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Georgia Tech Football: Four key matchups for the 2017 season

By Blake Silvers

Nov 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Qua Searcy (1) runs for a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Qua Searcy (1) runs for a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers players celebrate after a record breaking sack by defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers players celebrate after a record breaking sack by defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Sept. 4 – Tennessee Volunteers

Georgia Tech will have very little time to work out the bugs to start the 2017 season as they meet an old rival in Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Labor Day.

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Last year the Vols earned second place in the SEC East, but a regular season finale loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt put a damper on the campaign.

Like Tech, Tennessee finished 9-4 (4-4 SEC), won their bowl game last season and will spend the summer trying out new quarterbacks for the upcoming year.

The Volunteers played in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic versus an ACC team back in 2012 when they took down North Carolina State 35-21. The hometown Yellow Jackets will be making their first appearance in the game.

The Vols and Jackets haven’t faced one another since the 1987 season, and haven’t played in Atlanta since the year before.

If Georgia Tech has much hope of earning an early spot in the top-25, a win over Tennessee will almost certainly be a requirement. A win over the Volunteers could help propel the Jackets back into the national conversation for the first time in a few season.