Look who’s still unbeaten as one of the biggest surprises of the college football season?
The Manny Diaz era is off to a hot start thanks to a thriller of a comeback win over Northwestern and another against North Carolina. It hasn’t been easy, but 5-0 is 5-0.
Georgia Tech stalled a bit after the fun of the win over Florida State to kick things off, but it’s good enough to turn things around fast. Now 1-2 in the ACC, and with the next three games away from Atlanta, it has to end Duke’s hot start.
Sep 14, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cheerleader runs a flag after a touchdown against the Virginia Military Institute Keydets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Duke vs Georgia Tech Preview
Duke vs Georgia Tech How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
How to Watch: ACC Network
Georgia Tech (3-2), Duke (5-0)
- Week 6 Schedule, Predictions
- 5 Biggest College Football Surprises
- 5 Biggest Disappointments
- Bowl Projections | CFN 1-134 Rankings
- College Football Playoff Projections: Week 6
Predicting the Rest of the Season
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC
Why Duke Will Win
So how is Duke doing this?
It's a Manny Diaz team, so the defense has been strong, the pass rush is among the nation's elite, and there are lots and lots of plays in the backfield.
Georgia Tech's passing game butters the bread, but Duke has been able to combine that pass rush with big plays from the secondary to hold up.
As long as the Blue Devils are winning defensively on third downs and keeping the Yellow Jackets from getting into a passing groove, the score will stay low, the game close, and everything will work into Duke's game plan.
However ...
Why Georgia Tech Will Win
Georgia Tech leads the nation in fewest sacks allowed - it has yet to give one up.
Haynes King gets the ball out of his hands in a hurry, he's connecting on 74% of his throws, and the offense should counteract the Duke pass rushing with quick-hitters.
The key is scoring early. Duke doesn't go on long scoring marches, the team doesn't control the time of possession battle, but ...
Duke vs Georgia Tech: Who Will Win
Georgia Tech will take a drive or two to get warmed up, and then it'll kick in for a good scoring drive at the end of the first half to take over.
The Duke pass rush will generate a little bit of pressure to force a few stalled third downs to keep this close, but it won't be enough. It'll stay close throughout, but Duke won't be able to push through in its first loss of the year.
Duke vs Georgia Tech Prediction, Betting Lines
Georgia Tech 27, Duke 17
Line: Georgia Tech -9.5, o/u: 53.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Duke vs Georgia Tech Must See Rating: 3
Week 6 CFN Expert Picks
UCLA at Penn State | Texas Tech at Arizona
Missouri at Texas A&M | SMU at Louisville
Iowa at Ohio State | Auburn at Georgia
Ole Miss at So Carolina | Rutgers at Neb
Clemson at Florida St | Tenn at Arkansas
Michigan at Washington | Miami at Cal
