College Football Predictions – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2020 College Football Preview
August 16, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 3-8-1
The Yellow Jackets and their new HC Geoff Collins came into the season KNOWING they had a tough road ahead. Moving from the long-time triple-option offense was going to result in a lot of growing pains. Well, they only won three games, but they were more competitive than many people expected, even when considering the loss to The Citadel. Oops. The highlight of the campaign was when they were able to SHOCK the WORLD and defeat Miami on the road.
How much improvement can we expect in 2020? Let’s dig in.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
ACC – #13
<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
Predictably, the Georgia Tech offense was one of the worst units in college football last year (#14 total offense ACC, #127 FBS), and they couldn’t do much of anything trying to fit square pegs into round holes. The rushing attack was ok (#8 ACC) but they were horrid on 3rd downs (30%, 2nd last ACC) and horrific in the red zone (dead last FBS RZ offense).
It’s fair to expect a bit of improvement in their second year removed from the triple option attack. It’s unclear who will snag the starting QB gig as we approach press time but the most likely scenario is that the Yellow Jackets continue with James Graham at the controls (45%, 12-7 TD to INT LY). Nobody on the squad tallied more than 500 receiving yards LY but it’ll help to have continuity at WR and note that #1 WR Ahmarean Brown averaged an impressive 18.9 yards per reception (7 TD). The best news for the offense is the return of #1 RB Jordan Mason who rushed for 899 yards and 7 TD LY (5.2). He’ll be running behind an offensive line that returns three starters and boasts the addition of a pair of talented grad transfers (Devin Cochran – Vanderbilt, Ryan Johnson – Tennessee). <update – D Cochran is not with the team>
We forecast a small step forward and think it’ll take one more year before we see real improvement.
DEFENSE
The defense had their issues last year but recall that they spent a LONNNNNG time (#121 FBS time of possession) on the field. There’s reason for optimism as they return plenty of starters and a good portion of last season’s top-15 tacklers. It’s unclear how much talent the Yellow Jackets have on the defensive line but Florida transfer Antonneous Clayton should add a spark at DE. Leading tackler LB David Curry is back in the mix and the secondary looks like the strength of the defense with a lot of returning experience.
Two areas that need improvement this year are the run defense (dead last ACC, 215 YPG) and the ability to achieve PENETRATION (17 sacks, dead last ACC, #T111 FBS). Ok, maybe there’s a third area. Georgia Tech only bagged 7 INTs a season ago and could definitely use some extra turnovers in order to be competitive in more games.
SPECIAL TEAMS
They’ll need to break in a new PK and note that they were a HOT MESS in the FG department LY (3/8 as a team) (!). Punter Pressley Harvin III has been a solid performer for the Yellow Jackets and he’s back for his senior season. The return units could use some additional spice (#59 kick returns FBS, #110 punt returns LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The non-conference opponent is YIKES (UCF) and their first two AAC tilts are ON THE HIGHWAY (Seminoles, Orange). The difficulty of schedule is not a yuuuuge issue given that they’re just trying to get another season of improvement under their belt in 2020.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Miami (November 21st)
REVENGE IS A DISH BEST-SERVED COLD.
Season Win Total
Over 2.5 -115
Under 2.5 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
Hmm. They’ll be a lot better this year but it may not show up in the win column. There aren’t too many wins on the docket. Taking a pass for now. Gun to the head would probably take the ‘over’ since they do have a lot of returning experience and a fine HC.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Bobby Dodd Stadium is the oldest continuously-used stadium in the FBS. Georgia Tech played it’s first game at what was originally named Grant Field in September of 1913. For history buffs (not too many of those around these days), that was before the start of World War I.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
It’ll definitely be interesting to see how much progress the Yellow Jackets can make in Geoff Collins’ 2nd year at the controls. The defense appears to be moving in the right direction and that isn’t a surprise given Collins’ defensive CHOPS. How soon can the offense pull its weight? Good question. They still need more playmakers but they’ll almost certainly be in more games heading into the 4th quarter. Realistically speaking, it’s one more year before they have a shot to reach the .500 mark.
Want more Georgia Tech football ?
WEBSITE
https://ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/
FORUM
https://gtswarm.com/forums/georgia-tech-football.4/
https://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-buzz-members-only.6/
NEWS
http://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/
http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/59/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets
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