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
dawg day afternoon needs to work on his math
October 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
I forgot to mention the lowly Dawgs are 10-1 against my GT team. And Caleb King looked fast against us.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
Ok “D” get tough..
G
October 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
I love the argument “who have they beat”. I guess you are not supposed to beat the bad teams? And it is totally UGA’s fault that the teams they have beat don’t have good records like Mami and VA…
ole yeller
October 29th, 2011
10:12 pm
Tech’s blocking like their hair is on fire.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:13 pm
forget uga..this GT & Tigers..
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:13 pm
Wow. What a response by our guys to the quick strike TD by Clemson.
Run, clock, run!
GO JACKETS!!!!!!
math major
October 29th, 2011
10:14 pm
That Craig James has a vote in the BCS shows what a fraud it is. AL and LSU play a conference game as 1 and 2, the loser will slide 6-7 spots. Book it.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:14 pm
great coverage
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:14 pm
Great coverage by Jemea
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:15 pm
And BOOM goes the dynamite!!!
Holding?
October 29th, 2011
10:16 pm
wow if that is a hold on #72, the official is corrupt.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:16 pm
Wow!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:16 pm
Yet another play by Jamea Thomas!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:16 pm
FUMBLE!!!
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
OH YEAH BABY!!!
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
yes!
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
lmao – Dabo is having a cow!
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
Dabo just told Bellamy — dude, you’re making me look bad. … Nice punchout by Thomas.
honest assessment
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
After this loss is Clemson in the top 15? If so, based on what?
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
Run some time down – D needs a little rest….
Georgia Blue
October 29th, 2011
10:18 pm
Yo, SCHULTZ! Say HEYYYY to my Peanut for me!
WAAAAAARRRRR EAGLE!!!
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:18 pm
Paul Johnson always comforts his guys when they screw up, doesn’t he? /sarcasm
honest assessment
October 29th, 2011
10:18 pm
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
10:17 pm
Dabo just told Bellamy — dude, you’re making me look bad. … Nice punchout by Thomas.
Actually, he didn’t cuss and scream at his player like Paul Johnson does.
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:18 pm
@honest – still plenty of football to be played
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:18 pm
Man, if we weren’t playing well, there is NO WAY I could stand to listen to Patrick and James. They may be the worst announcing team I have listened to this year……
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
10:19 pm
If Jackets score here, I can’t imagine Clemson coming back from 38-10 with the way defense is playing.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:19 pm
The recruits on side line are see a GT show…
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:19 pm
Is this offense clicking or what!!!!!!!!!!
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:19 pm
Like I said earlier–gotta love Peeples
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:19 pm
keep the pressure on…don’t let up
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
SMOKING HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
Love seeing this O line working like this!
G
October 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
Honest… Great statement, but Jeff would never call Johnson out for that…
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
Keep pounding that D-Line, guys…. LOOOOVE seeing Lyons in there!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:22 pm
1st and goal
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
10:22 pm
This is looking like tech’s best win of the season. And likely their last.
Question
October 29th, 2011
10:22 pm
Is blocking below the waist out side of the offensive tackles allowed? I know the answer is no is the NFL, but i guess not in NCAA. At least this game. Lots of blocking below the knees down field.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:23 pm
C’mon, stuff it in here, Jackets!!
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:23 pm
QB sneak 2 inches at a time from here. RUN CLOCK.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:23 pm
lol – Mike Patrick is just a bit too giddy, even for him. Does he have a date with a GT cheerleader after the game? I’m jealous. I guess to be honest it is one of the bigger upsets this week. OMG, I just jinxed it.
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:24 pm
Not that much clock. That hurt.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:25 pm
Dang it!!!!!!!!!!
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
ThATS BS HE WAS OFFSIDES
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
OFFSIDE!!!
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
wow
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
Way to go ref!
Bad official
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
Dude was off sides. Same clowns that allow the chop blocks and down field blocks below the knees.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
I’m normally not a complainer, but there is NO WAY the zebras can miss a call like that.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
No Mike, it’s not the break Clemson needs. They need more than the refs screwing up in their favor one time.
Will
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
wish we could have challenged that