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
Tweet
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
902 comments Add your comment
Gorilla Biscuit
October 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
Paul learned the forward pass!
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
Beautiful!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
What a catch, even with pass interference!!!
Cane Ain't Able
October 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
You hear the subtle sexism from Craig James while cheerleaders were on tv ? “You like that midline again” ?
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
lol – If I weren’t doing psychedelics tonight I would have believed he made that catch.
Gorilla Biscuit
October 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
A 21 point lead on Clemson at the half would be huge.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
TD TEVIN!
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
There it is…..
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
PERFECT!!!
Gorilla Biscuit
October 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
Go for the onside kick!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Let’s not have a Miami like return here guys.
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Hill is a believer now -he is ready to go so throw it to him
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Is this the same team that lost to Virginia? … Make that 24-3 with :37 left in half.
Tech Mom
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Tech can throw!!! Up by 21!
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Oops, Freudian slip.
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
The secret is throw it where he can’t catch it. LOL
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
9:32 pm
Total yardage: Jackets 244, Clemson 104.
Keyboard-bravado-is-whack
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Uga got 60 pages
Gorilla Biscuit
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Keystone Kops.
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
This team is believing now
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Wow…Clemson has a great stop on special teams!
DeepDiver
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
T-DUB playin lights-out tonight.
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Tackled by his own man! Ha ha ha!
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Great Clemson tackle!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Mike Patrick is having a ball calling this game for ESPN
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
All those espn retards who were saying how techs defense couldn’t stop clemson. Yeah you did your homework
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
9:34 pm
I wish that douchebag pollack was calling this game
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
9:34 pm
Got to tip my cap to you engineers. Start the celebration early tonight, if you can find some girls somewhere. Or at least some quality anime mags.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
Paul Johnson must have told his team that they were playing Kansas again tonight.
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
Dawg dumbarse, we’re in atlanta, not albany
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
Tremendous half, especially by Tech defense.
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
OKOKOKOKOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
Great half by the D!!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
Great 1st half, Jackets! Keep it going!!!!
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
Another good stop by the special teams and defense to close out the first half.
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
This game is not over. No celebration for a while.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
I believe Dabo is MAD!
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
Dabo sounds a little upset
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
Dabbo doo. lol
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
Dabo seems a tad miffed.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
Love it!
G
October 29th, 2011
9:38 pm
Dabo Sweeney is the kind if guy that is one dumb comment, lead by emotion, away from saying or doing something real stupid.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
9:38 pm
Just gotta stay focused and hungry in the 2nd half. Clemson can be very explosive. But, I do like what I’m seeing!
Will
October 29th, 2011
9:38 pm
keep it up during the 2nd half!
19
October 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
Thank you Jemea and Orwin! Hit them hard!
Who is calling the color on abc?
It sounds like craig james…
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
Yes Jeff tech defense has been strong all season but no one gave them credit. They talked up the mutts defense against crap teams. Yes uga’s 4 sec wins have come against teams that have won a combined 4 games. Think about that.
True DAWG
October 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
Schultz you missed it idiot DAWGS beat Gators fess up you dont know crap!
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
Wow! Where did this performance come from? Still a long way to go and Clemson gets the ball. GT needs to stop CU and start to get them panicking
Dan
October 29th, 2011
9:40 pm
I’m pleasantly stunned and enjoying it. That said, Clemson dug out from deep holes against Auburn and Maryland this season, it’s not like they don’t know how to come back. Here’s hoping the D can overcome the natural inclination to let up even just a little bit.
Gorilla Biscuit
October 29th, 2011
9:40 pm
I’m impressed. Don’t lose composure in the 2nd half.