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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Travel to Death Valley to Face #6 Clemson

By Jonathan Savitske

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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets face a must win game on Saturday as they travel to Death Valley to face off against DeShaun Watson and the No. 6 Clemson Tigers.

-= Related: Georgia Tech: ACC Coastal Power Rankings, Week 6 =-

THE MATCHUP:

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets enter the game having lost 3 consecutive contests, putting them at 0-2 in the ACC and with a 2-3 record. The preseason favorites to repeat as ACC Coastal Champions, their hopes of a second consecutive division championship are now on the brink following two losses to divisional opponents North Carolina and Duke.

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Ted Roof’s defense blew a 21-0 lead over the Tar Heels last Saturday, and the ejection of co-captain DT Adam Gotsis thinned the defensive line, allowing QB Marquise Williams and the UNC offense to mount a rally that ultimately resulted in a road victory for the visitors. Against one of the most prolific offenses in the country and a star QB in Watson, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets can ill afford any slip-ups with their season on the line.

The Clemson Tigers enter this contest at 5-0 following last week’s victory against previously ranked #6 Notre Dame at home. The Tigers held a 21-3 lead at one point, but had to hold off a Notre Dame comeback attempt to secure a victory. Clemson’s running game will be key against a porous Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ defense, as the Tigers ran for 199 yards last week against a good Notre Dame defense.

KEY PLAYERS:

Clemson Tigers:

DeShaun Watson, QB (Sophomore): Clemson’s dynamic field general is always dangerous, possessing a plethora of offensive weapons. Watson ran for 98 yards on 16 carries last week against Notre Dame, while throwing for 97 yards on 11/22 passing.

Wayne Gallman, RB (Sophomore): The Loganville, GA native led the Tigers with 98 rushing yards last week on 22 carries. The Tigers ran for almost 200 yards against one of the best run defenses in the country last Saturday against Notre Dame. Expect a big game from Gallman against a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ defense that has had difficulty stopping the run game over the past three weeks.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:

Justin Thomas, QB (Junior): Justin Thomas had a decent game last week against UNC, but the rest of the offense fell flat in the second half. Thomas will have to play the game of his life with Georgia Tech’s season hanging the balance on the road on Saturday. 

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Marcus Marshall, B-back (Freshman): The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ freshman B-back did not play last week against Notre Dame, but could see more playing time against Clemson. Since Tech’s opener against Alcorn State, Marshall has seen limited playing time — but given Georgia Tech’s recent struggles, Paul Johnson may be apt to shake up his offensive personnel.

Prediction:

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – 28, Clemson Tigers – 35

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will look more motivated and better on both sides of the ball on Saturday, but the hostile environment of Death Valley will prove too much for the Ramblin’ Wreck, as the defense will allow DeShaun Watson and the Clemson offense to rally after being down early. There is always a chance for an upset, given Clemson’s emotional victory over Notre Dame last week, but unlikely.

Next: Georgia Tech: 5 Players to Watch vs. Clemson

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