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Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse: Crystal Ball Predictions

Jaron (2-0): Georgia Tech 24, Syracuse 17

Let’s first put this out thereРif Syracuse is going to win an ACC game this season, this is going to be the one. Now that that has been said, it’s still not going to happen. Both of these teams are bottom feeders in the conference and have more weaknesses than strengths. As good as the Syracuse defense is with Mikel Jones and Andre Cisco at the helm, you have to be able to score to win games. The SU offense just has too many question marks to confidently say they can win a game right now. Who is going to be the starting quarterback? Does he stay in the whole game? Will the offensive line be fixed? How is the rushing game going to look? All of these worries don’t instill confidence. On the other side, Georgia Tech isn’t perfect either. The Yellow Jackets are still figuring out life without the triple option. They do, however, have a stud true freshman, Jahmyr Gibbs, in the backfield who is coming off an ACC Rookie of the Week performance for tallying over 200 all purpose yards. They also have a solid defensive line. It’s not as good as UNC and Pitt, but it’ll definitely get to the SU quarterback a handful of times on Saturday. Again, if Syracuse wants to win an ACC game, this should be the one. I just don’t see it. It’ll be close, but defense only wins championships if you have a competent offense.

John (2-0): Syracuse 20, Georgia Tech 16

This is a very intriguing matchup. Apparently not to television providers, but to Syracuse and Georgia Tech fans this one‚Äôs a toss up. I think Georgia Tech has talent but it’s young and inexperienced talent. I see Syracuse finally getting something going offensively, as in scoring more than 10 points. I think the defense shuts down the GT passing game and brings the pressure all day. I got Syracuse winning a defensive struggle, and I suggest you hammer the under which is currently set at 52.5.

Gill (2-0): Georgia Tech 31, Syracuse 21

This is theoretically a good matchup for Syracuse. Georgia Tech doesn’t have a great defensive line and their offense, led by true freshman quarterback Jeff Sims, has been very turnover prone early on. Syracuse has a chance to hold up better in the trenches, and 1-3 interceptions for SU is a pretty safe bet. With that being said, Georgia Tech is the most underrated team in the ACC for my money. The turnaround under Geoff Collins is happening faster than people expected, and there’s too much talent for the Orange to handle. Sims is making mistakes, but flashing his talent and moving the ball, plus running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Jordan Mason are both elite. The Yellowjackets defense is strong in the secondary, and I don’t envision Syracuse receivers getting open in the passing game. This game will be higher scoring than the first two, but SU falls to another top-half ACC team. 

Thomas (2-0): Georgia Tech 21, Syracuse 13

Similar to the last couple of weeks, Syracuse’s defense and special teams will give the offense opportunities. Unfortunately, Tommy DeVito won’t be able to punch the ball into the end zone. After a humiliating 49-21 loss to UCF, Georgia Tech will be aggressive in its first¬†game ever at a college stadium in New York. And even though Geoff Collins is still in the midst of establishing his pro style, fast paced offense for the Yellow Jackets, his roster is already more talented than Babers’. But at the end of the day, Syracuse loses this game because¬†of its anemic offense. Once again, the defense plays well. Unfortunately, the offense continues to be the problem.¬†

Ian (2-0): Syracuse 27, Georgia Tech 24

Playing in the Dome has to be a welcome comfort for the Orange, and playing against a defense that gave up over 400 yards through the air should be even more reassuring for an offense that can’t find its footing. GT’s defense was beaten by UCF last week because of their inexperience and UCF’s talent at skill positions. While SU might not have that same talent, inexperience is still a huge factor, and Syracuse should be able to put points up on the board if they exploit it. The Yellow Jackets start Jeff Sims, a freshman, under center. Sims has thrown four interceptions already. Expect the Orange to capitalize off turnovers this Saturday, and maybe even score a defensive touchdown. Syracuse should ring in the new roof with a win.

Brad (2-0): Syracuse 14, Georgia Tech 10

Any game Syracuse is predicted to win will be low scoring. SU’s offense ranks last in the FBS. The reason Syracuse will win this game is very simple. It’s not that they’re christening the new and improved Dome, not that Tommy DeVito is expected to break out of his shell and have a great game, but that this is the Orange’s best chance to win a conference game. With a true freshman quarterback at the helm of an offense lacking identity, Georgia Tech might be the weakest opponent on Syracuse’s schedule. If Syracuse is going to win an ACC game it is likely this one.

Matt (2-0): Syracuse 23, Georgia Tech 20

This is SU’s only good shot at a conference win. However, Georgia Tech isn’t a pushover as they showed in their Week 1 conference win over Florida State. The SU defense has got show up if the Orange are going to win this game. If that secondary can make Jeff Simms pay for mistakes, and if that SU front 7 can penetrate the GT O-line, SU wins.

Harrison (2-0): Georgia Tech 31, Syracuse 20

Returning home to face Georgia Tech, in the first ever game inside the new dome, should be the Orange‚Äôs most manageable test thus far. However, Yellow Jackets quarterback Jeff Sims has proven he can be dangerous, in the early going. The freshman is currently ranked second in the ACC in passing yards and sixth in rushing. One thing that could work in SU‚Äôs favor is that Sims has thrown four picks in GT‚Äôs first two contests ‚Äì and will now be facing an Orange defense that has forced its fair share of turnovers. All in all, this one may very well come down to how well Syracuse can move the ball, and score versus the Yellow Jackets‚Äô defense. Based on SU‚Äôs first two games, this is certainly far from guaranteed. As a result, in a close game, I think GT walks out with the win. 

The Fizz is owned, edited and operated by Damon Amendolara. D.A. is an ’01 Syracuse graduate from the Newhouse School with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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