Georgia Tech on Saturday was overwhelmed, overmatched, and just outplayed by Clemson in an ugly 42-21 loss. That said as a 14-point underdog even if the Jackets had played better, it was unlikely that they were going to knock off a surging Clemson that’s finally playing like many predicted in the pre-season.
The Yellow Jackets are 5-5 with two games left. The first one is Syracuse the second one is against Georgia Bulldogs who are the two-time defending national champions and have won 27 games in a row and 42 of their last 43 games. Let’s just say you never say never, but it doesn’t seem likely Georgia Tech would beat Georgia if you know what I mean.
That leaves Georgia Tech needing to beat Syracuse to get bowl-eligible. The Yellow Jackets haven’t been to a bowl game since 2018.
It is their longest bowl drought since the early 1980s.
There is no describing how important this game is for Brent Key and his rebuild of Georgia Tech. During the forgotten years of Geoff Collins’s tenure Georgia Tech never sniffed a bowl. Last season Key got the Georgia game at 5 wins, but beating Georgia was never truly realistic.
If the Jackets are to show progress in their rebuild they absolutely must reach a bowl game. It’s the most tangible sign of progression that Key can point to for fans and recruits in the off-season. Even winning the bowl game is not as critical as making the bowl game, especially at this point. Upset wins are great. Georgia Tech can point to some results like that, but only a post-season appearance will prove the program is truly moving forward.
Which Georgia Tech team will show up against Syracuse the Bowling Green version or the one that beat North Carolina?
It’s been five long years since Georgia Tech has been to a bowl game.
Brent Key hasn’t coached a more important game in his Georgia Tech tenure.
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1 ping
GlennW says:
November 13, 2023 at 10:03 am (UTC -5)
This is Brent Keys’ first full year as GA Tech’s Head Football Coach, and he already has victories over 4 Ranked opponents, so while it would be great for them team to make a Bowl in his first year, it certainly isn’t as critical as your article makes it out to be.
Geoff Collins was a like a cancer to the GA Tech program, and once he was removed, the normal healing process needed to occur to the program, just like the body when it is treated for the disease.
Brent has stabilized the program quickly, but it takes time to build it with a new staff. The fact they even have a chance at a Bowl his first year is a testament to him, and the Team, and the new direction going forward.