first time since 2018.

ESPN's predicted order of finish for the ACC (Record in parentheses)

Clemson (11-1, 8-0 ACC record)
Florida State (10-2, 7-1)
North Carolina (9-3, 5-3)
Pitt (8-4, 5-3)
Louisville (8-4, 5-3)
Miami (8-4, 5-3)
NC State (7-5, 4-4)
Wake Forest (7-5, 4-4)
Syracuse (7-5, 3-5)
Duke (6-6, 3-5)
Boston College (5-7, 2-6)
Virginia Tech (5-7, 2-6)
Georgia Tech (4-8, 2-6)
Virginia (3-9, 1-7)

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ESPN's predicted order of finish for the ACC (Record in parentheses)

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