Can the Jackets win a bowl game for the second consecutive year?
Tis the (bowl) season to be jolly! The Jackets have secured a spot in the Birmingham Bowl, setting up an exciting clash with the Vanderbilt Commodores, one of this season’s most surprising teams. Both squads have excelled in the underdog role this year, earning reputations as trap teams. The nation views this as an anticipated matchup between Haynes King and Diego Pavia, two quarterbacks that have become the Darlings of College Football. These two will duel to see who wins what I like to call the “Nerd Bowl” to claim the Gold CowBell Trophy. Tech has proudly held this trophy since 1941, and the last meeting between these programs in 2016 extended Tech’s winning streak to 6 games with a 38-7 victory. Will this trend continue? We will see. Here is what I think I know going into the Birmingham Bowl.
This is a chance for the ACC to get a statement win against the SEC
I hate to mention the obvious, but there is always more anticipation surrounding any game against an SEC team. Especially a team that upset first-ranked Alabama, and came within three points of a playoff Texas team. Quarterback Diego Pavia has brought this team to life and put them into the national spotlight. The New Mexico State transfer has 2,849 total yards, 23 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. They started the season by beating Virginia Tech in overtime, then suffered a loss against Georgia State, then had a three-game win streak featuring wins against Alabama, Kentucky, and Ball State. This team has had ups and downs, so let’s hope they end 2024 on a down with a loss to Haynes King & Co. I would love to see us score a win against the SEC and will be rooting for the other conferences to do the same. Lane Kiffin can tweet all he wants, but hopefully, he has a silent night on Friday.
The spotlight will be on these slow and steady offenses
As I said earlier, the nation has this bowl game circled because of the matchup of King and Pavia. This will be a battle of the quarterbacks and one that I believe both are excited about. Haynes King is coming off a month of rest for his shoulder, and because he is the definition of a Tech man, he will no doubt be playing in this game. Pavia said he is very excited about the chance to face King, and he will 100% be playing as well. All eyes will be on these dual-threat QBs; it will be a great chance for King to be in the limelight of college football. It will also come down to which offense can limit turnovers and who can run down the clock. Both of these offenses are in the top five in the country for turnovers lost, playing clean and disciplined football. Both also have a similar trend in games they have won: they control the clock, therefore controlling the game. Against Alabama, Vandy held the ball for an astounding 42 minutes. In Georgia Tech’s victory against Miami, they held the ball for 35 minutes. All in all, these two offenses are very similar. Who is better? Only time will tell.
Several big accomplishments are at stake
If the Jackets can win this game, they will complete the season with eight wins, and an (8-5) record. It would be their first eight-win season since 2016, which is coincidentally the last time Tech beat Vanderbilt. Speaking of Vandy, there is also a winning streak at risk here. The Commodores last beat Tech in 1941, with a final score of 14-7. The two teams tied in 1965, but other than that, Tech has won the last 12 of 13 meetings. Finally, the biggest thing at stake is that if Brent Key gets to the eight-win mark, he will be the fifth coach in Georgia Tech history to finish a season with eight or more wins within his first two years. Taking a step back from the stat book, it would just feel so good to get a bowl win and keep the positive national attention on the Jackets alive. Regardless of what happens on Friday, this has been a season to remember.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Go Jackets!