Georgia Tech Football: Yellow Jackets Can Still Win The ACC Coastal Division

Following their loss to the Duke Blue Devils, Georgia Tech’s chances of winning the ACC Coastal Division took it’s first big hit of the season. Prior to this loss, Georgia Tech was undefeated in the ACC at 5-0, and 2-0 in the ACC.

Duke was also on a hot steak entering this match up, having only lost to the Miami Hurricanes in ACC play, while winning their out of conference games against Elon, Kansas, Troy, and Tulane.

More from Football

The loss to Duke placed Georgia Tech in an early must win situation as they traveled to North Carolina for a critical road game against the Tar Heels.

Entering this contest, North Carolina was 2-4 overall, having lost to Clemson and Virginia Tech. North Carolina ultimately defeated the Yellow Jackets 48-43, and handed Georgia Tech it’s second loss of the season overall, in addition to their second ACC defeat this season.

Duke followed up their win over Georgia Tech by defeating the much improved Virginia Cavaliers 20-13, while also taking over first place in the ACC Coastal Division. This scenario meant Georgia Tech would have to win out their remaining ACC schedule if they intend to make a run at the ACC Coastal title.

Georgia Tech entered hostile territory, traveling to play a difficult road game in Pittsburgh that didn’t look favorable for a Yellow Jackets victory.

Georgia Tech was brilliant offensively, as they took advantage of Pittsburgh’s turnovers early on, racking up a 28-0 lead to end the first quarter.

Pittsburgh managed a late rally, but Georgia Tech refused to let go of their commanding lead, pulling off a much needed road win over Pittsburgh, 56-28.

As a result, Georgia Tech enters this week’s contest trailing Duke by only a half game, and Duke has the unfortunate task of playing the same Pittsburgh squad Georgia Tech crushed last week.

Pittsburgh will certainly be looking to show that last week’s fumble display was a one time occurrence, while also taking advantage of Duke’s undersized defense to get a much needed win at home on Saturday.

Georgia Tech hosts the same improved Virginia Cavaliers team the Blue Devils defeated earlier this season.

One thing is for certain entering this contest, the Yellow Jackets can’t lose to another ACC opponent without handing the ACC Coastal Division to Duke, since Duke owns the tiebreaker over Georgia Tech.

Following their road trip to Pittsburgh this week, Duke travels to Syracuse, a location they haven’t played at in over fifty years. Syracuse is a tough team, and will give Duke all they can handle on both sides of the field.

Duke is fortunate they get their final three ACC games this season at home against North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest.

Out of those three games, Duke historically struggles to win against North Carolina and Virginia Tech, so neither one of those games should be classified as easy wins, regardless of how well Duke has played up to this point of the season.

Georgia Tech follows up this week’s game against Virginia with a road trip to NC State, where they play the Wolf Pack, who are currently winless in the ACC at 0-4.

Afterward the Jackets will host current No.21 ranked Clemson, in what will certainly be Georgia Tech’s biggest game of the season, should they accomplish their expected wins over Virginia and NC State.

Duke owns the tiebreaker over Georgia Tech, so along with winning out their remaining ACC schedule, the Rambling Wreck has to hope Duke drops two of their final five conference games this season if they are to play Florida State in the ACC Championship Game.

While there is a ton of pressure on Georgia Tech to win out, each victory Tech gets will add the same pressure to Duke as well, since Georgia Tech would be breathing down their back only remaining a half game behind them in the ACC Coastal Division.

The ACC Coastal has been wide open all season, but it’s now down to Duke and Georgia Tech to decide who will challenge Florida State for the ACC Championship.

Get ready for an exciting finish to another big season in the ACC.