By The Numbers: Georgia Tech vs. Florida State

It’s a new era in Tallahassee under Mike Norvell, who faces a Ramblin’ Wreck that had a new coach last year themselves.

By Collin Sherwin@CollinSherwin Sep 11, 2020, 4:20am PDT

Quarterback James Blackman of the Florida State Seminoles on a running play during the game against the Alabama State Hornets at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 16, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida.

There aren’t many teams in college football that return more players than the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and they’ll make the short drive to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday in the 2020 season opener for both teams.

Tech was just 3-9 last year, but head coach Geoff Collins is looking to make a full rebuild of a once-proud program. The Jackets return the second-largest percentage of players from last season in college football, and continue shifting away from the triple-option offense of predecessor Paul Johnson. Quarterbacks James Graham, a sophomore, and freshman Jeff Sims are competing for the starting signal-caller job, but Collins says they won’t name a starter until the game begins.

Florida State brings in new head coach Mike Norvell off his conference championship at Memphis in 2019, and James Blackman will be the starting quarterback for his fourth season in garnet and gold. Norvell captained some explosive offenses in the Mid-South, but might have challenges installing his system in a year with many scuttled practices. If there’s an area of need for FSU, it’s likely along the offensive line.

For a deeper dive about the X’s and O’s of the game, check out our game film preview here.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Florida State Seminoles (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ABC

Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: Georgia Tech + 13 (15% of action, 25% of bets) FSU -13 (85% of action, 75% of bets)
Total: Over/Under 52.5 (over: 5% of action, 42% of bets)
Money Line: Georgia Tech +420, FSU -590

SP+ Ranking

Georgia Tech: 54 (90 offense, 35 defense)
FSU: 27 (28 offense, 33 defense)

Returning Production

Georgia Tech

Overall: 84% (2 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 74%
Defense: 94%
Coaching Staff: No changes
Offense: 9 starters returning, 8 QB starts
Defense: 10 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 35+

Florida State

Overall: 73% (27 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 63%
Defense: 83%
Coaching Staff: All new except WR, DL coaches retained
Offense: 7 starters returning, including 10 QB starts (James Blackman)
Defense: 10 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 37

Team Talent via 247 Sports Composite

Georgia Tech: 45th of 130
Florida State: 6th of 130

Championship Odds

Georgia Tech: National Champion +50000, ACC Champion +10000
Florida State: National Champion +15000, ACC Champion +2200

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