At the beginning of the year, I would have said a 9-win season was near the ceiling of Georgia Tech. When you start the season 8-0 though expectations change. Georgia Tech lost 4 of its last 5, and it feels like several attainable goals got away.
The question is, did Georgia Tech have a foundational season or a largely empty one?
For the first time in their history, Georgia Tech entered November seriously in the playoff discussion. Haynes King finished 10th in the Heisman chase and was the ACC’s POY. The Jackets had their first 9-win season since 2016. There’s still a chance at a top 25 finish, which would be their first top 25 ranking since 2014.
These are a lot of goals that were achieved that haven’t been done in nearly a decade.
That’s where the positives end. Once you start 8-0 and have a top 10 ranking, you have to cash in. Opportunities like this don’t come often for programs like Georgia Tech.
Here’s what Georgia Tech failed to do with a senior-laden team.
There was no ACC Title, no trip to Charlotte, no win over Georgia, no bowl victory, no 10-win season with 3 shots at it, and there may not be a top 25 year.
Your OC and starting quarterback for next year left with equal offers on the table.
The schedule will be far tougher next year than this year with Miami and Tennessee new on the schedule.
This season, there were final-minute wins over Colorado, Clemson, Wake Forest, and Boston College.
Did Georgia Tech really take a step forward this year?
The fact is, we really don’t know. Brent Key has done a remarkable job making Georgia Tech competitive, but there are massive gaps in his 3 year resume. There been several ranked ACC upsets, but Georgia Tech has shown an appalling inability to win big games where they were favored in or against quality OOC opponents. Brent Key’s resume is starting to eerily look like NC State’s Dave Doeren’s for better or worse. Yes, you’re competitive and decent, but nothing more.
If you’re a Georgia Tech fan, it’s very fair to wonder what the real direction of the program is.
