The Yellow Jacket's are certainly feeling the loss of BeBe Thomas in thier passing attack and have thrown for almost 47 less yards per contest in 2010 compared to 2009. Stephen Hill although a solid WR just isn't the big play threat that Thomas was last season. Georgia Tech has also looked more sloppy offensively committing almost a half a turnover more per game. However don't be fooled into thinking the Jackets have taken a big step back and the Tech still has a potent offense that is capable of chewing up yardage on the ground and putting points on the board.
| Georgia Tech | 2009 | 2010 | NET +/- | '10 NCAA Rank | 10' ACC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense | 295.43 | 328.14 | 32.71 | 2 | 1 |
| Passing Offense | 126.71 | 85.00 | -41.71 | 119 | 12 |
| Total Offense | 422.14 | 413.14 | -9.00 | 44 | 4 |
| Scoring Offense | 33.79 | 31.86 | -1.93 | 41 | 4 |
| TOP | 33:49 | 31:46 | 2:03 | 22 | 2 |
| TO Per Game | 1.29 | 1.74 | .45 |
The Tigers enter the game at 3-3 (1-2), but have struggled offensively since putting up 110 points in the first 10 quarters of play. Since then Dabo Swinney's Tigers have managing only 75 points (including 14 off defense and special teams) in the last 14 quarters. Against ACC play the Tiger's have struggled averaging only 276 yards and 18 offensive points per game.
These offensive issues this season are two fold. The passing game has been frustrating with Kyle Parker completing only 51% of his passes for 162 yards per game. Parker's accuracy has been off while also having trouble with his progressions and has missed a number of chances to find open receivers. The receivers have also struggled to create separation and get open and have dropped the ball with alarming frequency. To make matters worse the offense has yet to find an identity this season flip-flopping between trying to pound the ball with the power running game and trying to throw the ball out of three and four wide receiver sets. The offensive game plan and play calling has been questionable especially against UNC.
The lack of a passing game has resulted in teams loading the box, which has negatively impacted our running game. The running game in general has looked strong when Andre Ellington is in the game toting the rock, but the yardage has been harder to come by recently with opposing defenses stacking the box. The offense should benefit from the return of leading receiver DeAndre Hopkins who missed the Maryland game with an injury.
| Clemson | 2009 | 2010 | NET +/- | '10 NCAA Rank | 10' ACC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense | 170.36 | 165.33 | -5.03 | 46 | 5 |
| Passing Offense | 192.00 | 180.00 | -12.00 | 89 | 10 |
| Total Offense | 362.36 | 345.33 | -17.03 | 80 | 10 |
| Scoring Offense | 31.14 | 30.83 | -0.31 | 45 | 5 |
| TOP | 28:04 | 28:14 | 0:10 | 94 | 8 |
| TO Per Game | 1.71 | 1.33 | -0.38 |
Georgia Tech statistically is actually slightly better than the 2009 version, but again GT has benefited from a fairly easy schedule that makes their statistics look better than their performance. The Jackets switched to the 3-4 defense under new-DC Al Groh and have not looked that comfortable especially early when the Jacket's were gashed by Kansas and NCSU in losses. The Jackets weakness is up the middle and teams have shown the ability to running right at them. This should coincide with Clemson offensive strength, which bodes well for the Tigers if Clemson commits to running the ball. Recently, Georgia Tech has looked a little better defensively, but the opponents that GT has faced in those games are not good football teams.
| Georgia Tech | 2009 | 2010 | NET +/- | '10 NCAA Rank | 10' ACC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Defense | 151.64 | 151.74 | 0.10 | 65 | 7 |
| Passing Defense | 208.64 | 195.57 | -13.07 | 42 | 4 |
| Total Defense | 360.28 | 347.31 | -12.97 | 45 | 5 |
| Scoring Defense | 24.79 | 23.14 | -1.65 | 55 | 7 |
| TO Per Game | 1.85 | 1.86 | 0.01 |
The Tiger's were projected by many pundits to be improved defensively. The Tiger's returned a talented group of players with a strength in the trenches and were entering the second year of Kevin Steele’s scheme. To this point the pundits have been wrong as the Tiger’s have been slightly worse defensively. The primary culprit has been big plays in the passing game resulting in the team given up over 50 more yards per game through the air. The play of the inexperienced linebackers has been poor with the backer repeatedly taking bad pursuit angles, filling the wrong gap and getting lost in coverage. The good news is that the defense under Steele has played much better the last two weeks giving up an average of 303 yards and 14 points per game and appears to be headed in the right direction.
| Clemson | 2009 | 2010 | NET +/- | '10 NCAA Rank | 10' ACC Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Defense | 151.50 | 143.33 | -8.17 | 55 | 4 |
| Passing Defense | 162.79 | 214.33 | 51.54 | 67 | 9 |
| Total Defense | 314.29 | 357.66 | 43.37 | 55 | 9 |
| Scoring Defense | 20.43 | 19.33 | -1.10 | 29 | 2 |
| TO Per Game | 2.14 | 2.00 | 0.14 |
Closing Thoughts
The much anticipated rematch of the 2009 ACC Championship Game has lost a little of its preseason luster with both teams failing to live up to their preseason hype, but it is still a rivalry game that both teams badly want and need to win. The game looks to be in the vein of almost every game in this series and be another down to the wire nail bitter.
Georgia Tech should continue to put up points on the Tigers especially with the Tiger's weakness at LBer, but I think the Tigers are going to be better prepared and respond with a handful of stops. Conversely, I don’t expect the Tiger’s to conjure up another offensive performance like the one that Clemson and C.J. Spiller put up last December; however Clemson should exploit Tech by pounding the rock and score with more frequency than in recent weeks.
My key to the game is limiting the amount of passes that Parker throws while forcing Nesbitt to throw the football. If Clemson throws the ball over 40 times Clemson will be hard pressed to escape with a win on the other hand if Georgia Tech throws the ball over 20 times it bodes really well for the Tiger’s chances. Clemson needs to pound the football and pick their spots to throw while forcing Tech out of their comfort zone by forcing them into passing situations.
Ultimately, I like the Tigers to end the 4 game skid against GT and pull out a close victory.
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