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Georgia Tech vs. Clemson Game Preview
Broadcast
Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC)
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: ABC/ESPN2
Why You Need To Care
Now that No. 6 Clemson is the unequivocal ‘it’ team in the ACC, can the program avoid a letdown in the aftermath of last Saturday’s thrilling win over Notre Dame?
By surviving the test of unbeatens with Notre Dame, the Tigers took a giant step toward playoff contention, while solidifying their spot atop the ACC. But now comes the sneaky-tough part, maintaining the edge as a heavy favorite in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 7 showdown with Florida State. This weekend, for instance.
Residing on the exact opposite spectrum of Clemson these days is Georgia Tech, which has dropped three in a row and will arrive in Death Valley with nothing to lose. There was a time not long ago that the Yellow Jackets appeared poised to bust into the two-team ACC penthouse occupied by Florida State and Clemson. But that was before consecutive losses to ND, Duke and North Carolina. It might take an upset this weekend to salvage the season for Tech.
Why Georgia Tech Will Win
It’s a perfect time to be catching Clemson.
Dabo Swinney was preaching and gyrating a week ago on the heels of a signature win. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets are angry, desperate and borderline playing with house money at this point. Tech will let it all hang out on Saturday. While the team’s A-backs are banged up, B-backs Patrick Skov and Marcus Marshall are healthy. And QB Justin Thomas is a dangerous point man capable of putting the team on his shoulders and engineering a season-altering upset.
Why Clemson Will Win
The Tigers defeated Notre Dame on a wet night that Deshaun Watson threw for just 84 yards. In other words, this team can win with offense or defense.
Clemson doesn’t necessarily need Watson, its best overall player, to thrive. And that’s both great news and testament to how well the defense is playing. The Tigers are giving up just 15 points per game and 4.6 yards per play. Plus, run support is coming from every level, including ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, linebackers Ben Boulware and B.J. Goodson and safeties Jayron Kearse and T.J. Green.
Player Who Matters
Georgia Tech is having a tough time defending decent offenses, allowing more than seven yards a play in recent games with Notre Dame and Carolina. And while Watson ought to get back on track this weekend, Clemson is liable to have even more success running the ball right at the Yellow Jackets. Opponents have rushed for 10 touchdowns against Tech during its three-game losing streak, which ought to lead to Wayne Gallman’s third straight 100-yard game.
What’s Going To Happen?
Clemson would be on upset alert if Georgia Tech wasn’t playing so poorly.
This is a perilous spot for the Tigers. The week after an emotional win. A desperate veteran team in town. But Georgia Tech is fielding too many injuries and executing too poorly to actually deliver the upset. Plus, Watson is ready to rebound and that Clemson D continues to trend north. The Yellow Jackets will land a few early punches, but won’t be able to go all 12 rounds with the presumptive ACC favorite.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Prediction
Final Score: Clemson 35, Georgia Tech 24, Line: Clemson -7, o/u: 54.5
I believe tech can and may come close but in not sure that they do. They are hungry and desperate for a win, so they "should" play with their hair on fire; but remember, these are college kids. No way of being sure what their emotions are like right now or their motivation levels. I think they have a good shot at covering tho which is my play. Never hurts to sprinkle the. Money line but I wouldn't cover it hahaha
