Clemson vs Georgia Tech Picks & Predictions

Written September 10, 2009 by Hector Garza

clemson-georgia-tech-predictions-091009 Hello everyone and welcome to Hector Garza’s analysis of the upcoming #15 Georgia Tech vs. Clemson game. This is a fun one to break down in that we have, an ACC head to head battle in week 2 of college football! Both teams are coming off of the high of a 1st week victory and looking to add another notch on their belts. According to the college football lines, the Yellow Jackets are the favored by 5 ½ over the Tigers with the over/under being set for 42 points. For a limited time, if you sign up for a new account with BetUS, they will give you a $500 bonus on an initial deposit of $500 or more. Get your bonus now!

The Tigers air attack is going to need some help, as last week starting QB Kyle Parker (RFR) was 9-20 with only a 159 yards against a sub-par Middle Tennessee defense (there were also 4 dropped passes). The rushing game, however, looked strong as Clemson gained 202 yards on the ground with 147 of them coming from Jamie Harper (SO) and Andre Ellington (RFR). The special teams is what came up big for the tigers, with a kickoff return and punt return going the distance for 14 of the 35 points scored.

Clemson’s defense had a solid performance in week 1, but it was against a team that scored an avg. of 22.8 ppg in the 08’ regular season. One highlight they hope to continue are the 3 interceptions they were able to create. The defense will have to transition seamlessly from covering the spread last week to the run heavy option offense of GT. Stopping it is a must, as last year the Yellow Jackets gashed them for 207 rushing yards. Free safety DeAndre McDaniel (JR) has said that the defense geared much of preseason practice time specifically to the GT offense, and is confident they can neutralize the strong ground game.

With the reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year in Jonathan Dwyer (JR) returning, Georgia Tech is looking to pickup where they left off last year when they ranked 4th nationally in rushing yards/game at 273.2. Dwyer had 2 touchdowns and 95 yards last week on only 7 carries. One thing the offense will need to clean up to beat Clemson are the 5 fumbles they had, losing three of them in last week’s 37-17 win against Jacksonville State.

Defensively, the Tigers turn to safety Morgan Burnett and DE Derrick Morgan. Last year Burnett tied nationally for the lead in interceptions with 7, and got his first one for 2009 in last week’s game, while Morgan opened his season with 5 tackles, including two sacks, all while drawing double and triple teams. The Yellow Jackets are also looking to add to their success from last year, when they held Clemson’s rushing game to 51 yards!

This game could come down to special teams, as last year’s battle was decided by 4 points and both teams this year have already returned a punt for a touchdown. Clemson’s offense will need to improve on their abysmal 25% 3rd down conversion percentage from last year’s game and look to take advantage of what seems to be a turnover-prone 09’ Georgia Tech offense. This should be a great ACC clash, and I give Clemson the edge here, even though the game will be played on Yellow Jackets home turf.

Garza’s Pick: Clemson Tigers +5

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