Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets rebuilt their offensive identity around a devastating transfer portal acquisition in the backfield, landing Michigan's Justice Haynes (34.0 PPA) and Indiana quarterback Alberto Mendoza (33.4 PPA) to form what could be the ACC's most explosive rushing attack. Georgia Tech grades out 34th nationally with a +5.2 rating, driven by an offense that ranks 32nd (+3.0) despite losing key targets like Isiah Canion to Georgia and Luke Harpring to Florida. New offensive coordinator George Godsey, retained from the Baltimore Ravens, inherits a unit with quarterback uncertainty but elite backfield talent, while new defensive coordinator Jason Semore takes over a defense that grades 46th nationally (+1.2) but showed stability in personnel retention.

JP+ projects 6.5 wins for Georgia Tech, a step back from last season's 9-3 record that reflects the fragile replacement ecosystem created by significant offensive departures and quarterback transition. The mathematical gap between projection and preseason expectations centers on offensive continuity concerns, with only 28% of target share returning and uncertainty at the quarterback position despite Mendoza's arrival. If Mendoza and Haynes click immediately and Godsey's system maximizes their talents, the Yellow Jackets have the explosive potential to challenge for the ACC title. If the quarterback transition stumbles or the defense can't compensate for offensive growing pains, Georgia Tech faces a rebuilding year in a competitive conference.