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
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
Dang it
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
uh oh!!!
Paul in NH
October 29th, 2011
10:01 pm
Watkins is the quickest guy I have seen in a long time
J.J.M.
October 29th, 2011
10:01 pm
what was that a 2 min drive?
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
10:01 pm
Clemson just went 70 yards in 1:19.
Boyz From North Ave
October 29th, 2011
10:01 pm
Defense is good, even after last play…….O….STEP the F UP!
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:01 pm
That was a great passing play.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
time to go back to work…
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
Either don’t allow the Qb time to throw or keep two on hothands……
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
That was fast. Both the receiver and the drive.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
Just a bad angle by the safety. But dang!
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
10:03 pm
Clemson just did what they had to do
Now GT needs to do what they need to and that is score after a 9 min drive
I will break your ankles, but it's "legal".
October 29th, 2011
10:03 pm
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
9:54 pm
What is Clemson not doing defensively that Virginia and Miami did so effectively? Linebackers? Defensive backs?
Clemson’s defense blows. They give up an average of 25 per game and that is with VT fumbling its way to 3 points. Otherwise, Clemson would average giving up 30+ a game.
Their offense is their best defense. They will not stop Tech, especially with the officials allowing cut blocks down field and hi/lo on the interior. Don’t get mad at me, just look at the plays closely.
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:03 pm
Now we will see what adjustments the Clemson defense has made.
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:03 pm
The defense is going to give up a big play or two against this potent Clemson offense. Tech just needs to keep doing the ball control thing on offense and all will be well.
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:04 pm
Time for a 10 minute offensive drive.
I will break your ankles, but it's "legal".
October 29th, 2011
10:04 pm
L Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:03 pm
Now we will see what adjustments the Clemson defense has made.
None. Book it.
Ken Sugiura
October 29th, 2011
10:04 pm
gotta grind one out here.
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Time for another Death March!
bucket
October 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Dawg fan here, but Go Jackets! I hate orange!!!
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Not bad holding them to 27 minutes until a td.
IL Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:06 pm
First off, they are really packing the box. Look at the LBs.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:06 pm
Great run!!!!!!!!!!
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:06 pm
Where did THAT come from?!?!
Yabba Dabbo
October 29th, 2011
10:06 pm
That a way Tev! He’s quicker than people think
19
October 29th, 2011
10:06 pm
HECK YEA!!!!
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Stephen Hill was still blocking 40 yards downfield on that run!
TheAntiMe
October 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
@I will break your ankles, but it’s “legal”: No offense taken but I do believe that I said if you reread my post that the Clemson offense was very fast but their defense is not as fast as Miami’s was.
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Oh well if you aren’t gonna’ grind it out I’ll take that too.
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Tevin Washington looks like a different player. His 2 season high runs both in this game (46 and 56).
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
How long was that drive Jeff
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Jackets just slashing Clemson’s front.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
The only problem with that drive is that it didn’t last long enough. Go Jackets!
1 4 GT
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
YEAH DAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't have a BCS vote.
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Top #5. ROTFLAMO….What a hoot.
MadDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Maybe it’s the Yuengling, but the two cheerleaders shown after that last TD weren’t half bad…
Auburn Jacket
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Way to ANSWER!!
TechMom77
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Hold on tight to my legs!!!!
dawg day afternoon needs to work on his math
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Let’s see…
UGA has 5 SEC wins this year against the absolute bottom of the barrel… and had to struggle to beat a 1 legged QB and his fumbling RB’s…. pretty impressive…
Who has UGA beat in the SEC?
Ole Miss – 0-4 in the SEC
Miss St. – 1-4 in the SEC
Vandy – 1-4 in the SEC
Tenn – 0-4 in the SEC
UF – 2-4 in the SEC
A combined 4-20 in the SEC … Jorja should be really proud and pumpin’ their chest….
Easiest SEC schedule in the whole conference….
Who has UGA beat ….. Nobody, but yet you would have thought they just won the national championship today… Funny little doggies…
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
5 plays Jeff…
Gtjohn
October 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Well it was not 9 minutes but i’ll take
19
October 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
That will get it done!
Go Jackets!!!
Technophobia
October 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
totally different team tonight
Technophobia
October 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
Enter your comments here
I don't have a BCS vote.
October 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
Hard to believe someone thinks Clemson is within 3 rankings of AL and LSU. OMG.
Ol'JacketFan
October 29th, 2011
10:10 pm
Seems I recall a troll stating Clemson would win 63-7?????
Not Disappointed
October 29th, 2011
10:10 pm
Take that DABO! Your move! Go Jackets!
dawg day afternoon
October 29th, 2011
10:10 pm
Who has beat tech:
Virginia.
HAHAHAHA!!!
oldfart
October 29th, 2011
10:10 pm
MadDawg – It wasn’t the Yuengling.
GT fan
October 29th, 2011
10:11 pm
Did you see that beautiful girl in 3 row behind goal post…