By the Numbers:

Georgia Tech returns the following, according to SB Nation’s Bill Connelly (@SBN_BillC ):

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 66% (72nd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 52% (108th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning 59% (98th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Paul Johnson (75-54 at Georgia Tech, 182-93 All-Time)

Trust the Process:

I’ll be using a standard format across all Chop’s Takes:

1. I’ll take a look at the above returning production (keeping in mind the evaluation of talent applicable to each ACC Program) and compare to each team they face on their schedule.
2. I’ll look at the opponent faced the week before, that game’s final score, and days passed before the current game being evaluated.
3. I’ll take a look at the opponent the ACC team faces after the present game, considering look-ahead games and rivalries, and days separating that game from the present.
4. I’ll weigh advantages of home versus away games for each game.
5. Where possible, I’ll take into consideration potential weather considerations (not Hurricanes or other natural disasters but rather seasonal conditions).

Georgia Tech 2018 Football Schedule:

Alcorn State (September 1st, 2018 at home)

• Head Coach: Fred McNair (12-11 at Alcorn State & All-Time)
• Previous Game: TBD
• Following Game: LA College (9/8/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech WIN

I’ll keep this brief: ACC teams SHOULD win their FCS match-ups. Georgia Tech is at home against a vastly inferior opponent. Georgia Tech should win this. Next.

University of South Florida (September 8th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 38% (125th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 54% (100th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 46% (125th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Charlie Strong (10-2 at USF, 63-39 All-Time)
• Previous Game: Elon (9/1/18)
• Following Game: Illinois (9/15/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech WIN

Playing at USF can be tough. Thankfully for the Yellow Jackets, the returning roster at USF won’t boast the talent or experience necessary to stop the option attack. Georgia Tech wins this one.

Pittsburgh (September 15th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 60% (84th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 75% (33rd in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 67% (57th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (21-17 at Pitt/All Time)
• Previous Game: Penn State (9/8/18) [Rivalry]
• Following Game: North Carolina (9/22/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

The first loss of the season will come at the hands of Pitt, whom fields a more veteran and (from a talent standpoint) balanced team when compared to Georgia Tech. The option is difficult to defend against, however Pitt’s veteran starters returning on defense should be capable of defending their home territory against the option. After a heated rivalry game versus the hated Penn State Nittany Lions, Pitt will want blood. They’ll get it.

Clemson (September 22nd, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 73% (45th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 75% (32nd in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 74% (28th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (101-30 at Clemson/All Time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: Georgia Southern (9/15/18)
• Following Game: Syracuse (9/29/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

Ouch, this’ll hurt. Tough rivalry game. Clemson has no look-ahead games on their schedule at this point. Rivalry. The one thing I see Georgia Tech having at their advantage is the home stadium crowd at their support. But I don’t believe it’ll be enough to stop Clemson.

Bowling Green (September 29th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 68% (66th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 85% (13th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 76% (18th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Mike Jinks (6-18 at Bowling Green, 85-43 All-Time)
• Previous Game: Miami OH (9/22/18)
• Following Game: Toledo (10/6/18) [Rivalry]

Prediction: Georgia Tech WIN

In a sneaky-good game, Bowling Green will give Georgia Tech a scare. This is due to the experience on Defense at Bowling Green. The head coach is eager to prove himself. However, at home, against the option and talent at Georgia Tech and the experience Paul Johnson brings as a head coach, and fight that Georgia Tech will need this season to find themselves bowling, I just don’t see this game going anywhere else but in the W column for the Yellow Jackets.

Louisville (October 5th, 2018 Friday Night away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 54% (102nd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 38% (127th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 46% (124th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Bobby Petrino (75-27 at Louisville, 120-58 All Time)
• Previous Game: Florida State (9/29/18)
• Following Game: Boston College (10/13/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

A surprise perhaps given the lackluster talent that Louisville fields this season, I see a Friday night game where Louisville will be steaming for revenge after a loss to FSU. Louisville returns just enough talent to keep the game competitive against Georgia Tech, and in the end, pull the upset.

Duke (October 13th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 82% (20th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 78% (25th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning 80% (11th in FBS)
• Head Coach: David Cutcliff (59-67 at Duke, 103-96 All Time)
• Previous Game: VT (9/29/18)
• Following Game: Virginia (10/20/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

What an ugly two-game stretch for Georgia Tech! Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, Duke returns some of the most talent on their roster in the country. Duke also had a bye the week before, followed by a game that isn’t too much of a look-ahead. Duke will make their way to Atlanta and snatch victory from Georgia Tech, putting them in poor position to make a bowl in the 2018 season.

Virginia Tech (October 25th, 2018 Thursday Night away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 68% (65th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 64% (67th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 66% (62nd in FBS)
• Head Coach: Justin Fuente (19-8 at VT, 45-31 All Time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: UNC (10/13/18)
• Following Game: Boston College (11/3/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

Ouch! Georgia Tech just can’t seem to win one this season. On a three game losing streak, Georgia Tech will tumble at Blacksburg, to the sound of Sandman ringing in their ears. VT returns too much talent, and both teams come off fresh with byes. VT doesn’t have a look-ahead either, with this being their focus as fellow rivals.

North Carolina (November 3rd, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 77% (33rd in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 70% (46th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 73% (30th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Larry Fedora (43-34 at UNC, 77-53 All Time)
• Previous Game:  Virginia (10/27/18) [Rivalry]
• Following Game: Duke (11/10/18) [Rivalry

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

What on Earth, Georgia Tech! What a series of unfortunate events. Fully realizing that Georgia Tech’s option attack is tricky, and the fact that this game is nestled between two rivalry games, one would think this game would slip away from North Carolina. The numbers above tell me otherwise. They tell me, despite those variables, North Carolina should win this game and, in fact, be competitive in the ACC Coastal this season, all based around returning talent.

Miami (November 10th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 68% (67th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 70% (45th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 69% (48th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Mark Richt (19-7 at Miami, 164-58 All Time)
• Previous Game: Duke (11/3/18)
• Following Game: VT (11/17/18) [Rivalry]

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

Would you find it shocking that I’m calling another loss here for the Yellow Jackets? Yes, Miami is playing in Atlanta. Yes, the Jackets will be desperate for a win. Yes, Miami has a look-ahead game the following week against rival VT. I still think Miami will out-talent Georgia Tech and solidify a losing season in 2018 for the Jackets. Sorry Tech fans, it’s nothing personal (please prove me wrong about Miami).

Virginia (November 17th, 2018 at home)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 50% (106th in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 72% (41st in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 61% (90th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall (8-17 at UVA, 107-60 All-time)
• Previous Game: Liberty (11/10/18)
• Following Game: VT (11/23/18) [Rivalry]

Prediction: Georgia Tech WIN

Finally, a break! Georgia Tech will play with nothing to lose here. The poor offensive returning talent (and overall returning talent) will put UVA at risk of a loss here, and Georgia Tech is playing for pride at this point. They’ll want to ruin someone’s season. Might be that they ruin UVA’s!

Georgia (November 24th, 2018 away)

• Percentage of Offense Returning: 66% (71st in FBS)
• Percentage of Defense Returning: 54% (96th in FBS)
• Percentage of Total Returning: 60% (95th in FBS)
• Head Coach: Kirby Smart (21-7 at UGA & All-time)
• Rivalry
• Previous Game: UMass (11/17/18)

Prediction: Georgia Tech LOSS

The talent disparity between these two programs will likely begin showing this season. Both are actually, from a returning talent standpoint, on-par. However, Georgia is recruiting at an exceptional level, while Georgia Tech is collecting scraps in-state compared to their hated rival. This game, played in Athens, doesn’t look too good for the Yellow Jackets. I actually expect a close game for the most part, with UGA pulling away towards the end.

My Predicted 2018 Regular Season Record for Georgia Tech: 4-8 (1-7 ACC)

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