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
Buzzed
October 29th, 2011
11:06 pm
Paul Johnson for President!!
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
11:06 pm
Clemson really screwed itself with that interception in the end zone. At least someone is screwing on that hideous campus tonight.
IndyGT
October 29th, 2011
11:06 pm
I’m naming my next born child – Jemea Thomas!!!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:06 pm
Tech has had the ball over 36 minutes so far tonight. Can you say ball control????
What?
October 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
GT last lost 3 of 4 to a UGA program that is considered “down”.
GTBUZZ81
October 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
Guess it was past the Uga trolls bedtime????THWG!!!!!
Edvis
October 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
Grind it out boys
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
First?! oh wait…
Stinger1
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
yabbo dabba ………………………..boo boo…………. GET THE HELL OFF MY MILE YOUR STINKING IT UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THE PART’S OVER
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
I don’t know what I am more nervous about – the GT-Clemson game or the power going out and me missing the end of it.
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Stinger1 – me thinks you can breathe a bit easier…
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
UFC 137
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
left out a Y dang it
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Ball game
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
And there it is!!!!!!!!! Yahoo!
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Ball game.
What?
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Did I hear the announcer talk about the brilliance of Al’s defense tonight? hahahahahahahahahah.
Clemson is a fraud.
GTBUZZ81
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Another Yellow Jacket 1st Down!!!!!
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Congratulations to the Georgia Bulldogs for struggling mightily to beat the .500 Florida Gators 24-20. In related news, Tech is blowing the doors off the No. 5 team in the country and chewing them up like a meat grinder here in the fourth quarter. Life is good.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
Glory, glory! (Or something like that.)
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
11:08 pm
DEATH MARCH VICTORY DRIVE!!!
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:09 pm
congrats tech! Im a dawg fan but I have to say you all played a fantastic game and deserve the win.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:09 pm
Paul, bunch of snow up there tonight?
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
11:09 pm
try again—TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THE PARTY’S OVER
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:09 pm
Washington has really played great..hope those recruits take notice of what can be on the flats…
one eyed babe
October 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
You just saw illegal blocking with no call. 2 blockers engaged on 1 defender. But one was “on his knees” so it is legal.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
BTW congrats to GA, I said it at the beginning of the evening. That’s a good win for y’all!
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
Suck on that Tommy Bowden
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Coach Johnson and staff have also done a great job getting team ready for Tigers..
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
@katherine … thanks … your guys played a good game today too
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
5″ of snow so far and the power has flickered 5 or 6 times
Edvis
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Me too Katherine, let’s rock — hope they both win out till t-giving
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Both schools represented the State of GA well today.
ARdawg
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Congrats on a good win Nerds! Nice to see you out of the gutter
Chris Miller is my biotch
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Chris Miller Tech has lost 9 of 10 to the Dawgs. ROTFLAMO.
19
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Go Jackets!!!
Go Jackets!!!
Go Jackets!!!
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
well whenever all the hometown teams win i’m happy….unless we are playing each other
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Paul, I saw that snow during the Rutgers game today.
George P Burdell
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Hellava game for the white and gold !
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Game isn’t over yet – anything couls still happen
GTBUZZ81
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
What?
October 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
GT last lost 3 of 4 to a UGA program that is considered “down”
Uga is always “down”,what a sorry excuse for a football program.What a waste of 5 star talent!!!
North ave. faithful
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Good one dawg day,now go take another crack at your cousin,
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
You can bet that UGA pictures will be all over the front page, home page and sports page tomorrow and very little of GT
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Paul in NH – hang in there! Just got out of VT in time. It was gorgeous and had a great time! If the lights go out now at least you can crawl under the covers and stay warm with some awesome memories from this game – WOW!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Thanks, Katherine. Congratulations on the Dawg victory today.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
one eye jack..how can it be illegal and also legal…you sound like Eric Holder..Fast & Furious..
Stephen CC
October 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
Way to go, Jackets!!! Hang on and win this thing! Ramble On!
Dawgfood
October 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
How the hell did you guys lose to Virginia?
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
11:14 pm
Go for it!!!