The wait for the 2024 college football season is finally over.
Saturday's ACC matchup between Florida State and Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, kicks off the season at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN. Given the anticipation this time of year for the first few plays of the college football season, any game in this timeslot would likely generate plenty of intrigue. Fortunately, FSU-GT looks like a legitimately compelling contest for a few reasons.
First of all, oddsmakers expect a competitive game, as Florida State is less than a two-touchdown favorite.
Both of these teams are also coming off winning seasons. Florida State went undefeated in the 2023 regular season (13-0, 9-0 ACC) before controversially being left out of the four-team College Football Playoff.
Georgia Tech quietly enjoyed a solid season (7-6, 5-3 ACC) in its own right in its first season under head coach Brent Key, whose Yellow Jackets upset Miami and North Carolina last season.
Between the wins over the Hurricanes and Tar Heels and a couple strong showings in losses to Louisville and Georgia, GT showed it could hang with just about any team in the country last season. It also suffered some ugly losses to the likes of Bowling Green and Boston College, though.
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Florida State vs. Georgia Tech Betting Odds
Below are the odds for Saturday's game in three markets: the spread, moneyline and total.
| DraftKings | FanDuel | ESPN BET | bet365 | |
| FSU spread | -10.5 (-108) | -10.5 (-110) | -10 (-115) | -10.5 (-110) |
| GT spread | +10.5 (-112) | +10.5 (-110) | +10 (-105) | +10.5 (-110) |
| FSU ML | -440 | -450 | -450 | -450 |
| GT ML | +340 | +340 | +360 | +350 |
| Total | 55.5 (o-110; u-110) | 55.5 (o-110; u-110) | 55.5 (o-110; u-110) | 55.5 (o-110; u-110) |
It's worth noting that back in July, Florida State was favored by nearly two touchdowns by some sportsbooks, with BetMGM listing the spread as Florida State -13.5 at one point.
How to Bet Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
The Seminoles have a lot of questions to answer in 2024 after losing a number of the top players from the 2023 roster, including nine to the 2024 NFL Draft.
On offense, the Noles have to replace last year's top running back, Trey Benson, plus leading pass-catchers Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Jaheim Bell and veteran quarterback Jordan Travis.
Florida State's defense also lost two of last year's best defensive linemen, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, to the NFL Draft. But a year after transfers Fiske, Coleman and Bell all had massive impacts, FSU appears to have once again done outstanding work in the portal.
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The offseason additions of QB D.J. Uiagalelei, WR Malik Benson and RB Roydell Williams on offense highlight another impactful group of transfers that should prevent Florida State from suffering a significant drop-off this season.
The Yellow Jackets are an intriguing darkhorse in the ACC thanks to their dangerous offense. Georgia Tech returns its dual-threat starting QB, Haynes King, and its two best skill-position players -- RB Jamal Haynes and WR Eric Singleton Jr. -- after averaging a solid 31.1 points per game in 2023.
Against Florida State, the Jackets will need a big performance from King to keep this game close, as Georgia Tech's defense is a question mark after a rough season a year ago. Tech gave up at least 38 points in six games in 2023.
Still, Brent Key's team is one bettors should think twice about underestimating. Last year, in addition to beating UNC as a 12.5-point underdog and Miami as 19.5-point dogs, Georgia Tech covered the spread against both Louisville (losing 39-34 as 7.5-point dogs) and Georgia. The Dawgs were 24.5-point favorites in last year's regular-season finale, but won that game just 31-23.
Saturday has the feel of a matchup where Georgia Tech gives Florida State trouble early before fading down the stretch as the Seminoles eventually manage to cover the double-digit spread.
King might be able to burn FSU for some big plays, but he'll have to take good care of the football to give his team a chance. The former Texas A&M signal caller threw at least one interception in nine of Georgia Tech's 13 games last year.
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech Best Bets
- Georgia Tech first half spread +6.5 (best odds: -108 at DK, FD)
- Florida State -10.5 (best odds: -108 at DK)
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