Georgia Tech vs. Clemson preview: Top-25 Battle in Atlanta

After demolishing N.C. State last weekend in Raleigh, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets come back home to host the 19th-ranked Clemson Tigers in a top-25 match-up at Bobby Stadium this week. At number 22 in the country, the Jackets are seemingly just as solid as the Tigers, but this is like the biggest challenge that Paul Johnson’s team has faced this season, and Clemson doubles as the first ranked opponent for Georgia Tech.

Opponent: Clemson Tigers

Time/TV: 12:00 pm ET, ESPN

Georgia Tech Offense vs. Clemson Defense

Georgia Tech’s offense against Clemson’s D is going to be the match-up to watch for sure. The Jackets come in with the number two rushing attack in the nation, while Clemson is rated as the second-best total defense in the country–allowing just 252 total yards per game.

The Tigers are fourth in rushing defense and fourth in passing yards allowed as well, showing a very balanced and talented defensive unit on paper.

The Georgia Bulldogs have scored the most points on this Tiger defense, dropping 45 in the first game of the season. North Carolina put up 35 against them a few weeks later, but other than those two games, the most a team has scored is 20 in a given match-up.

Vic Beasley is obviously the guy to look out for on the Clemson line, and the projected top-10 NFL Draft pick leads the team with 8 sacks this season.

Georgia Tech Defense vs. Clemson Offense

Clemson brings a fairly balanced offensive attack into this one, throwing the ball 339 times and rushing 381 times so far this season.

Their passing attack has been more effective however, ranking 22nd in the country as the Tigers average 290.2 passing yards per game. Clemson has three receivers–Mike Williams, Artavis Scott and Germone Hopper–who average more than 10 yards per catch, so there are multiple playmakers to watch out for.

Similarly, the rushing attack flows through many backs, not just one.

At quarterback, freshman Deshaun Watson is expected to get the start after missing three games with a broken bone in his throwing hand. Watson has a 186.9 passing rating and has thrown for 12  touchdowns to just two interceptions. He is completing 67 percent of his passes and throws for more than 10 yards per attempt.

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This is going to be a touch one for Georgia Tech, but the team has shown just how good it really is this season. Hopefully, the triple-option attack will limit the amount of damage that Beasley is able to do off of the line, but this entire defensive unit is the best Tech has seen all year.

Stay tuned for post-game coverage, and a live game thread that will open on Saturday morning. Check it out!