Combined with Florida State’s win over Florida, Georgia Tech’s win over Georgia virtually assures that the Yellow Jackets can do no worse than the Orange Bowl for its bowl destination. It would be Tech’s first Orange Bowl berth since 2009 and second in one of the historically major bowls (Cotton, Fiesta, Orange, Rose, Sugar) since coach Bobby Dodd’s final season in 1966, both in coach Paul Johnson’s tenure.
No. 16 Tech will play No. 3 Florida State Saturday for the ACC championship. With a win, the Jackets will earn a spot in the Orange as the ACC champion. If Florida State wins, the Seminoles will almost certainly be selected for the College Football Playoff. In that case, the Orange will take the next highest-ranked ACC team. Given Tech’s expected rise from No. 16 in the CFP rankings to be released Tuesday, it is almost unfathomable that the Jackets could fall below No. 21 Clemson or No. 22 Louisville even with a loss. The playoff matchups and the bowl pairings will be announced next Sunday.
The dream scenario, for Tech to make the playoff, seems elusive. The Jackets may have needed more upsets to teams ranked ahead of them than took place Saturday.
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