ATLANTA - Winners of four consecutive ACC games and in sole possession of first place in the ACC Coastal Division, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have earned the right to play in the 2012 ACC Championship Game.
Tech (6-5, 5-3) could still win the Coastal Division outright with a win by Duke over Miami Saturday in Durham, but the Hurricanes' decision to self-impose a postseason ban has made them ineligible to compete for the title.
"Playing for an ACC championship was one of our goals when we began the season, so we are pleased that we will have that opportunity," said head coach Paul Johnson. "I'm proud of our players and coaches who, when things weren't going too well early, remained focused and determined."
No. 5 Florida State is Tech's opponent for the 8th Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game, set for Saturday, December 1 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, and will be televised on either ESPN or ABC.
This is the Jackets' third appearance in the ACC Championship Game since 2006. Tech lost to Wake Forest, 9-6, in 2006 and defeated Clemson, 39-34, in 2009 (that game later vacated). In Paul Johnson's five seasons at Tech, the Yellow Jackets have won two ACC Coastal crowns and tied for a third.
The Seminoles and the Jackets last met in 2009 -- a 49-44 Tech win in Tallahassee -- but FSU leads the all-time series 12-9-1.
Tech ends the regular season Saturday at Georgia at noon ET.
"Playing Florida State for the ACC title is something that we will put on hold until Saturday night," said Johnson. "Right now, we are focused on playing the No. 3 team in the nation on the road Saturday."
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