Georgia Tech @ Clemson preview
Clemson Memorial Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 5, 2009 ) Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34
You know it was a forgettable day for your defense when a reporter suggests that just forcing a punt in this week’s rematch might be a victory of sorts.
So it was this week for Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele as the Tigers prepare to host Georgia Tech in Saturday’s rematch of last year’s ACC Championship.
The Yellow Jackets’ spread option offense shredded Steele’s defense for 333 yards rushing that day after gutting it for a mere 301 in the teams’ earlier 2009 meeting in Atlanta.
So at least slowing coach Paul Johnson’s devastating ground attack will be paramount for the Tigers if they hope to climb back into contention in the ACC’s Atlantic Division.
Clemson played well in all of the game’s three phases in throttling Maryland 31-7 last week, but Georgia Tech’s rushing attack, which features viable running threats from the quarterback, the dive man and pitch man and ranks second nationally in rushing (328.14 ypg), will pose unique challenges.
Jackets quarterback Joshua Nesbitt needs just 44 yards to become the league’s most prolific rushing quarterback, eclipsing a mark of 2,761 held by former Clemson signal caller Woodrow Dantzler. Nesbitt was a big reason why Georgia Tech (5-2, 3-1 ACC) was able to blitz Virginia for 477 rushing yards in a 33-21 win on Oct. 9 for the highest rushing total by an ACC team in 29 years.
Junior defensive end Da’Quan Bowers recorded three sacks and four stops for losses in last week’s win over the Terps and paces the nation in both categories. He and the rest of his defensive teams must consistently play sound assignment football if Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is to beat the Yellow Jackets for the first time in four career meetings.
Keeping the Georgia Tech offense along the sidelines might be Clemson’s best hope, but that means the Tigers (3-3, 1-2) will have to do better than recent efforts to sustain drives.
Quarterback Kyle Parker completed just 7 of 20 passes for 106 yards last week. His suspect accuracy - he’s completed just 51 percent of his passes this season – is a big reason why the Tigers rank a paltry 89th nationally in passing offense and 80th overall.
Tailback Andre Ellington’s nine touchdowns are tops in the ACC, but he needs Parker to provide him more room to work with an improved passing game.
Georgia Tech has won six of its last seven meetings against Clemson, but 12 of the last 15 games between the two schools have been decided by five points or less.