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
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
Watch out. They may get one yard!
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
Time for a nech coach the option doesnt work against great teans
kappellmeister
October 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
roared
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
What is a “not smooth enough” and where do I get one?
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
*new
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
Oops they got TWO!!
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
Is it really an option when the honey bee QB keeps the ball and gets drilled at the line of scrimmage? One of you NERDS do me a favor and write an algorithm explaining why tech plays like girls.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
Two possessions, no first downs.
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
Wow! That was underwhelming.
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:30 pm
Wow that receiver was right there. Remember Maryland was up 34-20 on them
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
Poor Tevin is just out of his league.
Will
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
D***t tevin
Ken Sugiura
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
if tech can’t block brandon thompson, as has been the case so far, this isn’t going to end well.
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
@dawg day afternoon – not enough girls at tech so you need to correct the problem somehow
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
My Keystones Chris Miller. Hear I’ll toss you one, but of course you were never a smooth QB so I’ll just hand it to you.
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
Another good punt.
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
Tired defense right back on the field this will happen all night
Keith Stone
October 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
Hear* should be *Here* Dang I can’t type.
Gorilla Biscuit
October 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
Have I missed anything?
Just got through with some serious celebration in honor of my DAWGS!!
So how we doing?
It was good while it lasted
October 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
I bought a ticket for this game more than a month ago when it looked to be a good game. Today, in anticipation of what I expect to be a really LOUSY game, I sold it to a Clemson fan. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I believe I made a good decision … although I would love nothing more than for Tech to turn this thing around, come back and win this game. The season was certainly a lot more fun for the first 4-5 games than the last 3-4 games.
TeckRedNeck
October 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
I love the Gold and White, But I just can’t see the Jackets winning this one. But stranger things have happened.
Chris Miller
October 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
Hey Stones, you’re on a Tech board so next time remember to use “you’re” instead of “your.”
Firemarshall Bill
October 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
Dawg day……….let it go man. Just enjoy that eeked out win with the rest of us and leave these tech folks alone.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
I would love to see the triple option with Georgia’s RBs. It might not be so bad.
smitty
October 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
already losing the field position battle……its gonna get ugly fast…..too much pressure on the D…..
passing on third and long…..brilliant!……pass me a guiness….quick….
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
8:34 pm
This is going to be a long night
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:34 pm
Didn’t get back to the line — should be grounding.
Will
October 29th, 2011
8:34 pm
well at least are defense looks good right now, but if the offense keep playing the way they are the defense will be too tired later
smitty
October 29th, 2011
8:34 pm
OK, way to go D
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:35 pm
Way to go defense!!!
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
8:35 pm
@MadDawg – Haha, I guess the NERDS have to engineer some semblance of a social life, somehow! Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are!
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
That’s the only td we will get
mmgtfan
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
Whats the rule Schultz?
smitty
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
thats a TD
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
Touchdown Tech!
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
That’s a fumble .. ball is out. .. but whistle blew so I think it would just be change of possession, not TD (not positive)
GT baby
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
Thats a TD…
Jason
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
Well maybe one more when it’s 62-7
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
That was a TD
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
Whistle blew – but it is a fumble
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
That’s cool but I usually try to cover my tail feathers.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
Should be Tech’s ball at the spot of the fumble because of the whistle!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
The ball was out, but they blew the whistle. Our ball at the point of the fumble?
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
Should be Tech ball.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
Yep — fumble but no TD. Hey, I got one right.
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
I bet the honey bees would have loved to eek out a win vs. Virginia. There’s still hope for the engineers though. They may win another game this year, just not after Thanksgiving.
BGT
October 29th, 2011
8:38 pm
Does anyone else wish Groh was the coach and the fridge the OC? I do.
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
Way to go Sweeting!!!
BGT
October 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
That rule needs to be changed. That should have been 7
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
Football is so much better with replay, even when it goes against you you know it wasn’t a cheap call.