LIVE: Jackets’ upset of Clemson hinges on more offense
Tech coach Paul Johnson hasn't been a happy camper lately. (AP photo)
Welcome to the almost game-of-the-week.
Two weeks ago, Georgia Tech and Clemson looked like the center of attention. Both teams were 6-0. Each seemed to have a pretty good chance to stay unbeaten for two more games. But while Clemson beat Maryland and North Carolina to run its record to 8-0 and climb to No. 6 in the rankings, the Jackets dropped consecutive road games to Virginia and Miami (falling to 6-2 and from 12th to unranked).
The biggest difference in the teams: offense. Clemson has rolled up 115 points (12 offensive touchdowns) in its last two games, Tech only 28 points (three offensive TDs).
The Jackets’ offense actually has produced only three touchdowns in the last 10 quarters. This isn’t just a matter of the team playing tougher opponents than during its 6-0 start. Quarterback Tevin Washington appears to have lost his confidence, right down to making decisions and executing a pitch in the option offense.
But if Tech can get better quarterback play from Washington and/or backup Synjyn Days, it can pull off an upset tonight. A few reasons why:
• The Jackets’ offensive strength (No. 1 in ACC, No. 5 in nation in rushing) is Clemson’s defensive weakness (No. 9 in ACC, No. 76 in nation in stopping the run). So Tech has the potential to keep Clemson’s potent offense on the sideline.
• Tigers running back Andre Ellington has an ankle injury. He won’t start, and there’s a chance he won’t play.
• Come 0n — it’s Clemson! The Tigers have a tendency to lose a game they’re not supposed to, and they almost did at Maryland. Besides, a team that has allowed 45 and 38 points in consecutive weeks is playing with fire.
That’s it for now. I’ll be blogging live from kickoff, at least until I have to duck out for the game column. What are you thoughts about an upset?
By Jeff Schultz
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902 comments Add your comment
Savannah Fan
October 29th, 2011
6:52 pm
It’s almost time to start-Ga is winning in Jax
Savannah Fan
October 29th, 2011
6:53 pm
Upset-you must be joking with us?
Dubvee
October 29th, 2011
6:57 pm
I don’t think an upset is going to happen. We’ll have to start playing much better to have a chance. Don’t see much evidence.
Techster
October 29th, 2011
7:11 pm
If Tevin Washington would let someone else hold the ball and not try to do everything himself, we might have a chance
Supersize that order, mutt
October 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
I remember that picture. It’s from when someone hid Coach Johnson’s fried fish and hushpuppies. By the way, we are so screwed tonight, sad to say.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
7:19 pm
I have been looking at this matchup all week. After the last 2 weeks I have no idea what is going to occur but if Tech’s not ready to play, it’s going to be ugly.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
7:21 pm
Appears GA is going to finally win against Fl. Good for them!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 29th, 2011
7:23 pm
AU is about to beat down on the ole miss shoneysbears, but all is moot..it looks like in 1:40 UGA will win over Florida, and that, my friends, is the most final of all signs of the apocalypse. Oh Muschamp, how could yee…
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 29th, 2011
7:24 pm
Go Jackets, make CLEMPSON an also ran 1 losser tonight
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
7:25 pm
GA did their best to give the game to FL but when you Charley(give me another beer) Weis as your coordianator it tought to give a game away.
Jamaaliver
October 29th, 2011
7:26 pm
Makes me long for the days of George O’Leary and Joe Hamilton.
Rush, Jr
October 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
Final in Jax, 24-20
Schultz Bites
October 29th, 2011
7:30 pm
GO DAWGS and I’m sacking you again this week.
Matt
October 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
Go Dawgs! Jackets beat them Tigers now!
Savannah Fan
October 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
I forgot to say-FIRST ! Stupid is as stupid does
mike addington
October 29th, 2011
7:33 pm
Samuels and J. Jones are DAWGS baby. Crowell better grow some if he wants to play. that are go to Division 2 where they don’t hit as hard. He is a GIRL
What is your prediction?
October 29th, 2011
7:33 pm
Jeff, Spend less time collecting Barbie dolls.
PhDawg
October 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
Come on Jackets……beat up on the Tigers!
Buzz ME
October 29th, 2011
7:35 pm
nice game UGA over FLA
Jason
October 29th, 2011
7:36 pm
Damn the dogs sure got lucky with those pass interference calls or the lack of one for UF. Bet we get shafted tonight.
sashie
October 29th, 2011
7:37 pm
Way to go Jeff! Keep printing the Dawgs aren’t going to win….and they keep winning. We need a boy like you against us! Way to go Dawgs! Clemson, don’t hurt those bunble bees too much. The Dawgs can’t wait for the bumble bees! Let me guess…Jeff will pick Tech over Georgia!!!!!
ole yeller
October 29th, 2011
7:41 pm
Schultz, this must make you sick to draw coverage on Tech. Did not Johnson ban you? Let’s see if Tech get’s a fair coverage from you tonight. It appears that neither of the GA. teams respect you.
dex
October 29th, 2011
7:42 pm
move David Sims to QB and Perkins/Lyons can play BBack
btw, Ga Southern went down bwahahahahahahaha
The Nature Boy
October 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
Will yall stop hating Jeff.!!..he picked Florida because he wanted the dawgs to win… Go Tennessee…!! the jackets lose against Clemson’s speed..
Georgia Tech-Clemson … | Georgia Tech
October 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
[...] Just wanted to let you know I’ll be over on Jeff Schultz’s live blog here. [...]
SHULTZIE
October 29th, 2011
7:44 pm
Thank you,keep picking Georgia to lose hell we could beat Alabama or LSU if you keep it up.
Dawg-Central
October 29th, 2011
7:45 pm
Shultz the AJC should fire you…..again you WRONG……UGA beat the Gators…..you also picked the Voluteeers…..you are awful………no where near an expert, just a guesser……..Go dawgs………Schultz is pathetic…..LOL
100% Refund
October 29th, 2011
7:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
7:47 pm
What is your prediction — Funny. … (Hey, how come nobody ever pats me on the back when I’m right?)
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
7:48 pm
It is what it is — That was over the line. Goodbye.
trey
October 29th, 2011
7:52 pm
Jeff I guess you’re pretty mad that the dawgs won. So sorry they upset your weekend (lol)
Go C.L.E.M.S.O.N.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
7:54 pm
Trey (and others) — I know some folks refuse to believe this but it really doesn’t matter to me who wins and losses. I pick Georgia and Tech to win or lose every week. But it’s natural that when I get a pick wrong, people go bonkers. That’s cool. Check out my win-loss record against the spread. I’ll rest on that. Picking games to me is just fun — it’s just a weekly goof. Thanks.
Heath
October 29th, 2011
7:56 pm
Jeff, I’m gonna need ytou tu be right on this game. I have Clemphsun in my parlay.
Heath
October 29th, 2011
7:57 pm
Sorry for the typo…St Pauli Girl had to help me through the UGA game (she’s good like that).
davidinloganville
October 29th, 2011
7:57 pm
i see coach Dooley has pulled the red shirt off his QB if tech wants to win CPJ needs to pull vlad lee’s and see what he has.
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
8:03 pm
Looks like better weather in ATL than NH – heavy white stuff falling from the sky up here. No wonder UNH had both a football game and a hockey game for homecoming today
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 29th, 2011
8:05 pm
I’m rolling with Dabo cause he makes a mean pork rind. (Don;t know if its the same Dabo but what’s a UGA guy to to?)
jwill
October 29th, 2011
8:07 pm
cool answer jeff but im smokn you n sack shultz
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 29th, 2011
8:08 pm
BTW, come UGA / GT, any pundit that says it comes down to special teams play shoud be shot on sight.
jwill
October 29th, 2011
8:10 pm
gotta good feeln bout this one
GT baby
October 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
Congrats to UGA for beating UF….now its our time to upset Tigers..pray no-one gets hurt.
Be Real...
October 29th, 2011
8:12 pm
Jeff, you know Tech’s gonna get beat down like 38-13.
jwill
October 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
keith stone gets no tang
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
Those tech cheerleaders are straight up UGLY! Home your high school offense keeps you in this game for a quarter or two. Make sure you thank the Clemson fans for filling up your stadium, if it’s even full.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
Sorry folks Wi-fi issues. Back now.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
Who the heck is Keith Stone?
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
Bad initial omen, third week in a row playing a team in an orange jersey. I told CPJ to go with the navy jerseys. I guess he is not a supersitious guy.
Go Jackets, Sting Em!!!
jwill
October 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
uncle pauly alreadt bitcn
mmgtfan
October 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
Ok, ok. I like
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:15 pm
That’s not going to get it done.