Florida State Seminoles running back Lawrance Toafili (9) celebrates his touchdown. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Louisville Cardinals 16-6 to claim the ACC Championship title in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
- We’ve made our Georgia Tech vs Florida State prediction for College Football Week 0
- The CFB Week 0 odds favor Mike Norvell’s team to secure a conceiving win in Ireland
- Read below for FSU vs Georgia Tech prediction, player props, and betting odds
The 2024 college football season is upon us, and we’ve got an exciting Week 0 ACC matchup to kick things off. The #10 Florida State Seminoles will face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Florida State enters the season with high expectations after an undefeated regular season in 2023 that left them just short of the College Football Playoff. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is looking to build on their first winning season since 2018.
The Seminoles are favored by 11.5 points, but can the Yellow Jackets pull off the upset? Let’s dive into our FSU vs GA Tech prediction.
Georgia Tech vs Florida State Prediction
Florida State has an experienced and deep roster, with 73 players returning, including nine All-ACC selections. Fifth-year senior RB Lawrance Toafili is expected to have a big year, and the receiving corps features talented veterans like TE Kyle Morlock and WR Ja’Khi Douglas.
The main uncertainty for FSU is at quarterback, where transfer DJ Uiagalelei looks to prove himself after an up-and-down career at Clemson and Oregon State. The Seminoles would undoubtedly be a heavier Week 0 favorite if Jordan Travis was still on the roster.
Mike Norvell on DJ Uiagalelei: “I couldn’t be any more pleased with what I’ve seen since January.”
“He’s playing with a lot of confidence.” #FSU’s new QB1 is ready to go. #Noles pic.twitter.com/nWmbS3997x
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 18, 2024
Georgia Tech’s offense will be led by dual-threat QB Haynes King, who put up over 3,500 total yards and 37 TDs last season. His mobility could cause problems for Florida State’s inexperienced defense. The Yellow Jackets also return leading rusher Jamal Haynes, giving them a potentially lethal ground attack.
Florida State’s biggest advantage is in the trenches. Their offensive line, led by standouts Darius Washington and Maurice Smith, is one of the best in the nation. They’ll aim to dominate a Georgia Tech defensive front that struggled against the run in 2023.
For GA Tech to have a chance, they’ll need to start fast and apply pressure to FSU early. They could keep it close if they can establish the run and hit some big plays for WR Eric Singleton Jr. However, Florida State’s overall talent and physicality will likely prove too much in the end.
One Week 0 player to watch out for is Georgia Tech WR Eric Singleton Jr. 🐝
Earned CFN Freshman All-American honors last season after torching defenses with his impressive speed and catch-point reliability 🔥 @GeorgiaTechFB | @cfbireland
pic.twitter.com/ZIBId5JE2y— Oliver Hodgkinson (@ojhodgkinson) August 13, 2024
I’m predicting a 7-10-point victory for Florida State. While the Seminoles should win comfortably, I like Georgia Tech to cover the 11.5-point spread. The Yellow Jackets have covered in eight of the last nine meetings and went 7-2 ATS as an underdog in 2023.
Not to mention, the line movement from FSU -12.5 to -11.5 indicates some sharp action on Georgia Tech. Week 0 is always difficult for college football predictions, but the underdog holds value here with question marks for both teams.
FSU vs GA Tech Pick:
- GA Tech +11.5 (-110)
Florida State vs Georgia Tech Player Props
Here are a couple of the Florida State vs GA Tech player props I’ve locked in for Saturday’s game:
Haynes King Over 200+ Passing Yards (DK)
King averaged 237 passing yards per game in 2023 and will likely need to air it out for Georgia Tech to stay competitive. With FSU keying on stopping the run, look for King to eclipse this total, especially if the Yellow Jackets are trailing in the second half.
Lawrance Toafili Over 89.5 Rushing Yards
As the lead back in a high-powered Florida State offense, Toafili should see plenty of touches against a Georgia Tech defense that allowed over 200 rushing yards per game last season.
With FSU likely to lean on their ground game to control the clock and wear down the Yellow Jackets, Toafili has a great chance to eclipse this total, especially if the Seminoles build a lead and look to salt away the game in the second half.
FSU vs Georgia Tech Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State | -11.5 (-110) | -455 | Over 55.5 (-110) |
| Georgia Tech | +11.5 (-110) | +345 | Under 55.5 (-110) |
Florida State is currently an 11.5-point favorite over Georgia Tech with a -455 moneyline (implying an 82% win probability). Georgia Tech comes back at +345 on the moneyline (22.5% implied probability). The total is set at 55.5 points.
The Seminoles are favored due to their high-end talent, experience, and physicality in the trenches. FSU’s domination of the ACC (12 straight conference wins) and status as a National title odds contender also factor in heavily.
Georgia Tech is a live underdog based on last year’s ATS success and the continuity of returning their starting QB and RB. The Yellow Jackets have also covered in eight of the past nine meetings.
The total of 55.5 points is on the lower end for a neutral site game with a noon local kickoff. Both teams want to establish the run which could lead to a lower-scoring game, though the number has already fallen from 57 to 55.5 since opening.
Odds as of August 20, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Register with the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on CFB Week 0.
FSU vs GA Tech Public Money
The betting splits show a clear public lean on the favorite. 72% of bets and 66% of the money is backing Florida State -11.5. On the moneyline, a whopping 92% of bets and 98% of dollars are on the Seminoles. As for the total, 58% of bets and 55% of cash is on the Over 55.5.
Despite the public loading up on Florida State, the line movement towards Georgia Tech suggests there is respected money grabbing the points with the underdog. The Yellow Jackets have value at +11.5 against an FSU squad that may not be firing on all cylinders in Week 0.
The sharpest play might be the under, as the total has dipped two full points from the opener, even with a majority of bets on the over. We gave out the “over” in our CFB Week 0 early predictions but caution that we are now going up against heavy sharp action on this play.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
College football is finally back, and what better way to kick off the season than with a matchup between two ACC powerhouses – Florida State and Georgia Tech. Both teams are looking to start the season on a high note and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
Florida State comes into this game with high expectations after a disappointing 2020 season. Head coach Mike Norvell is looking to turn things around in his second year at the helm, and he has a talented roster to work with. Quarterback McKenzie Milton, a transfer from UCF, is expected to lead the offense and bring some much-needed stability to the position. The Seminoles also have a strong group of receivers, led by Ontaria Wilson and Jordan Young, who will look to make plays down the field.
On the other side of the ball, Florida State’s defense will be led by standout defensive end Jermaine Johnson, a transfer from Georgia. Johnson is a disruptive force off the edge and will look to wreak havoc in the Georgia Tech backfield. The Seminoles also have a solid secondary, anchored by cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who is looking to build on a strong 2020 campaign.
Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is coming off a solid 2020 season under head coach Geoff Collins. The Yellow Jackets have a dynamic offense led by quarterback Jeff Sims, who showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman last season. Sims has a strong arm and the ability to make plays with his legs, which will pose a challenge for the Florida State defense. The Yellow Jackets also have a talented group of running backs, including Jahmyr Gibbs and Dontae Smith, who will look to keep the Seminoles’ defense on their toes.
Defensively, Georgia Tech will look to improve on their performance from last season. The Yellow Jackets have some playmakers on that side of the ball, including linebacker Quez Jackson and defensive end Jordan Domineck. They will need to step up and contain the explosive Florida State offense if they want to come out on top in this matchup.
As for predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have talent on both sides of the ball, and it could come down to which team makes fewer mistakes. I predict that Florida State will come out on top in a close game, with McKenzie Milton leading the Seminoles to victory.
In terms of player props, keep an eye on McKenzie Milton to have a big game through the air. Look for him to connect with Ontaria Wilson and Jordan Young for some big plays down the field. On the Georgia Tech side, Jeff Sims will look to make plays with his arm and his legs, so expect him to put up some solid numbers in this game.
As for the odds, Florida State is currently listed as a slight favorite in this matchup. The Seminoles are -3.5 point favorites, with an over/under set at 54 points. This game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, so bettors may want to consider taking the over in this one.
Overall, this Week 0 matchup between Florida State and Georgia Tech promises to be an exciting one. Both teams are looking to start the season on a high note and set the tone for what should be an entertaining college football season. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action as these two ACC rivals battle it out on the gridiron.