Clemson Football opens as a 2-score favorite over Georgia Tech
After losing their first game of the season against Syracuse, Clemson football looks to get back on track versus a physical Georgia Tech squad.
Coming into every season, Georgia Tech is overlooked due to their seemingly ancient offensive system. Paul Johnson has been running the flexbone spread option since his time with Georgia Southern in the early 1980’s.
While the flexbone attack has become outdated, it’s still wildly effective. Johnson has quietly won four Coastal Division titles and one ACC Championship (2009, which was later vacated) during his tenure in Atlanta.
Despite facing opponents with far superior recruiting classes, Johnson and the Yellow Jackets are always competitive in the ACC. Georgia Tech currently sits, 4-2 (3-1 ACC) with an opportunity to push for an ACC Championship birth.
If it weren’t for two close losses to Tennessee and Miami, the Yellow Jackets could be undefeated heading into week nine. Despite their strong showing thus far, Georgia Tech opens the week as 16 point underdogs against Clemson, according to SportsBookReview.com.
Thoughts
While, There is a possibility that Clemson comes out flat and this one turns into a slugfest, however, I do not see that happening.
The Tigers went into the bye week on the heels of a loss. This gave Dabo Swinney and company a week to iron out any issues and game-plan for the Yellow Jackets. It also gave Kelly Bryant a week to heal.
Clemson defensive coordinator, Brent Venables is one of the best in the business. He also has a roster full of elite defensive talent at his dispense. Judging from the Tigers’ subpar performance against Syracuse and Venables’ fiery competitiveness, this defense will show up against Georgia Tech. Last season, the Tigers traveled to Atlanta and held Johnson’s Yellow Jackets to just seven points and 124 yards of total offense.
Regardless of Kelly Bryant’s health, Clemson’s offense should be able to move the football against Tech. The Tigers have two of the most explosive backs in the country in Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne. After watching Miami’s Travis Homer rush for 170 yards and one touchdown versus the Yellow Jackets, there’s no doubt Clemson will be able to run the rock.
Next: ACC Standings Week 9: Clemson Controls its Own Destiny
Clemson football’s fall from grace in Syracuse, New York was just what the doctor ordered. The Tigers are now refocused and motivated to attack the back-half of their 2017 schedule.