In a monumental upset victory, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets captured their first win of the 2024 college football season by outplaying and outmuscling the No. 10 ranked Florida State Seminoles. Head coach Brent Key, along with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, devised a strategic offensive gameplan centered around their dominant ground game. Running the ball with precision and power, Georgia Tech ran their way to a 24-21 triumph, marking their first win over an AP top-10 team since 2015, coincidentally against Florida State.

Georgia Tech's success on the ground was evident in their impressive performance, accumulating 190 rushing yards and exploiting the weaknesses in the Seminoles' defensive line. Utilizing various run game formations, the Yellow Jackets found the most success with their counter runs, accumulating a staggering 105 yards from such plays. This specific strategy proved to be their bread and butter, relentlessly battering the vaunted Seminoles' defense into submission.

Recognizing Florida State's predominantly four-man front and aggressive defensive style, Georgia Tech capitalized on their opponent's weaknesses. By employing motion and utilizing the pistol offense, the Yellow Jackets effectively disguised the strength of their plays, catching the Seminoles off guard. With the nickel defender locked in man coverage, Florida State was forced to defend the run with a six-man box, relying on help from the safety rather than the nickel defender. Exploiting this mismatch, Georgia Tech created confusion at the second level of the Seminoles' defense, creating advantageous angles and exploiting gaps to gain significant yardage.

Executing their counter runs with precision, Georgia Tech's offensive line played a pivotal role in the victory. The left guard and tight end effectively pulled to the right, while the right tackle executed double teams on the defensive tackle before moving on to cut off the backside linebacker. Florida State's defensive execution faltered as they struggled to respond effectively to the pulling guard and tight end. Inconsistent technique and miscommunication allowed Georgia Tech's ground game to flourish, leading to big plays and gaining crucial yardage throughout the game.

Even when the Seminoles attempted to adjust and defend against the counter runs by bringing down a safety in a blitz, their second-level defense failed to execute properly. Georgia Tech's well-coordinated plays exploited gaps and created open running lanes, resulting in significant yardage gains. The Seminoles' inability to effectively defend the counter runs showcased the importance of teamwork and proper execution in defending the run.

Not only did Georgia Tech's ground game rely on their running backs, but quarterback Haynes King also made significant contributions. Utilizing motion to create favorable matchups and outnumber the Seminoles' defense, the Yellow Jackets found success in incorporating King's running ability into their offensive scheme. King's willingness to make gutsy runs when called upon added another dimension to Georgia Tech's already dominant ground attack.

Defensively, Georgia Tech's success against Florida State's counter runs mirrored their offensive prowess. The Yellow Jackets' defense managed to limit the Seminoles' ground game to a mere 98 yards on 31 carries. Employing effective stunts and second-level blitzes, Georgia Tech's defensive unit was able to disrupt Florida State's counter runs, often resulting in tackles for loss. The Yellow Jackets' ability to steal gaps and outmaneuver the Seminoles' offensive line showcased their defensive prowess and contributed significantly to the upset victory.

Although Georgia Tech may not have possessed the same level of talent as their ranked counterparts, their well-executed gameplan and dominant ground game proved decisive in their victory over Florida State. The Yellow Jackets' ability to control the tempo, exploit weaknesses, and impose their will on the field solidified their status as the first major upset of the college football season.

In a clear display of their grit and determination, Georgia Tech showcased the power of running the ball effectively. Their victory against Florida State serves as a reminder that a well-executed ground game can overcome even the most highly rated opponents. As the college football season progresses, it will be interesting to see how other teams adapt to this potent offensive strategy employed by the Yellow Jackets.