Florida State Football: Can Seminoles take first big step vs. Georgia Tech?

Both Georgia Tech and Florida State football look for bounce-back seasons following disappointment in 2019, but which one gets the win in Week 2?

Florida State enters a new era of Seminole football as Mike Norvell brings over his fast-paced, high scoring offense from Memphis, in an effort to return the Seminoles back atop the ACC.

As for their Week 1 opponent, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, they enter 2020 in year No. 2 of the Geoff Collins era. His impact is about as big as it can get, especially for a team like Georgia Tech, as he has abandoned the Yellow Jackets triple-option run offense for a more traditional and modern offense that involves more passing than Georgia Tech has been accustomed to.

Florida State will also have a balanced attack this season, in an offense that will look to get more than just the wide receivers involved in the passing game. Norvell’s offense rivals that of one that is ran in the NFL, as he likes to get the running back involved in the passing game by lining them up not only in the backfield but also out wide or in the slot.

Both of these teams finished below .500 in 2019 and want to show a step in the right direction in 2020, and there’s no better way than doing that by starting off your season with a win. But not both teams can be winners (duh) but each team can have some strong takeaways to build on if this game is close. Both are a year or two away from being in the conversation of competing for an ACC title but they can still take some minor victories from their losses along the way.

Here is everything you need to know for this matchup between Florida State and Georgia Tech:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tallahassee, Fla.
Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For Florida State, their offense may struggle out the gate as it is the team’s fourth offense in four years, but Norvell has the offensive mind to make adjustments wherever necessary and get the Seminoles rolling on offense. If the Seminoles can avoid turnovers, they should have no issues winning this one.

On defense, they need to contain the run game and force Georgia Tech into second and third and long situations. This team is still getting used to relying on the passing game, so applying pressure will for the Yellow Jackets to make mistakes and turn the ball over.

For Georgia Tech, they need to establish their passing game and find a rhythm to keep the Seminoles on their heels. If Tech struggles to move the ball in the air, it will be tough to put points on the board against the Seminoles.

For the Yellow Jackets’ defense, they need to eliminate the big plays that Florida State’s offense presents. Norvell is a home run hitter and will try to take a commanding lead in this one early.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of The Action Network

Point Spread: Florida State -12.5
Over/under: 51.5

Prediction

Both teams come out struggling, and both turn the ball over several times throughout this game. It will be race to see who gets settled in first and that goes to Florida State. The Seminoles defensive line is in the backfield all game long and force a couple of turnovers setting up their offense in great field position. The Yellow Jackets get settled in eventually, but it too little, too late as the Seminoles pick up the win.

Final Score: Florida State 34, Georgia Tech 20