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
BBQ MAN
October 29th, 2011
8:15 pm
tech will either lose by 20 or win by 8
1980 Dawg
October 29th, 2011
8:15 pm
Speaking of an upset, I will be upset if the nerds win!
GT baby
October 29th, 2011
8:15 pm
dawg day crap..get a life..
GT baby
October 29th, 2011
8:16 pm
Win are lose…we don’t quit!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:16 pm
Boy, that was not a very good pass effort.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Shaky start for the QB again.
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
I am Keith Stone and I am SMOOTH!!!!!
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
lol game over already
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Good sign. Great punt.
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Ol’ Turkey Neck is gonna be MAD come halftime! Better start frying that fish early, NERDS!
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
I wonder when Paul Johnson will finally realize Tech’s recent decline falls squarely on the shoulders of Tevin “Pitch? What’s a ‘pitch?” Washington and Al “Watch the opponent’s rushing total” Groh?
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
Hold my Stones while I go show Coach Manboobs how smooth to run an offense.
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
3 and out…here’s an idea–run the option!
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
Yeah we don;t need a special teams coach. Let’s rely on the luck of the bounce
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:19 pm
That’s speed Tech defense can’t match.
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:19 pm
Feel sorry for the defense. We finally have a good one and the offense SUCKS
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:19 pm
We can’t play them that loose.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
Keith Stone — keep it clean please.
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
We can’t run the option because we have NO passing game because our IDIOT coach keeps Tevin in who CANT pass anymore
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
I’ll give them credit. Clemson always seems to have a pretty decent team.
zebra
October 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
Is this the daily fire Richt column? Hope I’m not too late.
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
6 minute drive down the field with no problem.
7-0 clemson. Great job Paul
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
So much for keeping the opponents TOP down. Haven’t done that in 3 games
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:22 pm
We won’t even beat DOOK
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:22 pm
Need to bow up here.
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
8:22 pm
anybody really expect tech to win this?
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
8:22 pm
Aside from getting a solid ACC win, I really hope Tech beats Clemson so Dabo will shut up for a change. He’s getting a little too obnoxious and big for his britches.
GT baby
October 29th, 2011
8:23 pm
They’re not 8-0 for nothing…but thats why you play the game….
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:23 pm
A fresh D can’t even stop them. Wow. Those who took Clemson will be smiling in 2 hours
24-3
Will Mutt Champ
October 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
Where is Gatormeat? He said he would be on here to gloat?
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
Alright, good stop defense.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
Jackets down 3-0 but Johnson would be happy to hold Clemson to field goals all night (not going to happen).
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
I can’t wait for our next offensive possession. Can you say 3 and a 20 yard punt
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
Keep it clean? Was it the Man****s part? I can count endless times you and other bloggers have let that word stay on this blog and never called to keep it clean.
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
Poor Jeff Schultz. He just wished he was half as smooth as me.
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
Come on, Tevin. No more happy feet. Step toward the target and throw.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
Keith Stone — Not on my blog. In past when I give an inch, folks take a mile. Sorry.
Ken Sugiura
October 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
for at least one drive, tech made clemson work for points. now they’ve got to get some.
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
This one will be at the 20
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
I wonder if these UGA future subordinates realize no one’s paying any real attention to them?
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
Ford commercials during football games are funny. It’s either Mark Richt or Denis Leary. Talk about polar opposites.
kappellmeister
October 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
Never been happier you were wrong ’bout dem dawgs than today, Jeff, but you’re right – if i had taken your picks to vegas this year I could retire!
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
How embarassing and pathetic to not have a kickoff return for a td since 98. Think how many scores they have had on them.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
Flag . . .
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
Think positively Tech fans–the GT special teams unit was down in Jacksonville today playing for UGA so maybe today will be better…
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
That paul johnson offense is sure effective and scary!
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
Ok whatever. I have seen that particular word on your blog before and no one called out for it, but I digress. Someone obviously needs a drink. But keep your hands off my Stones, your not smooth enough.
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
Paul you’re offense is amazing!
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
I’m beginning to dislike Tevin Washington even more than I did Reggie Ball.
kappellmeister
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
Ole Miss has rored back on AUB to tie it at 17 near the half.