Early look at Florida State football’s season opener opponent Georgia Tech

Before you renew your passport and book your flight to Dublin, Ireland, lets take a dive in Florida State’s football ACC opponent Georgia Tech.

The 2024 football season is only about a month away.

Florida State football will soon start fall camp to prepare for its season opener against Georgia Tech in the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, at Aviva Stadium.

The game is set for Aug. 24 at noon EST on ESPN.

It is the second time two ACC teams face off in Dublin. For FSU, it will be the first time in program history that Seminoles participate in an international game.

Georgia Tech will be the second time it has played at Aviva Stadium. The last time the Yellow Jackets played in Ireland was in 2016, when they lost to Boston College, 17-16.

The ACC opener can set the bar for either side.

FSU is coming off a 13-1 season, missing the College Football Playoff. Its only loss was to Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

This season will be a clean slate for Mike Norvell, who is entering his fifth season as head coach of the Seminoles.

So, what does Georgia Tech look like? We take an early look.

Who is Georgia Tech’s head coach

Brent Key will be entering his second season with Georgia Tech. In his first year, the Yellow Jackets went 7-6 (5-3 in the ACC).

FSU-GT all-time record

15-11-1, FSU

Last meeting between FSU and Georgia Tech

FSU defeated Georgia Tech 41-16 in the last meeting on Oct. 29, 2022.

Georgia Tech’s top players

Offense:

QB Haynes King (2,842 passing yards, 27 TDs, 737 rushing yards, 10 TDs), RB Jamal Haynes (174 carries, 1,059 yards, 7 TDs), OG Joe Fusile

Defense:

DL Zeek Biggers (40 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT), LB Kyle Efford (81 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT)

Georgia Tech’s key losses, additions

Key losses:

S Jaylon King, DL Eddie Kelly,

Key additions:

TE Ryland Goede, TE Jackson Hawes, OL Keylan Rutledge, DL Thomas Gore, DL Jordan van den Berg, DE Romello Height, DB Warren Burrell, DB Syeed Gibbs,

Remember former FSU QB and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke?

Of course, FSU fans certainly remember Weinke.

Weinke is in his third year as Georgia Tech’s quarterbacks coach, his second year as the Yellow Jackets’ co-offensive coordinator and his first year as Tech’s assistant head coach.

As a player, Weinke won the 2000 Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at FSU and led the Seminoles to a national championship in 1999. He went on to be selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft and enjoyed a seven-year career with the Carolina Panthers (2001-06) and San Francisco 49ers (2007)

Outlook on Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech was young last season but with great potential.

The Yellow Jackets played in tight ballgames and can open the season with an ACC upset. For the Seminoles, it will be an opportunity to pick up where they left off and make a statement as playoff contenders.

Florida State Seminoles 2024 Football Schedule

• Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
• Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
• Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
• Sept. 21 vs. California
• Sept. 28 at SMU
• Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
• Oct. 18 at Duke
• Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
• Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
• Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
• Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
• Nov. 30: Florida
• Dec. 7: ACC Championship

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.