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
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
Refs help Clem
G
October 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
Wow the officiating in NCAA has really gotten bad
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
I heard a report this week that the ACC had the worst officiating in the country, and it’s easy to see how they earned that reputation.
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
Seven points off the boards!!!
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
They wuz robbed!
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
Need the D to make a big play here……
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
Thats sick..no way you miss that
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
Should’ve had the pick!!!!!
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
You NERDS and your excuses. Cheaters.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
How many ALMOST int’s have we had tonight?
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
That no offsides call? How is that possible? Worst call Ive seen in weeks
Beggers can't be losers
October 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
Tech is chop blocking with no penalties. Tech is blocking in the back down field with no penalties.
Don’t bitch about 1 missed call. Tech is living on no calls.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:29 pm
Man, that #2 is just amazing……
Matthew
October 29th, 2011
10:30 pm
I haven’t checked a tech board all season, and when I finally do its the same story – nerds blaming refs.
And Schultz – keeping picking Georgia to lose; I love it when you’re wrong.
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
10:30 pm
Is there a Watkins type recruit on our sideline?
One eyed babe.
October 29th, 2011
10:30 pm
G
October 29th, 2011
10:27 pm
Wow the officiating in NCAA has really gotten bad
Dude, you didn’t gripe about the no call on Tech holding on the QB’s run. Just watch and do your calculus homework.
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
lol but u can call that on us
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
That’s OK, Tech is matching the Clemson offense and then some tonight in spite of the ref’s bad call.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
LMAO NOW they call an offsides????
nick black
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
c’mon jackets don’t let up! YOU DID FOUR YEARS OF INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS YOU CAN HANDLE SOUTH CAROLINIANS
bigdawg88
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
Sorry clemson, but with no inside rushing game you really have no chance against good teams.
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
Now they see someone offsides??? Obvious much???
cattle dawg
October 29th, 2011
10:31 pm
Why cant we all just get along?
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
Thats bs..ref’s need to be fired
smitty
October 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
huge missed call…..score a td and tech up by 4 tds…..clemson gets the ball and the lead might be only 2 tds…….total bullsh*t
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
Where has #90 been all year? He’s playing pretty good tonight. He almost ran Boyd down earlier, made him throw it away.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
Ah that’s just too funny!!!!!!!!!
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
begger go on back to your dawg house..
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:33 pm
We are two touchdowns short because of really really bad officiating!
HEATHER D IS A MORON
October 29th, 2011
10:33 pm
HOPE EVERYONE WRITES THE ACC ABOUT THE CHEATING REFS COST US 7
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:33 pm
TJ Barnes came to play tonight, maybe he’s finally realizing the effort he needs to play with all the time!
HEATHER D IS A MORON
October 29th, 2011
10:34 pm
THESE INBREDS AT CLEMSON COWTOWN LOOK JUST LIKE THE INBREDS IN ATHENS
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
10:34 pm
Just need one more TD Tech
sam
October 29th, 2011
10:34 pm
nobody in the DAWG world will ever like you again Schultz
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:34 pm
I thought #90 was Barnes
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
#90 IS TJ
jack
October 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
BS 14 point turnaround cause of the worst flippin officiating crew in the land. Every one of them should be given their walking papers at the end of this game
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
That looked like a Jasper Sanks moment to me
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
I hate feeding the trolls, but what is the deal with all the “chop block” crap? You guys all suddenly become D1 refs? You just….. can’t…… stand the thought that we might WIN this game, can you? You had your Saturday night all planned, I guess – watch the dawgs win over a pathetic UF team, run out for some Krystals, then get back in front of the computer in time to torment Jacket fans over a horrible defeat. Is it so terrible that we might just win this?
And I don’t care about idiot Tech supporters on the UGA blogs. I’m not there. YOU GUYS ARE HERE.
Last I will acknowledge you. Back to your beer and cigarettes……
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
I would rather have had a review of the Clemson nose tackle taking the snap from center.
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
The announcers are giving the refs a lot of on air grief. Conference hq looks at all game tapes to review/critique the refs.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:37 pm
What are these officials smoking tonight?
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:37 pm
wow at this play
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:37 pm
where was the damn replay awhile ago..they’ll give it to them bs
19
October 29th, 2011
10:37 pm
Beggar, but your momma is a loser!
Go Jackets!!!
One eyed babe.
October 29th, 2011
10:37 pm
Tech playing the “monsta mash”. The Pakistani gurus at Tech have no idea what that song is. ROTFLMAO.
Will
October 29th, 2011
10:38 pm
Come on Offense, come back and close the game
OldSchoolTechFanatic
October 29th, 2011
10:38 pm
Looks like Tevin is hitting the short pass instead of going for the homerun everytime. Way to go.
19
October 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
I agree with the oldfart!
Go Jackets!!!
Bean Counter
October 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
Schultz, you ability to pick winners is only over shadowed by your writing ability. They both are biased and not worth the space in the “daily rag”.