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
11:21 pm
Charleston Jacket—You got a brother-in-law named John?
HEATHER D IS A MORON
October 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
AND ALSO, GA SOUTHERN AND GA STATE CAN GO TO HE##
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
I am so proud of this TEAM, way to go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!
ARdawg
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
Isn’t this where you Nerds tout Washington for the Heisman?
Congrats on the win. That was a good game
Old Blind Dawg
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
Kudos to the Techsters – well done.
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
Great win for GT and very few expected it – including me
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
Jeff, thanks for covering the game. You are our good luck charm. Hope you are there Thursday night.
Stinger1
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
iT FEELS GREAT TO BE A YELLLLOW JACKET……………IT FEELS GREAT TO BE A YELLLLLLLOW JACKET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
will…not all of us uga fans are bad guys (or girls)….just like you all arent the trolls who were on the uga blog earlier. some of us can be happy for both teams
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
Dabbo said see you in charlotte paul
Paul Johnson
October 29th, 2011
11:23 pm
Hey Schultz,
Nice prediction on the game you silly Hebrew!!
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
katherine, yes even Braves fans?
Jacket Dad
October 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
I’m so proud of my Yellow Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was the best I’ve ever seen them play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great game in every phase of the game!
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
id like to see standford lose…but im torn….i cant stand lane kiffin
freddie
October 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
Tech rocks!!!
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
I was on the UGA blog but just reading the comments.during the game – brutal comments for a team that won
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:25 pm
OSU just finished off Wisconsin
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
11:25 pm
Dominated the # 5 ranked team. Ajc start showing us some love and you too JS.
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:25 pm
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
katherine, yes even Braves fans?
Im confused…what about us braves fans?
freddie
October 29th, 2011
11:25 pm
I’m happier than a gay guy watching the home remodeling chanel
wreckmaniac
October 29th, 2011
11:26 pm
Old AJC Sunday Issue:
TECH Blasts # 5 Clemson
Poppa-John Bound UGA ekes out Win over #98 Florida
wreckmaniac
October 29th, 2011
11:27 pm
To Coach PJ: You old sneaky devil you.
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
11:27 pm
Sorry but the AJC does not think GT is relevant – only the Dawgs
NATS
October 29th, 2011
11:27 pm
Nice coverage of the best win in the state today AJC. Impartial as always. What a rag.
UGA 92
October 29th, 2011
11:27 pm
As a UGA Grad, I never thought I would see the day where I wanted Tech to win, but after listening to Dabo Sweeny and the announcers before the game, Clemson needed humiliating. Sweeny was talking about how Clemson is now in the Elite of College Football. The announcers saying things like, “if Tech hopes to stay in this game.” Tech beat the snot out of Clemson. Well done!
lewisbuzzard
October 29th, 2011
11:28 pm
Monumental!
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:28 pm
Nothing baby..I love you blogs on Braves..just letting you know..Sleep well Georgia!
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:28 pm
wreck…..im happy for you…it was a great game…but the dawgs have this mental thing with florida so any win against them is a good one….im happy
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
11:28 pm
Dang I’m too pumped to go to bed. What a great game GT played. If they play with this level of focus & intensity, they can win out& be 12-2 when football is over.
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:28 pm
Nothing baby..I love you blogs on Braves..just letting you know..Sleep well Georgia!
lol ok
Stinger1
October 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
Over came the bad call & Did what they had to do. A job well done
BUZZ 2011
October 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
Jeff , please advise your pal Bark Madley that the mediocre team on North Avenue
played pretty well tonight..Go Jackets.. Down goes unbeaten #5
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
To all the classy GA fans, thanks for the props to the Tech team and congrats on your win.
To all the trolls……………enjoy your evening
wreckmaniac
October 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
Stephon Tuitt’s Mom now says ” hey coach PJ does that offer still stand ?”
BUZZ 2011
October 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
Amazing…. Did the Dogs play anyone today???
Stinger1
October 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
Bradley : Not a Good writer .
Not Disappointed
October 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
Thank you Classy DAWG fans! I’m glad you beat the dang Gators Too!
Good Game Jackets!
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
katherine – I was over there too, but unfortunately for UGA some of the worst comments on Bradley’s blog were from some that consider themselves UGA fans. They could do a whole lot worse than Richt, and unfortunately have.
wreckmaniac
October 29th, 2011
11:31 pm
I love me some Sims up the middle too !
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
11:31 pm
Great day for the state of Georgia!
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:31 pm
at least we all dont have to see the stupid florida flags flying on peoples cars tomorrow thats always a plus ha
gt110215
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
Goooooo Jackets!!!! Great Game Tonight!!!!!
Will
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
see what happens when we are unranked
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
USCwest/Stanford……………tied
ole yeller
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
For the UGA fans, good to watch the Gators get their azz whipped. Tech fans good job!! Everyone wants to see Clemson loose. The Gators are history.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
Good night all..What a great day for everyone. Thanks Jeff.
BUZZ 2011
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
Dabba Dabo Doo, you are welcome anytime to North Avenue…………
Jackets back in the top 20 and looking for Beamer..
katherine
October 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
oh i know oldfart….I get a lot of grief from the so called negative dawg fans when I tell them to stop being so negative
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:33 pm
Will, it does seem Tech plays better when they have a bit of chip on their shoulder
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
11:33 pm
Going to enjoy this win for a while and look forward to VT!