Let's have some fun with this. Try and be realistic based on what we know about the team heading into summer practice. Here is the schedule:
9/3: BC - Ireland
9/10: Mercer
9/17: Vandy
9/22: Clemson
10/1: Miami
10/8: @ Pittsburgh
10/15: Georgia Southern
10/29: Dook
11/5: @ UNC
11/12: @ VT
11/19: UVA
11/26: @ UGA
I'll preface my prediction by saying the lack of OL is my biggest concern. if GT has injuries to an already thin line, then the lack of experience will make it look like last year again. I have no concerns at AB, BB or even WR at this point outside of perimeter blocking. On D yet again it all comes down to can GT get pressure on the opponents QB? In year 9, we've still only seen 1 good DL in CPJ's tenure as HC.
The one thing I notice about the schedule is the ACC definitely did GT a massive favor this year. To only travel to a neutral site game to start the year, and then have 1 road game until November (@ Pitt 10/8) is absolutely crazy. Also, there is NO excuse for losing to Dook this year. I don't want to hear any single poster blame midterms on a loss. GT has a BYE before Dook.
So with that said, here is my best / worst case predictions and actual prediction.
Best Case: GT goes 9-3. Losses to Clemson, @ UNC and @ UGA.
Worst Case: GT goes 5-7. Losses to BC or Vandy, Clemson, Miami, @ Pitt, @ UNC, @ VT, @ UGA.
Swing Games: BC, Vandy, Dook, Miami, @ Pitt.
Upset Special (Win): @ UNC
Upset Special (Loss): Vandy
Actual Prediction: GT goes 7-5. Losses to Clemson, Miami, @ UNC, @ VT, @ UGA.
Final Analysis:
GT will have a shot to beat Miami, UNC and VT but come up short late. I think Vandy is a dangerous game. Vandy plays very good defense, and like BC they have no offense. We will see quickly how good they are on 9/1 (Thurs) when they host Carl's Jr and Muschump. In the end GT will be a competitive team again this year, and they'll win a few games that went the other way last year. The law of averages says so based on the last 2 years (2014 won almost every close game, 2015 lost almost every close game). GT will have a shot at an 8th win in a bowl game.
2017 is the make or break year for CPJ after rebounding and going to a bowl game. I think it's safe to say 2017 could be interesting as far as the future of GT's football program.
9/3: BC - Ireland
9/10: Mercer
9/17: Vandy
9/22: Clemson
10/1: Miami
10/8: @ Pittsburgh
10/15: Georgia Southern
10/29: Dook
11/5: @ UNC
11/12: @ VT
11/19: UVA
11/26: @ UGA
I'll preface my prediction by saying the lack of OL is my biggest concern. if GT has injuries to an already thin line, then the lack of experience will make it look like last year again. I have no concerns at AB, BB or even WR at this point outside of perimeter blocking. On D yet again it all comes down to can GT get pressure on the opponents QB? In year 9, we've still only seen 1 good DL in CPJ's tenure as HC.
The one thing I notice about the schedule is the ACC definitely did GT a massive favor this year. To only travel to a neutral site game to start the year, and then have 1 road game until November (@ Pitt 10/8) is absolutely crazy. Also, there is NO excuse for losing to Dook this year. I don't want to hear any single poster blame midterms on a loss. GT has a BYE before Dook.
So with that said, here is my best / worst case predictions and actual prediction.
Best Case: GT goes 9-3. Losses to Clemson, @ UNC and @ UGA.
Worst Case: GT goes 5-7. Losses to BC or Vandy, Clemson, Miami, @ Pitt, @ UNC, @ VT, @ UGA.
Swing Games: BC, Vandy, Dook, Miami, @ Pitt.
Upset Special (Win): @ UNC
Upset Special (Loss): Vandy
Actual Prediction: GT goes 7-5. Losses to Clemson, Miami, @ UNC, @ VT, @ UGA.
Final Analysis:
GT will have a shot to beat Miami, UNC and VT but come up short late. I think Vandy is a dangerous game. Vandy plays very good defense, and like BC they have no offense. We will see quickly how good they are on 9/1 (Thurs) when they host Carl's Jr and Muschump. In the end GT will be a competitive team again this year, and they'll win a few games that went the other way last year. The law of averages says so based on the last 2 years (2014 won almost every close game, 2015 lost almost every close game). GT will have a shot at an 8th win in a bowl game.
2017 is the make or break year for CPJ after rebounding and going to a bowl game. I think it's safe to say 2017 could be interesting as far as the future of GT's football program.
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