Georgia Tech: Three Keys to Defeat Clemson
By: GUEST BLOGGER Jeff from Ramblin Racket
1. Win the turnover battle
There are games where sloppiness will kill you, and this is one of them. Outside of Clemson's more dominant rushing game (24 rushing TDs to GT's 10), Clemson and Georgia Tech are very similar teams. Tech has a 10-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio; Clemson's is 12-5. Defensively, the numbers are strikingly close. Clemson has allowed 2.22 yards per carry; Tech has allowed 2.42. Both teams have seven picks and have allowed four passing touchdowns. Both teams have allowed seven field goals scored. Both have allowed one TD on a kickoff return. Both teams have allowed less than four yards per punt return. Need I go on? The point is, with heavily comparable teams, turnovers can be deadly. Clemson has fumbled more times than Tech (19 vs. 8) and lost more (10 vs. 2), but has also forced (19 vs. 9) and recovered (12 vs. 5) more fumbles than the Ramblin' Wreck. Whichever team forces more turnovers has a GREAT chance at the win.
2. Shut down the run
As mentioned, Clemson's running game is dominant, and accounts for average 24 points per game. The Tigers scored SIX rushing TDs versus Temple, and SEVEN versus North Carolina. Not only does Tech need to shut down the run to prevent points, but also to force turnovers (see above). By forcing Clemson to pass, and by successfully pressuring Will Proctor, Wake Forest forced three picks in their almost-kinda-near-upset of the Tigers.
Luckily, Jon Tenuta Georgia Tech defensive coordinator) is one of the most successful blitz-happy guys in the country. Tech has allowed 100 yards rushing only twice on the season Notre Dame & Troy), but Clemson has rushed for under 200 yards only THREE TIMES this season.
3. Quiet the crowd early
Playing under the lights at Death Valley is a hostile environment; maybe the most hostile in the ACC behind Doak Campbell Stadium (if you've never been to an FSU game, in the middle of 80-some thousand people doing the Chop, let me tell you, it is INSANE). At Virginia Tech (the only away game to date), GT did about as well you can at shutting up a crowd. If the Ramblin' Wreck can do the same in this game, and get to a several touchdown lead early, this game will be much, much easier.
Mind you, one shouldn't expect Tech to shoot to a 21-point lead. Tech should make every effort to score first, and receive the kickoff if they win the coin toss. I believe this Yellow Jacket team has the character to come from behind typically, but maybe not in a place like Clemson, with crazy drunk rednecks yelling at you. If Tech keeps it close, we can probably bring it back at the end of the game (a la GT/Clemson 2004). If Clemson gets a lead of two TDs or more, this game is likely over.
1. Win the turnover battle
There are games where sloppiness will kill you, and this is one of them. Outside of Clemson's more dominant rushing game (24 rushing TDs to GT's 10), Clemson and Georgia Tech are very similar teams. Tech has a 10-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio; Clemson's is 12-5. Defensively, the numbers are strikingly close. Clemson has allowed 2.22 yards per carry; Tech has allowed 2.42. Both teams have seven picks and have allowed four passing touchdowns. Both teams have allowed seven field goals scored. Both have allowed one TD on a kickoff return. Both teams have allowed less than four yards per punt return. Need I go on? The point is, with heavily comparable teams, turnovers can be deadly. Clemson has fumbled more times than Tech (19 vs. 8) and lost more (10 vs. 2), but has also forced (19 vs. 9) and recovered (12 vs. 5) more fumbles than the Ramblin' Wreck. Whichever team forces more turnovers has a GREAT chance at the win.
2. Shut down the run
As mentioned, Clemson's running game is dominant, and accounts for average 24 points per game. The Tigers scored SIX rushing TDs versus Temple, and SEVEN versus North Carolina. Not only does Tech need to shut down the run to prevent points, but also to force turnovers (see above). By forcing Clemson to pass, and by successfully pressuring Will Proctor, Wake Forest forced three picks in their almost-kinda-near-upset of the Tigers.
Luckily, Jon Tenuta Georgia Tech defensive coordinator) is one of the most successful blitz-happy guys in the country. Tech has allowed 100 yards rushing only twice on the season Notre Dame & Troy), but Clemson has rushed for under 200 yards only THREE TIMES this season.
3. Quiet the crowd early
Playing under the lights at Death Valley is a hostile environment; maybe the most hostile in the ACC behind Doak Campbell Stadium (if you've never been to an FSU game, in the middle of 80-some thousand people doing the Chop, let me tell you, it is INSANE). At Virginia Tech (the only away game to date), GT did about as well you can at shutting up a crowd. If the Ramblin' Wreck can do the same in this game, and get to a several touchdown lead early, this game will be much, much easier.
Mind you, one shouldn't expect Tech to shoot to a 21-point lead. Tech should make every effort to score first, and receive the kickoff if they win the coin toss. I believe this Yellow Jacket team has the character to come from behind typically, but maybe not in a place like Clemson, with crazy drunk rednecks yelling at you. If Tech keeps it close, we can probably bring it back at the end of the game (a la GT/Clemson 2004). If Clemson gets a lead of two TDs or more, this game is likely over.
posted by NCAA Football at 11:25 AM
2 Comments:
Clemson fans, we want to hear from you! What do you think the 3 keys to beating Georgia Tech are? Any Clemson bloggers want to counter? Shoot me an e-mail & let me know.
I believe you mean Clempsun "bogger," a term used to reference those living in or around a marshy area, typically in a shack without running water or electricity.
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