Clemson vs Georgia Tech: Q&A with Yellow Jacked Up
With the Clemson vs Georgia Tech game just a day away, I had the chance to interview Wesley Morton, editor of Yellow Jacked Up.
I had the opportunity to preview the Clemson vs Georgia Tech game with Wesley Morton, editor of Yellow Jacked Up, FanSided’s Ramblin’ Wreck website.
Check out the interview below.
Q. This is one of the biggest rivalries in ACC football. What are your thoughts on this series’ history?
Wesley: Georgia Tech and Clemson have been among the class of the ACC the last decade and are close geographic rivals. It’s a fun classy rivalry somewhat unlike our respective rivalries with in-state SEC teams. National rankings seem to go out the window when these games happen and no upset is truly an upset. Georgia Tech has had Clemson’s number all time but the Tigers have flirted with National Championship aspirations recently, making Tech a recent afterthought in this series. Typically the home team comes out victorious but you never know with Clemson coming off an emotional win against Notre Dame this year. One thing we do know is both teams will put up points.
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Q. Georgia Tech runs that option attack. What are the keys to getting it to work against Clemson’s defense?
Wesley: First, there has to be better push up the middle. The B-backs have gotten stuffed in big situations, around the goal line and on 3rd and 4th and short. Tech’s offensive line has to find a way to neutralize the dominant Clemson front four. Second, Georgia Tech will have to keep the Tigers off balance with some early down passing. It has never been a forte of this team, certainly not this year, but it’s the only way to keep the Tigers defense honest and open holes to run for all four quarters.
Q. Who are some players that we may not know about, but will make an impact on the game?
Wesley: Patrick Skov is our starting B-back and a graduate fullback transfer from Stanford. While the transition hasn’t been seamless, he’s provided some power by fighting for every single yard. He won’t show much breakaway explosiveness but all those 4 yard runs tends to wear teams down by the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Ricky Jeune has more than twice the receiving yards than any other Jacket. He’s 6’3″ and locates the ball well in the air. Tech doesn’t throw a ton of course but when they do, they look to find him one-on-one down the field. On defense, D.J. White is a shutdown corner. He has great closing speed and sound instincts.
Q. How have injuries plagued the Yellow Jacket’s season in your opinion to this point?
Wesley: Injuries have taken begun to take its toll just five games into the season. Our top two A-backs will probably be out for this game, as well as our backup QB and goal line package member Tim Byerly. There has been injuries to the defensive depth as well, so the starters have had to log a lot of minutes. These injuries have forced many freshmen into big roles and is part of the reason Tech blew a 21 point lead to UNC and sits at 2-3.
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Q. What are some strengths/weaknesses you see for both teams in this match up?
Wesley: Clemson’s strength is its athleticism all over the field. Tech’s defense has been susceptible to explosive plays, so I expect Deshaun Watson and his array of weapons to find openings all game long. One thing Tech has going for them is that there is nothing to lose and they have pulled off a big upset in this situation before. Tech has had a very disappointing season but they always get up for big rivalry games. They pulled an upset over Clemson in this situation as an unranked team over the 5th ranked and unbeaten Tigers in 2011 and the triple/spread option offense has recently been pretty successful against the Tigers. A loss to the #6 team this year won’t hurt Tech that much.
Q. What are your predictions for this game?
Wesley: I think Tech can hang in there for a half, possibly even lead Clemson at halftime, but their lack of depth and injuries will force them to fade late in the game. Clemson over Georgia Tech, 34-24.
I would like to thank Wesley Morton for his time and wish him well. Make sure you check out Yellow Jacked up for all things Georgia Tech.