Week 0 features one key game as the No.10 Florida State Seminoles face the resurgent Ramblin’ Wreck at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin this Saturday. Aer Lingus is the Irish Airlines based in Dublin, FYI.

The ‘Noles finished 2023 with a 13-0 regular season/ACC Championship Game record and were irate when they were left out of the 4 team College Football Playoff. But their offense collapsed once starting quarterback Jordan Travis was lost for the season with a knee injury in the next to last game of the season. Tate Rodemaker came in and did well versus Florida in the final regular season game, but was injured in that game and the ‘Noles just couldn’t recover offensively with third string true freshman Brock Glenn at QB against Louisville in the ACC title game. It was quite ugly against Louisville that night in Charlotte even though the ‘Noles prevailed, 16-6. Their defense was championship caliber, but their offense looked like below average against the Cardinals. The Committee made a tough decision in taking one loss Alabama over FSU. But as brutal as it was for the team and its fanbase, it was the correct decision as the ‘Noles were hammered by Georgia in the Orange Bowl, 63-3. They just weren’t the same team without Travis or Rodemaker. Now with the institution of the 12-team playoff, that won’t be a problem. Very exciting times in college football with this expanded playoff.

Rodemaker transferred to Southern Miss and Coach Mike Norvell brought in DJ Uiagalelei from Oregon State. Uiagalelei completed 180 of 315 passes last season, 57.1%, for 2,638 yards, 21 TDs against 7 interceptions in Corvallis. He was previously at Clemson before Oregon State. He struggled to find his sea legs at Clemson, but was much better last season playing for Coach Jonathan Smith, who had a good career in Corvallis, and took the Michigan State job after last season.

Norvell also brought in former Crimson Tide running back Roydell Williams and former Crimson Tide receiver Malik Benson. Roydell rushed for 561 yards and 5 TDs in 2023. The Crimson Tide with Jam Miller, Justice Haynes and third string Richard Young in the backfield this year look pretty set, so it was a good move for Williams. Benson caught 13 passes for 162 yards and 1 TD in a pretty quiet 2023 campaign. But both should be playmakers in Norvell’s offense. The defense lost a lot of size and talent to the NFL, but Norvell has brought in talent and size through the portal and the freshmen class.

Georgia Tech features an offensive “trifecta” in quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., who all returned to Atlanta. King, the former A&M QB, completed 226 of 367 passes, 62%, for 2,842 yards and 27 TDs against 16 ints for the ‘Ramblin Wreck in 2023. I know Coach Brent Key and King want to cut down on the interceptions. Jamal Haynes rushed for 1,059 yards and 7 TDs, and King added 737 yards and 10 TDs. Singleton Jr. finished with 48 receptions for 714 yards and 6 TDs last season.

The Yellow Jackets posted a 7-6 overall record last year (5-3 in the ACC), and won the Gasparilla Bowl over UCF, 30-17. They’re excited in Hot’lanta about what Coach Key can do with this program. The Jackets finished 100th in scoring defense and 130th against the run in 2023. That’s out of 134 teams. So they need to do a lot of improving on that side of the ball if they expect to have a shot with FSU.

Game details

Saturday, August 24th

Aer Lingus College Football Classic

No.10 Florida State vs Georgia Tech

Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland

11 AM CT

ESPN

Tess, Jess, Katie

FSU by 10 1/2

Prediction

I don’t like the job that Brent Key is doing at GA. Tech; I love it. The second year coach and former Tech player has his program heading in the absolute right direction. Florida State’s defense was just 61st against the run last year, so there could be opportunities for King and Haynes. I like the ‘Noles to prevail, but I’m looking at a very tight contest in Aviva Stadium. I’m bullish on the ‘Ramblin Wreck this season with that triple threat on offense. The ‘Noles do enough and get by a very scrappy and talented team offensively. Tech will play better dense this year. Believe in Key. Believe in Norvell to get his team over the top though.

FSU 21, Georgia Tech 17