FSU football vs. Georgia Tech preview and prediction

FSU football will look to get back on the winning side of things when they host Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon.

The Noles have lost three consecutive games against ranked competition, and Georgia Tech limps into this game off a loss to Virginia, who hasn’t defeated a Power 5 team all season.

They will also likely be without starting QB Jeff Sims, which likely makes an anemic offense even worse. Georgia Tech’s defense isn’t terrible, but they aren’t elite.

They do a good job defending the pass and creating tackles behind the line of scrimmage. They are No. 4 nationally with a +10 turnover margin.

FSU football coaches have done a solid job of taking what the defense will allow this year, but their success Saturday will depend on how Georgia Tech decides to defend. FSU’s strength is a balanced attack, predicated on establishing the run game, and the better offenses Georgia Tech has faced have had success running the ball. Ole Miss ran it 62 times and had 316 rushing yards.

UCF ran it 56 times for 284 yards, so it would make sense for the Noles to take that approach, especially since Georgia Tech has a propensity for interceptions(9) this year.

I think FSU could start the game somewhat slow since it’s their first noon-kickoff, and they haven’t played in a couple of weeks.

However, Georgia Tech’s offense isn’t good and will likely mean the Georgia Tech defense will be on the field quite a bit and eventually wear down from FSU’s run game. As I mentioned in the three keys to winning the game, FSU has to avoid turning the ball over to give Georgia Tech any life early.

However, I expect the FSU football to eventually pull away and win the game comfortably. My prediction is the Noles will win 38-10.