Yellow Jacked Up
Fansided

Georgia Tech Football vs North Carolina State: Final thoughts and predictions

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 09: James Graham #4 and Jordan Mason #27 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets celebrate a touchdown in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 09: James Graham #4 and Jordan Mason #27 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets celebrate a touchdown in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Thursday night and here are our final thoughts and predictions on the final ACC matchup of the season for the Yellow Jackets.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets final ACC game of the 2019 season is here as the Yellow Jackets are set to take on the NC State Wolfpack at Bobby Dodd Stadiums. The Jackets enter the matchup at 2-8 on the season and have a tough matchup against Georgia on the horizon. The Wolfpack, on the other hand, are 4-6 on the season and need to wins here at the end of the season in order to become bowl eligible.

At the time of publishing, the Yellow Jackets are now one-point underdogs at most sportsbook according to Action Network. The line has moved a bit since earlier this week when the Jackets opened as one-point favorites.

Overall, Thursday’s night matchup despite being between two struggling teams is an intriguing one. A win for the Jackets will ensure that they don’t have a 10-loss season for the first since 1994. While it’s not much, the Jackets still have pride they’re playing for. The Wolfpack as mentioned earlier are fighting for bowl eligibility and must win both of their last two games

Keys to Victory:

No.1: Get the offense moving early

When the Yellow Jackets offense has had success this season, they’ve  been able to get their offense moving early. They’ll have to do that on Thursday night from the start and can’t have a similar start to their game against Virginia Tech.

More from Yellow Jacked Up

No.2 Force Turnovers

The North Carolina State Wolfpack have turned the ball over a ton this season and chances are that won’t change on Thursday night. The Jackets will need to force quarterback Devin Leary to make some bad throws or tough throws into tough and tight windows. They’ve been prone to fumbles as well. If the Jackets can force a turnover or two they’ll be in a great position on Saturday.

Predictions:

Dylan Callaghan-Croley: 24-17 North Carolina State

I think this game is going to be close from start to finish and could very much be a defensive battle for the most part. I think there’s a great chance that it’s a sloppy game will both teams don’t play all that well especially offensively. That being said, North Carolina State enters this game will a lot more on the line than the Yellow Jackets and I think that will play into Thursday night’s game. With that, I think the Tar Heels get a late scoring opportunity in the game to seal the deal.

Lee Cagle: 28-13 Georgia Tech

The defense puts togehter a strong day producing multiple sacks and turnovers in key moments. Offensively, the Jackets are guided by another 100+ yard effort from Jordan Mason on the ground to go along with two touchdowns. The Jackets finish off their ACC schedule on a strong foot.

Bronston Tankersly: 21-17 Georgia Tech

This is going to be a sloppy game and I wouldn’t be shocked if both teams in the game appear horrible. That being said, the Jackets look to finish their ACC schedule off by outlasting the Wolfpack in a game between two depleted rosters.

The Jackets and Wolfpack will kickoff on Thursday night at 8 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium.