Florida State and Georgia Tech meet in a rematch of last year’s thrilling ACC Championship game. But while the Seminoles remain in title contention this season, the Yellow Jackets have been a disappointment. FSU enters with a 28-game conference win streak, one win shy of its own record set in 1992-95. Ironically, the 29th win of the record streak was against Georgia Tech.
ODDS
Florida State opened as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 56. Georgia Tech has failed to cover during its five-game losing streak and is 2-5 ATS overall. The line was wagered to -6.5 in what has been a historically close series.
KEY MISMATCH
Florida State has won all six of its games to start the season after exploding on Louisville last week for a 41-21 victory, covering as a 7-point home favorite. The Noles trailed 7-6 at halftime and 14-13 in the third quarter before scoring 28 of the game’s final 35 points to pull away in its best offensive outburst. FSU unleashed running back Dalvin Cook and quarterback Everett Golson on the usually stout Cardinals defense. Golson tossed 20 interceptions in his 25 games while at Notre Dame, but it’s been a different story for him through six games of his FSU career. He’s tossed 11 touchdown passes with no picks in 177 pass attempts, fitting in well with a team that has committed just one turnover. Cook is the focal point for FSU’s attack, averaging 10.4 yards per carry in October and needing just 45 yards for his second straight 1,000 yard season. Tech has been a wreck on defense, allowing at least 30 points in each of the last five games while being routinely shredded on the ground.
KEY STAT
1 – Florida State’s turnovers this season. The Seminoles have eight takeaways and are plus-seven in turnover margin. Georgia Tech has 13 takeaways and must win the turnover battle to have any chance of pulling off the upset.
BETTING ANGLE
Georgia Tech began the year as the favorite to repeat as the ACC’s Coastal Division champion but have yet to win a conference game. After torching a pair of overmatched opponents, the Yellow Jackets were exposed as overrated to the tune of five straight losses. For a team with preseason visions of a New Years Six bowl game, the Jackets are faced with the possibility of not even playing beyond November. But the Jackets showed last week that they haven’t quit on 2015 and can still run the football with ease. And that’s a combination that will present problems for the Noles. Tech outrushed Pitt by 176 yards last week and gashed FSU for 331 yards in last season’s conference title game, losing 37-35 but covering as four-point dogs. While suffering through their longest losing streak since 1994, the Jackets’ five losses have come against opponents who are a combined 27-4. The oddsmakers seem to know this game will be closer than the records indicate, making Tech plus the points the smart play.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Playing an undefeated conference foe and the No. 9 team in the country at home are motivating factors for a Tech squad that is spiraling downward. While the Jackets have played tough during their five-game skid, a leaky defense and too many mistakes have hurt them. Georgia Tech’s triple-option could pose a threat to a Noles defense that is banged up, particularly linebacker Terrance Smith, which could create even more running room for the Jackets ground troops. FSU should expect the very best from Yellow Jackets, who are faced with a do-or-die situation, but it won’t result in an upset. As long as Cook’s hammy holds up and Golson continues to make smart decisions, FSU will be able to overcome the roadblocks to pull away in what should be a close contest.
Florida State 33, Georgia 28
BookMaker sent out the college football spread for this game at Florida State -5.5 with a total of 56. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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