Malik Rutherford (#8) celebrates a win as the student section storms the field behind him
It’s that time of year, grills sizzling, tailgates popping, and College Football is back. With many teams off to incredible starts, let’s dive deeper into who’s been the most surprising riser this season.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are 7-0 in the Big Ten and sit at number four in this week’s AP Top 25 poll. Indiana is also 7-0 in the Big Ten and ranked number two. Texas A&M is another strong team with a 7-0 record in the SEC and is ranked number three. Alabama, a team that has almost always been in the mix for a national championship, sits at 6-1 and is number four. Georgia Tech is making a surprising impact this year with a perfect 7-0 start in the ACC and is now ranked number seven in the country. These records show that this season is full of promise, with some newcomers joining the pack and big names leading the way.
One team that really stands out this year is Georgia Tech. After a promising season last year, they picked up right where they left off with an undefeated record of 7-0 to begin the season, which is something they have not achieved in many years. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which is known for having strong football programs. Starting the season without a loss shows this team has what it takes to reach new heights. Fans and analysts are beginning to put an eye on them and notice this great start, because of how rare this is with a program known for being in the middle of the pack over the years.
Georgia Tech’s success is breaking barriers and proving that NIL, which provides the ability for college athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness, is changing the game. It isn’t a game of the few powerhouses every year anymore; it has become a game of opportunity, and Georgia Tech took theirs and ran with it.
The key to Georgia Tech is how they handle the tougher part of their schedule. Sometimes, early games are easier, but as the season moves forward, their opponents only get stronger. Being undefeated also puts a target on their back; every team wants to hand them their first loss, and now they won’t be sneaking up on any team anytime soon. Big conference matchups in the ACC will decide just how real their chances are to go even further. Staying healthy will be a big factor in how this season turns out for the Yellow Jackets.
College football has become a different game over the years, and has been clearly displayed this season. With many newcomers joining the pack of powerhouses, it will be very interesting to see how the rest of this season plays out. As far as it goes for Georgia Tech, they are one of the best stories to follow right now, and if they keep winning, they will be a dark horse in the college football playoffs this year.