The Pitt Panthers (7-3) travel to Atlanta this week to take on a familiar foe in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-1) in Week 13. Both teams have only one conference loss, and Georgia Tech can clinch a spot in the ACC title game with a victory. The Panthers however, would still need one of SMU or Virginia to lose while winning their final two games. The blood bath that is the ACC in 2025 gets even crazier as we move into the final two weeks of the season. Let’s dive in to the preview.
Pitt Panthers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2025 College Football Preview
Pitt vs. Georgia Tech: Matchup History
Unlike many of Pitt’s conference opponents this year, Georgia Tech was in the Coastal division with Pitt. They faced off 10 years in a row from 2013-2022. The Panthers lead the conference series 6-4, and the all-time series 11-4. Pitt has won the last three games at Bobby Dodd Stadium as well, so Georgia Tech will have some extra motivation in this one.
The most recent game was in 2022, when Georgia Tech upset the then-No. 24 ranked Panthers in Pittsburgh. The Yellow Jackets won 26-21 and put the game on ice with a Jeff Sims rushing touchdown with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.
Keys to the Game and Predictions
Key Players for Pitt
Unfortunately for Pitt it is becoming a weekly event to see Desmond Reid on the injury report. The 2024 All American’s season has been riddled with injury, and he suffered another one in the 37-15 loss to Notre Dame. Reid came up grabbing his leg after an awkward tackle in the third quarter and did not return. I did see him jogging on the sideline later in the game, so there is a real chance he plays in Week 13.
Freshman kicker Trey Butkowski missed the game last week with an illness, and he is also questionable heading into the weekend. If he were to miss again, expect Sam Carpenter to handle the kicking duties for the second week in a row. Carpenter was 1-of-2, missing from 53 yards out in the loss to Notre Dame.
It cannot be understated how important Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles are for Pitt this week. Of course they are important every week, but with Haynes King’s rushing ability they will have extra responsibilities. Georgia Tech has run the ball 48 more times than they’ve thrown it, and 148 of those attempts are from King. Louis will most likely spy King in the game, while Biles will primarily be in coverage. Expect Louis to have extra motivation this week, as he missed multiple key tackles in front of plenty of NFL scouts as week ago.
Key Players for Georgia Tech
The aforementioned Haynes King is everything for Georgia Tech’s offense. He is also a dark horse Heisman candidate. King has completed 72-percent of his throws with 10 passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has 807 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. It is safe to say the Georgia Tech offense runs through King, and Pitt’s top-10 run defense will be tested again.
On defense, senior lineman Akelo Stone leads the Jackets with four sacks on the year. He has already surpassed his career high of 2.5 from 2023. Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel struggled against the pressure from Notre Dame’s line, so if Stone can get in the backfield it will make a huge difference in stopping Pitt’s high powered offense.
Game Prediciton
It is do or die for both teams at this point of the season. There is a world where Georgia Tech can still make the ACC title with a loss, but they would need plenty of help. So, we are going to have two desperate teams fighting for their playoff lives on Saturday night. We will also see two opposite styles of play in this contest.
Georgia Tech is one of the most run-heavy teams in the country. Meanwhile, Pitt is one of the most pass-heavy teams in the FBS. The Yellow Jackets are a slight favorite in this game, and they should be. This will be a very close contest between two of the best teams in the ACC.
After a rough showing last week, Pitt’s run defense should bounce back. And, they may be able to contain Haynes King enough for their offense to win this game. This game will be close the whole way, but Pitt should away in the fourth quarter to win by two possessions, and stay alive in the ACC and College Football Playoff race.
Score Predicition: Pitt 31, Georgia Tech 20
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Jacob Murray
Jacob is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh and an avid sports fan. He graduated from Norwin High School in 2023 and recently joined The League Winners in June of 2025. He is a beat writer covering the Pitt Panthers. Follow Jacob on X (formerly known as Twitter) @jacob23murray