Georgia Tech Faces Unseen Danger: What Syracuse’s Secret Weapon Means for the Season

Here’s a curious conundrum for you: Can a team sprint into a season so hot that even a few missing starters can’t cool their jets? Georgia Tech’s Yellow Jackets have blazed through the 2025 campaign undefeated in ACC play, boasting a shiny 7-0 record and a notable non-conference win over Colorado. But just as they gear up to face Syracuse this Saturday, some tough breaks hit—they’ll be without key players like WR Malik Rutherford and center Harrison Moore. Yet, under the savvy leadership of Brent Key, who’s transformed this squad from ACC basement dwellers to frontrunners, the Jackets seem poised to keep rolling. With a date looming against Syracuse and one eye on the ACC championship – and dare I say, the College Football Playoff – the question is: Will these setbacks slow Georgia Tech down or light a fire under them? If you’re wondering how this story unfolds, you’re not alone. LEARN MORE.

The Georgia Tech football team has raced out to a great season so far in 2025. Georgia Tech is undefeated in ACC play, and has a non conference victory over Colorado. The Yellow Jackets play Syracuse Saturday, and are getting tough news ahead of the contest.

“Sources: Georgia Tech will be without three starters who were considered questionable for Syracuse today — WR Malik Rutherford, center Harrison Moore and nickel Jy Gilmore. With corner Ahmari Harvey out for the second-straight week, Tech is down two key secondary members,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on X, formerly Twitter.

Georgia Tech is 7-0 overall, and 4-0 in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets are led by head coach Brent Key, who has brought the team back from the cellar of the ACC.

Georgia Tech football plays Syracuse Saturday at 12:00 ET. Syracuse enters the game with a 3-4 record overall.

Georgia Tech hopes for a trip to the College Football Playoff

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key and quarterback Haynes King (10) celebrate after a victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. — Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Yellow Jackets are in strong position to make the ACC championship game. Georgia Tech essentially controls its own destiny, as the squad is first in the league.

The squad already has conference wins over Clemson, Duke, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. No conference opponent left on its schedule is ranked. Georgia Tech closes their season with a big in-state rivalry game against Georgia from the SEC.

This is the third consecutive season that Coach Key has won at least seven games at Georgia Tech. He is in his fourth overall year as head coach. Key previously worked as an assistant at Alabama under Nick Saban. He also was an assistant at Georgia Tech, before getting named interim coach in 2022. He has kept the job since.

Key played at Georgia Tech, from 1997-2000. He then worked at the school as a graduate assistant, before leaving to work as an assistant at Western Carolina. Key also spent several seasons as an assistant at UCF.

Time will tell if Georgia Tech can make the College Football Playoff this season. Georgia Tech fans would love to see the squad pick up another conference victory on Saturday.

The post Why Georgia Tech football may be in trouble vs. Syracuse appeared first on ClutchPoints.