As the college football season approaches, teams are gearing up for another year of intense competition. One team that has caught attention is the Georgia Institute of Technology, or simply Georgia Tech. With their explosive offense and a number of returning starters, expectations are high for the Yellow Jackets to make some noise this season.
Under the guidance of head coach Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech’s offense has become one of the most feared in the nation. In 2023, they averaged an impressive 34 points per game, which ranked them among the top 30 teams in the country. With a strong core of returning players, including quarterback Zach Gibson and running back Dontae Smith, fans are excited to see what this season has in store.
One of the key components of Georgia Tech’s offense is their ability to get big plays on the ground. In 2023, they averaged over 200 rushing yards per game, which was good for 15th in the nation. This is largely due to the presence of Dontae Smith, who had an impressive freshman campaign with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
However, Georgia Tech’s offense isn’t just one-dimensional. They also have a strong passing attack, led by quarterback Zach Gibson. In his first season as a starter in 2023, Gibson threw for over 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. With another year of experience under his belt, fans are expecting even bigger things from the junior signal-caller.
But Georgia Tech’s success on offense isn’t just about individual players – it’s also about their ability to execute as a unit. In 2023, they converted over 50% of their third downs, which ranked them among the top 20 teams in the country. This is a testament to the team’s ability to adapt and make plays when it matters most.
Of course, Georgia Tech’s success won’t just be based on their offense alone. They’ll also need to shore up some defensive issues from last season. In 2023, they allowed an average of over 30 points per game, which ranked them near the bottom of the country in terms of scoring defense.
To address these issues, Georgia Tech has made some key additions on defense. They’ve brought in a number of new faces, including linebacker Bryson Johnson and defensive back Jalen Alexander. These players will be tasked with helping to shut down opposing offenses and give their team a chance to win.
In the end, whether or not Georgia Tech’s offense can carry them to success in 2024 will depend on a number of factors. They’ll need to continue to make big plays on both sides of the ball, while also staying healthy and avoiding costly mistakes. If they can do that, there’s no reason why they can’t be one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.
Georgia Tech Football: By the Numbers
- Average points per game (2023): 34
- Rushing yards per game (2023): 200+
- Passing yards per game (2023): 250+
- Third down conversion rate (2023): 50%
- Scoring defense average (2023): 30+
Georgia Tech’s Top Returning Players
- Quarterback: Zach Gibson
- Running back: Dontae Smith
- Linebacker: Bryson Johnson
- Defensive back: Jalen Alexander
