This season’s team has Coach Brent Key’s fingerprint of a tough and tenacious team all over, but the question remains: can they surpass seven wins? As the Yellow Jackets work to rebuild a defense that has lost key players and its coordinator, the return of quarterback Haynes King, lead running back Jamal Haynes, and wide receiver Malik Rutherford offers a solid foundation for the offense. After narrowly missing an upset against in-state rival Georgia last year, Georgia Tech is poised to capitalize on that momentum. With back-to-back seven-win seasons under their belt, the Yellow Jackets are positioned as potential sleeper contenders in the ACC for 2025.

A Friday night road game broadcasted nationally will mark the beginning of Haynes King’s final season, drawing the attention of Yellow Jacket supporters as they finally have the opportunity to revisit the 1990 matchup that has fueled a 35-year debate. In that year, Georgia Tech and Colorado both claimed national championships, with Georgia Tech receiving the UPI Poll title and Colorado being recognized by the AP Poll. This division in recognition stemmed from differing voting systems and varying opinions on which team was more deserving of the championship title.

The Yellow Jackets have struggled to achieve more than seven wins since 2016 and have not reached double-digit victories since 2014, the year they last appeared in the ACC title game. However, this season presents a promising opportunity for Brent Key and his program to make significant strides. After back-to-back 7-6 seasons against tough opponents, Georgia Tech aims to elevate its performance. With the addition of Penn transfer Malachi Hosley and the addition of Eric Rivers from FIU enhancing the receiving corps, the offense looks poised for success. The offensive line, anchored by All-ACC guard Keylan Rutledge, and a defense that showed improvement in 2024 further bolster their prospects. With OC Buster Faulkner returning and the hiring of Texas assistant Blake Gideon as the new DC, the foundation for a standout season in 2025 is set.

Despite a challenging schedule, Georgia Tech’s upcoming season appears more manageable than in recent years, with only Georgia and Clemson expected to be ranked opponents. The team has the capability to compete for the ACC title, but securing victories in all seven ACC toss up games will be a significant hurdle. An 8-4 record by the time bowl season arrives is essential, though many fans may feel let down given the favorable matchups, particularly as they sidestep formidable teams like Notre Dame, Miami, and SMU. If the Jackets can stay healthy, achieving ten wins and contending for the ACC championship would not surprise supporters on the Flats. Under Brent Key’s leadership, the program has adopted a culture that emphasizes the values of the former offensive linemen, fostering a commitment to physical play that the team fully embraces. Coach Key now faces the task of demonstrating to the Yellow Jacket faithful that he can elevate the team beyond the seven-win mark achieved under former coaches like Paul Johnson and George O’Leary. Go Jackets!