Live from Charlotte: Can Georgia Tech (sort of) shock the world?

The skies are dark over Bank of America Stadium. (M. Bradley)

Credit: Mark Bradley

icon to expand image

Credit: Mark Bradley

Charlotte -- Discerning readers will note the presence of an parenthetical in the above headline. That's because Georgia Tech beating Florida State would, at this late date, come as a major shock to absolutely no one. So many people -- I'm among them -- are picking the Yellow Jackets that I've half-wondered if they shouldn't be favored over a team that hasn't been beaten in two calendar years.

But there's an even bigger issue afoot, at least if you believe Brad Edwards of ESPN Insider and yours truly. We kind of decided -- actually, Brad decided and I concurred -- that Tech has a real chance to make the College Football Playoff if six things happen . Two already have. Oregon beat Arizona 51-13 on Friday to remove the Wildcats from the ranks of the two-loss contenders, and TCU beat Iowa State 55-3 today to keep the Horned Frogs from becoming a two-loss team.

Now Tech needs Alabama to beat Missouri, Wisconsin to beat Ohio State and Kansas State to beat Baylor. As I write, Bama is leading 14-0. The other two games will be staged tonight, just like the ACC championship here.

About which: It has been raining most of the day, but it's supposed to clear a bit this evening. I guess that should help the team that runs the ball more, which is Tech, but wet footballs tend to have minds of their own.

In other news, Tech coach Paul Johnson was given a four-year extension -- through 2020 -- today. In sum, there's much to discuss. That's why this live blog exists. Feel free to avail yourselves of it, but one warning (or depending on your point of view, one cheery note): Due to the logistics of a night game, I'll have to be writing other things in a hurry, so I'll be popping in and out. But even in possible absentia, I thank you in advance.