Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Clemson football must remain level-headed vs. Georgia Tech

By Justin Heisey

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 hands off to running back Adam Choice #26 of the Clemson Tigers during the Tigers' football game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 hands off to running back Adam Choice #26 of the Clemson Tigers during the Tigers' football game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Clemson football travels to Atlanta this weekend to take on Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense in the notorious Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Clemson hasn’t quite shown the same moxie that many anticipated going into the season. A blowout over Furman was followed up by a close win over Texas A&M on the road.

Last week, the Tigers had three turnovers incredibly early on against Georgia Southern last week before picking up steam in the second half. The quarterback rotation continues on as co-offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott try to get Trevor Lawrence snaps while seasoned veteran Kelly Bryant continues to start each ball game.

Clemson is tied for third in sacks nationally as well as fifth in tackles for loss on defense making the defensive line one of the best in the nation. The Tigers got a taste of the triple-option last week and dominated Georgia Southern, but can they do the same against Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech has seen a weird start to its season. The Yellow Jackets began the season with a blowout win over Alcorn State but gave up a combined 761 yards to Pittsburgh and South Florida in back-to-back losses.

On a brighter note, TaQuon Marshall and Tobias Oliver have combined for 462 rushing yards out of the quarterback position and the Yellow Jackets are leading the nation in rushing offense but tragedy struck Tech a few weeks ago when dive-back KirVontae Benson suffered a season-ending knee injury against USF.

Can the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option overpower the dominant Clemson defensive line?

The ACC Coastal division is still very much wide open going into week four, does Georgia Tech find a course correction on Hall of Fame Day? Or does Clemson continue winning in pursuit of their fourth consecutive playoff appearance?

Date: Saturday, Sept. 22
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV

Players to Watch

Clemson

Georgia Tech

Keys to Victory

Clemson pretty much needs to keep on keeping on if they plan on winning. The pass defense suffered against Texas A&M several weeks ago but the Tigers’ run defense was dominant in all three weeks. Georgia Southern’s triple-option attack finished with 80 yards on 43 attempts against Clemson’s dominant defensive front Georgia Tech will ultimately need to pass at some point if they want to have a shot.

A key player for the Tigers’ defense is Isaiah Simmons at nickelback. Dorian O’Daniel played a key role against the triple-option for multiple seasons and Simmons is the next man up at that spot. The offense needs to find a rhythm and stick with it much like they’ve done for weeks now.

Georgia Tech has a longer, tougher and more creative path to victory against Clemson. First and foremost, you’re not going to beat Clemson solely on the ground. Brad Stewart isn’t exactly a matchup problem like former Tech receivers DeAndre Smelter or Darren Waller were but he’s got to step up in ways that he hasn’t been able to do all season long.

Marshall and Oliver swapping out may help or hurt the Yellow Jackets but if one works to leave the other on the bench.

Defensively, the Jackets need to force some turnovers and make Trevor Lawrence look like a freshman quarterback. Lastly, the crowd has to play a factor in the game. Paul Johnson has to be creative play-calling and do enough to keep the crown in the game.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of OddsShark

Line: Clemson -15.5
Over/Under: 51.5

Next. Top 30 breakout candidates for 2018 season. dark

Prediction

Clemson’s winning this one. There’s no way the Georgia Tech defensive line is going to overpower Clemson’s defensive line with the talented depth at those spots. The Yellow Jackets don’t have a strong passing attack to keep the safeties honest and don’t have the defense to hold either Kelly Bryant or Trevor Lawrence from scoring.

Final Score Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 6

Home/Clemson Tigers