Let's take a look at the week ahead.
Will Georgia Tech set the tone for the 2025 season in their bowl game with Vanderbilt?
It’s rare in a loss you actually create optimism for your fanbase, but when you take the country’s premier football program in Georgia to 8 OTS on the road you think you can compete with anyone. Georgia Tech had a bit of a roller coaster in the portal, but they ended up mostly in-tact with their most important player QB Haynes King returning. Now they face a credible SEC opponent in Vanderbilt that beat Alabama and nearly knocked off Texas. The Commodores have much the same optimism at Georgia Tech going into next season. We know Georgia Tech HC Brent Key wants to end this on a high note. I just have a feeling the Jackets are going to play well in this one.
Does Syracuse finish with a 10-win season?
You have to love what Fran Brown has done in his first year at Syracuse. The Cuse are in position for one of their best seasons in the last 2 decades. I think that in itself is enough motivation for Syracuse to take their bowl game very seriously. Opportunities for seasons like this don’t come often for most ACC teams and you have to take advantage when they do. What a recruiting tool for Brown to say you are coming off a 10 win top 20 season. Washington State lost their head coach and multiple players. Who cares? Syracuse can do something special.
How big is a bowl win for Miami?
The Canes are 10-2, but there is a sense of disappointment after just missing the playoffs. Will they enter the bowl checked out? Miami better not have the mindset, or it will be a reflection on Mario Cristobal and questions will start again if he can get Miami over the hump. Miami has 1 bowl win since 2006, and hasn’t won one since 2016. Iowa State shouldn’t enter the game anymore motivated than Miami, as they just missed the playoffs too. This is actually a big deal for Miami to win that 11th game, and possibly finish in the top 10.
