When looking for a second ACC team to crash the 12-team College Football Playoff party alongside Clemson, most analysts point to teams like Louisville or Miami.
Fox Sports' Joel Klatt is not most analysts.
On his popular podcast this week, Klatt unveiled his ACC "party crasher," and his pick is a stunner that has the college football world buzzing: the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
"Someone's going to the playoff that we're not talking about," Klatt said, before making his case for the ultimate dark horse.
Why Georgia Tech?
Klatt's belief in the Yellow Jackets is rooted in a potent offense and a favorable schedule. He pointed to sixth-year senior quarterback Haynes King and a belief that the Jackets have proven they can hang with the nation's elite.
"The way they played in Athens against Georgia last year is going to just always resonate in my mind," Klatt said, referencing the wild eight-overtime thriller.
With a manageable conference slate and huge home opportunities against No. 4 Clemson and No. 5 Georgia, Klatt sees a clear path to a special season.
"That's a team that could easily go 10-2," he declared. "My dark horse ACC pick to go to the playoff is going to be Georgia Tech."
Why Not Louisville?
Interestingly, Klatt considered and ultimately dismissed Louisville, a more popular pick to be the ACC's No. 2 team. He cited a brutal schedule and a potential resume problem as his primary concerns.
"I don't know if they're going to have any quality wins," Klatt argued. "I know there will be a 10-2 SEC team... a 10-2 Big Ten team... Those teams will not be playing for their conference championships, and they will get the benefit of the doubt over a 10-2 Louisville."
While the pick may seem wild to some, Klatt's logic is clear. With a veteran quarterback and a schedule that offers a path to double-digit wins, Georgia Tech has the opportunity to prove him right and become the ultimate playoff party crasher in 2025.