Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse – Staff Predictions

Benjamin Tankersley

Georgia Tech wins 35-14.

I probably should be more worried about this game, but honestly, Cuse didn’t impress against a pretty bad Ohio team. As long as things are tightened up with penalties, I think Tech cruises to an easy victory. I expect the playbook to open up a little more, and as long as the defense can try to maintain McCord, they should be fine.

Logan Sandor

Georgia Tech wins 36-30.

Weird things happen when we play Syracuse. Last year was a good example where we should have run away with the game, but somehow Syracuse stayed in the game while using a Tight End at QB and basically repeatedly running the ball up the middle on us. This year Syracuse obviously has more talent to work with and we should expect them to put up a very tough fight. Tech needs to stay confident and focused throughout the game. If there’s a weird fumble or some bad flags and we get down early Tech cannot afford to get tilted. We have seen our Jackets stay in games before and come out with the win, I expect that to happen here. Simultaneously I expect to see a lot of shenanigans and to be way more stressed than I should be.

Jack Purdy

Georgia Tech wins 31-28

Tech winning by exactly the spread? Creative, I know. This is going to be the first real test of our secondary (DJ I think we can all say ain’t good) with Kyle McCord. Ohio may have been basically made of ghosts last week, but Cuse got a chance to fully run what they want to do, which isn’t helpful for us. They will score on us if they’re having anything close to a normal day. Every team will. The Buster Faulkner factor is what keeps me hopeful for this game. We very deliberately ran simple stuff last week and coasted over Georgia State and managed to get to a spot where the starters were out (albeit not as soon as we may have wanted but we don’t do the coaching). Tech has shown a consistent trait in preparing well and having a path to victory. With a little help from Aidan Birr’s leg, I think we get there again.

Jeff Cramer

Georgia Tech wins 38-21

When I submitted the picks for the ACC Preseason player’s list I included LB Marlowe Wax and TE Oronde Gadsden for the respective positions. The problem for Syracuse is that Marlowe Wax was injured during the Ohio game and won’t return for some time. Last week against the Ohio Bobcats, Syracuse had serious trouble stopping the run game from an offense that only returned two starters from the year prior. They gave up over 200 yards to Ohio’s running back and without Wax being able to defend the center of the field Georgia Tech should have a great day running the ball.

Kyle McCord looked crisp from nice, clean pockets all game and Gadsden was a prime target as he had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. WR Pena should be another target Tech should keep an eye on. However, many of the reception came with little pass rush and plenty of busted coverage from the Ohio secondary. I think Georgia Tech will present a big step up in talent level that Syracuse did not face in Week 1. I still believe Syracuse can move the ball fairly well but will be limited by how well Georgia Tech can maintain possession by running the ball.