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
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
This sucks–14 point turn-around on horrible officiating.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
Gotta forget the bad call. You-know-what happens sometimes; it is how you respond that is important.
Need a drive here, and POINTS.
RUN CLOCK RUN…..
GO JACKETS!!!!!
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Like I said the refs will screw us like they helped Uga
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Let’s Go Jackets!!!
Jacket Dad
October 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
You guys that are saying we are whining obviously did not see the play! The announcers were as furious as we are!
lewisbuzzard
October 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Tech screwed by the refs obvious offside on the goal line.
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:41 pm
Let’s just face it people, there is no way two line officials could not have seen Clemson’s D-line THAT far offsides on the other end so you draw your own conclusion as to why they didn’t call it!
jack
October 29th, 2011
10:41 pm
It’s just wrong when a game is turned, and/or so affected by poor officiating. 14 point swing by “professional” official missing a plainly obvious off side call. It’s time for PJ to pour it on and run the score up on these clowns.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:41 pm
Miller Lowlife > Keith Stone
One eyed babe.
October 29th, 2011
10:41 pm
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
I hate feeding the trolls, but what is the deal with all the “chop block” crap?
Two blockers engaging one defensive player at the same time. One up hi and one down low. Tech makes a living at it. But PJ knows how to get around the rules. Watch a couple of the Tech lineman fall down which is not really “blocking” but has the effect of creating a pile in which the hi blocker then engages.
Don’t gripe, just watch and learn. It is very obvious, but legal.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:42 pm
Must hold on to the ball, and get points…..
Yeah, that’s me, Captain Obvious….
jack
October 29th, 2011
10:42 pm
the last 8 minutes of this game has been complete and total BS !!!!!!
ole yeller
October 29th, 2011
10:43 pm
This is what drives me crazy about Al Gogh, he gets a big lead and backs off, and plays not to loose rather than to win. He go’s soft instead of attacking.
Buzzed
October 29th, 2011
10:43 pm
Apparently you can’t spell overrated without Wisconsin or Clemson.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:43 pm
run the clock…get the first downs…ref keep helping tigers
One eyed babe.
October 29th, 2011
10:43 pm
During each play at least one GT lineman on the side opposite of the direction of the play will fall down and his defensive man will be engaged by another lineman or running back.
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:43 pm
Why is Sweeney complaining? He’s certainly getting all the calls his way!
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
One eyed babe.
I know what they are complaining about. The important part of my post was the word CRAP. I don’t get why every redneck and his/her brother were rushing to tell us all about our blocking techniques – it is like they ran out of things to complain about.
bigdawg88
October 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
haha 76 is holding
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
Ouch!
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
wtffff was that
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
That was spiffy.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
Good boot there, Sean Poole!
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
Can we get another defensive stop?
Buzzed
October 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
Don’t we have a 14 point lead? Why is everyone whinning?
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
what was that crap..
don’t get to conservative
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
Got just what we didn’t need – 3 and out……
Come on, defense.
GO JACKETS!!!!
Will
October 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
just hope the D can stay alive!
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
Schultz must have lost his WiFi.
bigdawg88
October 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
chick in the sw commercial is hot
One eyed babe.
October 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
Well Craig James has mentioned it 3 or 4 times. So it is an issue to people who understand football.
BigTimeTECHFan
October 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
THis a lot better football then the UGA / Florida game. I was watching that game with both uga and florida fans and they both said it was a real bad game.
Go jacketts, I called it right, Tech would come out fired up
DeepDiver
October 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
Schultzie fell asleep?
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:48 pm
Schultz must have lost his WiFi.
Naw, he’s just trying to write his game story to beat the print deadline, I would guess.
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
ANOTHER near int….
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
Get some heat on the QB!!
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
ok defense is letting up now
One eyed babe.
October 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
BigTimeTECHFan
October 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
THis a lot better football then the UGA / Florida game.
Yeah, teams that play defense are sometimes boring to watch.
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
14 is not enough if we’re just going to let them march down the field.
Will
October 29th, 2011
10:50 pm
gotta stop the throws!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:50 pm
All Jamea Thomas does is make plays!
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:50 pm
One eyed babe
Exaggerate much?
….. about both James’ comments AND your football knowledge…….
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
10:51 pm
This game a lot like 2009
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:51 pm
At least 10,000 Dawgs kept calling the almost clip by Vandy on Geathers a chop block. Shows how bright the analysis is on these blogs.
Buzzed
October 29th, 2011
10:51 pm
14 is plenty. Clemson has shown how overrated they are tonight.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:51 pm
Helluva fun game to watch
bigdawg88
October 29th, 2011
10:52 pm
Clemson receivers cant catch, haha
DS_CE91
October 29th, 2011
10:52 pm
By the way, how were the Krystals?
GTBUZZ81
October 29th, 2011
10:52 pm
4th and 10!!!!Hold ‘em Defense!!!!
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:52 pm
No one whining, just don’t want to see such a good effort wasted by dumb refs