By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Sabri Haidar- The Mojo Network)
Georgia Tech entered last weekend with a chance to lock in a trip to the ACC Championship Game, but the Yellow Jackets never found their footing in a 42–28 loss to Pittsburgh. A 28–0 deficit in the first half put them in immediate trouble, and despite a late push, they could not recover in one of the program’s biggest games in recent memory.
The loss drastically reduced Georgia Tech’s chances of reaching Charlotte and all but ended any realistic hopes of staying in the College Football Playoff race. Just a few weeks ago, the Jackets were 8–0 and positioned as one of the league’s top contenders. Now the path is narrow and requires an unlikely wave of chaos across the conference.
It is improbable, but not entirely impossible. Here are the remaining scenarios that could still send Georgia Tech to the ACC Championship Game.
Scenario One
Georgia Tech would qualify for the title game if Pittsburgh beats Miami, Virginia Tech defeats Virginia, Duke falls to Wake Forest, and SMU loses to Cal. That combination of results would set up a rematch between the Jackets and Pittsburgh on December 6.
Scenario Two
Georgia Tech earns a bid if Miami beats Pittsburgh, Cal defeats SMU, Duke loses to Wake Forest, Boston College beats Syracuse, NC State defeats North Carolina, and Virginia beats Virginia Tech. This outcome would send the Jackets to Charlotte to face Virginia.
Scenario Three
Georgia Tech reaches the championship if Miami defeats Pittsburgh, Cal defeats SMU, Virginia Tech defeats Virginia, Boston College defeats Syracuse, and NC State defeats North Carolina. This would create a Georgia Tech versus Miami matchup for the league title.
What Went Wrong Against Pittsburgh
Saturday’s performance left the Jackets frustrated after an opportunity that had been building for weeks. Head coach Brent Key tried to identify the issues after the game and described a long list of breakdowns.
Key said the team struggled to run the ball, dropped passes, allowed too much pressure on the quarterback, committed costly penalties, and repeatedly lost battles at the line of scrimmage. He added that falling behind by four touchdowns created a deficit that was nearly impossible to overcome.
Even though Georgia Tech fought back and briefly trimmed the margin, the early mistakes were too much to erase.
What Comes Next
Georgia Tech now enters rivalry week needing a near-perfect combination of results elsewhere in the ACC to stay alive in the race for Charlotte. The disappointment stems from how close the Jackets were to controlling their own destiny and how quickly that opportunity slipped away.
A miracle is required for Georgia Tech to make the title game, but the door remains slightly open heading into the final weekend.