Georgia
Film Room: Analysis of FSU football’s week 0 opponent Georgia Tech | Game predictions
FSU head coach Mike Norvell talks Georgia Tech, trip to Ireland
FSU head coach Mike Norvell talks Georgia Tech, trip to Ireland
Florida State football is set to kick off the 2024 regular season in Dublin, Ireland.
The No. 10 Seminoles open the year against Georiga Tech in a week-zero Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup against a Yellow Jackets program that is on the rise.
Led by head coach Brent Key, Georiga Tech finished last season 7-6, winning the Gasparilla Bowl bowl with a 30-17 victory over UCF.
Key has gone 11-10 since being named head coach of the program, and the Yellow Jackets look to be one of the surprises in the ACC this season.
So what kind of threat do they pose to FSU?
Here is an analysis of Georgia Tech, including new Yellow Jacket defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci’s schemes that made Duke one of the best defenses in the nation last season.
For this article, we watched Georgia vs. Georgia Tech in November 2023, and FSU vs. Duke in October 2023.
Pre-snap motion, option plays a key in Georgia Tech’s offense
The Seminoles match up well against the Yellow Jackets, with the speed of the skill position players on both teams the key to victory.
Both the FSU and Georgia Tech wide receivers possess high-level speed, with the Yellow Jackets Eric Singleton the biggest threat to the Seminoles’ secondary.
Singleton reached a top-end speed of 21.7 miles per hour (MPH) during last season’s game against Virginia, and he plays a key role in how Georiga Tech wants to run its offense. Quarterback Haynes King is a speed threat himself, reaching speeds as high as 21 MPH last season.
King is at the heart of the offense, transforming Georgia Tech in his first year under center with the program. He spent three seasons at Texas A&M, coming in highly recruited, but he never truly got going with the Aggies.
Last season he posted 2,842 passing yards, throwing 26 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while adding 648 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
The challenge that Georgia Tech will give the Seminoles is with pre-snap motion as the Yellow Jackets tend to move around wide receivers and tight ends before snapping the ball, forcing quick and attentive adjustments from the defense.
Singleton sees a lot of action pre-snap, and at times his movement results in quick passing plays or jet sweeps that pickup decent yardage for the Yellow Jackets. He hauled in six touchdowns and 706 receiving yards last season, pairing well with Malik Rutherford who posted 462 yards and three touchdowns.
Georgia Tech tends to run a lot of options, giving King the chance to tuck and run or allowing running back Jamal Haynes an opportunity to run.
Haynes is a threat out of the backfield as the former wide receiver has turned into a premier running back in the ACC. He posted 931 rushing yards last season, scoring seven touchdowns.
Players like Azareye’h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress and Cam Riley, among others, all have the speed and toughness to keep up with the Yellow Jacket skill position players. Their ability to read through the movements and motions of the Georgia Tech offense will be crucial in limiting yardage.
Riley could be a key factor in containing King, who isn’t afraid to get out of the pocket. The Auburn transfer has the speed to track down the mobile quarterback and he could force some quick decisions out of King.
The big question mark for FSU’s defense revolves around turnovers, can the unit force King into some tough throws and take advantage? Last season, King threw 16 interceptions, tied for second-most in the nation, and if the Seminoles can get pressure home, there could be some opportunities for the defense to force a turnover.
Kyle Morlock, Lawrance Toafili key’s to facing a new Yellow Jacket defense?
The hiring of Santucci could change the Yellow Jackets’ fortunes on defense, as the defensive coordinator is tasked with turning last season’s 97th-ranked defense into one of the top in the conference.
Running a base 4-2-5 scheme, four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs, Santucci’s defense is a quick and aggressive one that forces opposing quarterbacks to make quick reads and choices.
When Duke came to Tallahassee last season, the Blue Devils defense was able to disrupt the Seminoles’ offense for much of the first half. Grabbing a pick-six and blowing up two fourth-down conversion attempts and forcing a couple of three-and-outs, Santucci’s defense presented a unique challenge.
The Seminoles made halftime adjustments, slowing down the offense and running quick plays for short yardage that tired out the Blue Devils defense en route to the 38-20 victory over the Blue Devils. The lack of linebacker presence allowed the tight ends to leak out for some quick gains, opening the offensive playbook.
There is a healthy balance of man-to-man coverage and zone coverage in Santucci’s defense, so quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will look to players like Malik Benson and Ja’khi Douglas to provide a spark. The running back room led by Lawrance Toafili and Roydell Williams could give the Georgia Tech defensive line a tough test.
Toafili saw limited action in both the run and passing game against Duke last year, but he was able to make some nice plays and could be a key contributor on Saturday. He caught a touchdown, posted 40 receiving yards on four catches and added 23 yards on three carries last season against the Blue Devils.
The tight end room was the difference for FSU against Santucci’s defense, with Jaheim Bell opening up the Seminoles’ offense. Morlock was used, mostly in pass blocking, but he did come up with one 22-yard reception and could be in for a nice game against the Yellow Jackets after a strong fall camp.
Uiagalelei will have to look out for defensive back Ahmari Harvey, a Tallahassee native and Florida High grad, as he was second on the team in interceptions, and could be in for a big year with All-American Jaylon King graduated.
The Seminoles could look to Toafili and Morlock early on to exploit the gaps in the defense, allowing the playbook to open up for Uiagalelei and maybe let him take some deep shots to his speedy receivers later on.
Game prediction: FSU 27, Georgia Tech 17 | Seminoles pull away late to secure first win of 2024
Uiagalelei gets his first win as FSU’s quarterback, leading a consistent display from the Seminoles as the team comes home from Ireland with a 10-point victory over Georgia Tech.
The defense is able to frustrate King and force at least one turnover. The Yellow Jackets will still have some success, scoring an early touchdown to take the lead, but adjustments and some disruptive play from the defensive line keep things quiet for the remainder of the game.
The offense finds its stride in the second half to claim victory. Uiagalelei throws a pair of touchdowns and Toafili gets one on the ground as a second-half surge leads to a season-opening win.
How to watch FSU vs. Georgia Tech
Aviva Stadium history, location ahead of Florida State football game
Florida State and Georgia Tech play in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 24, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.
- Date: Saturday, August 24
- Time: Noon ET
- Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
FSU football 2024 schedule
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
Georgia
As Texas braces for messy Senate runoff, Georgia Republicans fear similar fate unless Trump endorses
ATLANTA — Georgia Republicans are getting antsy. As U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff dominates the nation in fundraising and makes his case to voters, three Republicans who want his spot are still competing among themselves for their party’s nomination.
This week’s election frenzy in Texas didn’t help. After President Donald Trump declined to help clear the field with an endorsement, Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton are primed for a bitter and expensive runoff that could sap resources needed in more competitive states.
Trump has since promised to choose between the two of them, but he hasn’t said when he’ll make an announcement or whom he’ll support. And there’s no sign that the president is ready to get involved in Georgia’s primary on May 19, meaning Republicans there could be on course for a similar predicament.
“I’d like to have as many days as I can to focus the public’s attention on the choice between our nominee and Sen. Ossoff,” said state party chair Josh McKoon. “Assuming that President Trump does not weigh in, it seems like it is more likely than not that we will have a runoff.”
Each of Georgia’s three main Republican contenders — Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Buddy Carter and former football coach Derek Dooley — has positioned himself as the best person to help Trump in Washington. Trump could almost certainly anoint a winner if he wanted to use his influence.
“It is the gold standard of the party,” said Faith & Freedom Coalition chairman Ralph Reed. “It’s the strongest endorsement I’ve ever seen in my career.”
Ossoff sees political advantage in the competition for Trump’s support.
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., speaks before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, Sept. 24, 2024, at the Johnny Mercer Theatre Civic Center, in Savannah, Ga. Credit: AP/Evan Vucci
“My opponents have already made clear they will be Donald Trump’s puppets,” Ossoff said in a speech this week at Georgia’s capitol.
The non-endorsement looms over race
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, warned in an interview with The Washington Examiner last month that the wide primary field could end in a general election loss in Georgia.
“We need to get it down to one candidate as soon as possible,” Scott said. “And if we are able to do so, we have a chance to be successful there. But as long as we have three candidates, it’s going to be tougher for us.”
Republican strategist and Collins ally Stephen Lawson warned that Ossoff “continues every day going unscathed.”
Derek Dooley, a Republican candidate for Senate in Georgia, attends an Atlanta Young Republicans campaign event, Feb. 12, 2026, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Alyssa Pointer
“I do think there has to be some sense of urgency on settling on a candidate and clearing the field sooner rather than later,” he said.
Collins has a long list of endorsements in the state, and he’s backed by the Club for Growth, a nationally influential conservative advocacy group. He describes himself as the “America First MAGA candidate.”
However, he also facing an ethics complaint from a congressional watchdog accusing his policy adviser and former chief of staff of improperly hiring his girlfriend as an intern even though she didn’t complete assigned work. Collins has called the complaint “bogus.”
Carter said in an interview this week that “I’m the one without any baggage.”
A political fixture in southeast Georgia, Carter says he’s a “MAGA warrior.” He has called for expanded immigration enforcement in the state despite criticisms of aggressive tactics elsewhere.
As Republicans compete with each other, Ossoff has been boosting his cash advantage. The senator has over $25.5 million on hand. Meanwhile, Collins has $2.3 million, Dooley has $2.1 million, and Carter has $4.2 million, including many of his own dollars.
However, McKoon said he’s confident Republican donors will coalesce around a winner and help them catch up.
Trump ‘wants to win’
Trump has a mixed track record on endorsements, particularly in Georgia. In 2021, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler lost to Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock. In 2022, Warnock beat football star Herschel Walker.
Carter noted that Republicans have a narrow majority in the House, including Collins and himself, and guessed that Trump doesn’t want to jeopardize that.
“The president really is probably going to sit this one out,” Carter said.
Collins flattered Trump’s endorsement record, saying he has “always had the impeccable ability to put his name on someone at the right time to get the most bang for his buck.”
Candidates aren’t just trying to convince voters they align with Trump — they’re also trying to convince the president that they would come out on top in November. That’s what matters most to Trump, Reed said.
“The only thing that drives Trump more than finding candidates that are loyal both philosophically and personally is identifying and getting behind candidates that can win,” Reed said. “He wants to win.”
The value of Georgia products sold overseas surpassed $60 billion last year, state officials said.
Georgia was ninth in the U.S. for exports in 2025, propped up by its logistics infrastructure of the world’s busiest airport, an extensive railroad network and the ports of Brunswick and Savannah (pictured). (Courtesy of Georgia Ports Authority 2024)
Despite a barrage of new tariffs imposed across the globe, Georgia saw another record year for international trade in 2025.
Total trade last year reached nearly $211 billion, up almost 6% from 2024. Imports, subject to many tariffs enacted by the Trump administration, made up most of that activity, growing about 3% to more than $150 billion, according to a state report released Thursday.
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Georgia’s top exported product in 2025 was civilian aircraft and ancillary parts, such as Gulfstream’s G500 and G600 aircraft seen on the assembly line in Savannah in December. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Amy Wenk is the consumer brands reporter for the AJC.
Cal entered tonight’s matchup against a destitute Georgia Tech side dusting themselves off from an unexpected loss to a middle of the road Pitt team. The Golden Bears were looking to stay on the bubble of the NCAA tournament, while Tech, who finished last in ACC play, were simply trying to finish out their season with pride. This game marked the beginning of what will prove to be a long road trip for the boys from Berkeley.
Tech came out red hot from 3, thanks to forward Kowacie Reeves, who went 5-8 from behind the arc in the first half, while the entire Cal team was 0-12. His 19 points provided the difference in a first half with long stretches where neither team could put the ball in the basket.
Cal were frustrated early offensively, with Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames held scoreless in the first half. Lee Dort proved his offensive value, as the highest scorer for the Bears in the first half, particularly finding success in the paint, and they started the second half off feeding him early inside with some success.
The Bears opened the second half strong, finding ways to run their sets and get more players looks around the basket. Simultaneously, Camden began to find his shot from three, and things began to fall into place for a Cal side that was already having a decent night on the boards.
Georgia Tech could not keep pace once Cal’s offense found a rythm, though they would have to do so without any scoring contributions from Justin Pippen, who went 0-7 from the field, but closed out the night with eight assists and two rebounds.
Ultimately, Tech’s 18 turnovers, and Cal’s persistence gave way to a Bears lead that wouldn’t be overcome. The Yellow Jackets did not have an answer for Lee Dort’s efforts in the paint, and when Dai Dai Ames found his footing on offense, eventually the game was all but finished. Despite a valiant effort, the Yellow Jackets could not maintain an offensive pace or defensive effort to keep up with Cal, who face Wake Forest this Saturday in another must win.
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