Clemson invades G-Tech
By AllStar.com
Clemson (1-0) At #13 Georgia Tech (1-0)
Georgia Tech will host Clemson on ESPN Thursday Night Football. Georgia Tech has won 4 of last 5 from Clemson. The Clemson vs. Georgia Tech series has been the most competitive series in the ACC over the last 13 years. Ten of the last 13 games have been decided by five points or less, including a six-game streak between 1996-01 in which every game was decided by exactly three points. That might be a first in college football history. We aren't talking by three points or less, but exactly three points. Last year's game was a 21-17 Georgia Tech win in Dabo Swinney’s first game as Clemson head coach.
Offensively:
Georgia Tech returns nine offensive players who made at least seven starts for a team that ranked fourth in the nation at 273.2 yards rushing. The Yellow Jackets had 497 Total Yards of Offense vs. Jacksonville State last Saturday.
Clemson features a seasoned offensive line and one of the best overall Running backs in the nation in C.J. Spiller. Clemson is young at the skill positions and has no real know playmakers other than Spiller.
Edge Georgia Tech
Quarterbacks:
Josh Nesbitt rushed for 893 yards and seven touchdowns but he only completed 44% of his passes and threw five interceptions with only two touchdown passes last season.
Kyle Parker, the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener since 1945. Parker finished 9 of 20 for 159 yards, two TDs and no interceptions against Middle Tennessee in the opener.
Edge Georgia Tech
Running Backs:
The Rambling Wreck are led by Jonathan Dwyer who rushed for 1,395 yards and 12 touchdowns last year while gaining nearly seven yards per carry. Rocky Jones is the back up and he rushed for 697 yards last season including a 214 yard game against Georgia.
C.J. Spiller is one of the nation’s top multipurpose threats and he took the opening kickoff 97 yards for a TD last weekend against Middle Tennessee. In 2006 against Georgia Tech. Spiller had a 50-yard run and a 50-yard reception, the first player in Clemson history to get one of each from at least 50 yards in the same game.
Edge Clemson
Wide Receivers:
Demaryius Thomas was responsible for 52.7 of Tech’s catches and 48.6 of Tech’s receiving yards in 2008 with 39 catches and 627 yards. He is joined by Marcus Wright.
The Tigers return the speedy Jacoby Ford who caught 55 passes for 710 yards and four touchdowns. Ford is a breakaway threat at all times.
Edge Push
Offensive Lines:
Both teams return all five starters and the OL is their strengths as running teams.
Edge Push
Defenses:
Tech placed in the nation’s top 20 in sacks and tackles for losses last season, but the Jackets could struggle with only DE Derrick Morgan returning up front. The losses up front will put more pressure on a secondary that may be able to handle it SS Morgan Burnett is an All American candidate and one of three returning starters for a secondary that had 18 interceptions last season. Tech also has four linebackers returning who have multiple starts in the career.
Clemson returns eight starters from a defense that ranked 13th in the nation in scoring defense and 18th in total defense. The Tigers have a dangerous pass rush with Ricky Sapp, Da’Quan Bowers and Kevin Alexander. Clemson’s returning linebackers combined for 212 tackles last season and cornerbacks Chris Chancellor and Crezdon Butler are ALL-ACC. The biggest addition to the defense will be Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele who comes over from Alabama. This is a very aggressive unit and with Tech’s history of passing problems it should make for a great match up.
Edge Clemson
Special Teams:
Scott Blair handled the kicking and punting last season and he returns for the 2009 season. Blair connected on just 12 of 19 field goals attempts and missed all tries from over 40 yards. He averaged 39.9 yards per punt. Tech continued to struggle in the spring with it kicking.
Clemson kicker Richard Jackson was 3-5 on field goal attempts missing two 45 yard attempts last weekend. Jackson converted all extra points and accounted for 13 points Against Middle Tennessee, C.J. Spiller returned the opening kick 97 yards for a TD.
Edge Clemson
Georgia Tech has a 47-24-2 lead in the series with Clemson dating back to a 23-0 Tiger win in Augusta, GA in 1898
Betting Trends:
Clemson is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
GT is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games against
Clemson The UNDER is 11-4 in Clemson’s last 15 games
The UNDER is 4-0 in the last 4 games between the two teams
Game of the Day: Clemson at Georgia Tech
By Matt Fargo
Clemson Tigers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-5, 42.5)
Line Movement
Georgia Tech opened at -4.5 and this line has been moving in the last few days. It jumped to -5.5 in some places Tuesday morning but eventually climbed back down to the original number by late afternoon. As of Wednesday morning, the Yellow Jackets had moved back up to -5-point favorites.
The total opened at 41 and has climbed slightly to 42.5.
Injuries
There are no major injuries on either side but some players could miss time. For the Yellow Jackets, linebacker Kyle Jackson and wide receiver Tyler Melton, both projected sophomore starters, did not play last week and are doubtful again this week. For Clemson, running back C.J. Spiller had to leave last week’s game against Middle Tennessee with a hamstring injury but is probable this week.
Weather
The game-time forecast calls for a high of 77 degrees with a 35 percent chance of a thunderstorm.
National exposure
Last season, Thursday night was a cash cow for the home teams that were featured on ESPN primetime.
During the 15 weeks of the regular season, the home team went 12-3 straight up and 12-3 ATS on Thursday. Those records are more coincidental than anything and they have nothing to do with this matchup but going contrarian last season (going against the public betting the home teams) would have put one in the poorhouse. This will balance out more in 2009.
Underachievers to overachievers?
Clemson is one of the biggest underachieving teams in recent years. The Tigers have not had a losing season since 1998 and they have gone to seven bowl games since then, but none have been any major bowl games.
Their last big January bowl game came way back in the 1982 Orange Bowl. There isn’t a whole lot expected this season, so maybe with no pressure, good things can happen. Clemson is projected by some to be the sleeper team in the ACC Atlantic.
Battle in the trenches
According to preseason previews, the Tigers possess the seventh-best offensive line and the third-best defensive line in the nation. And that is where games are won and lost.
The Yellow Jackets are not as strong along the defensive line, so Clemson could take advantage with tough back C.J. Spiller. Georgia Tech’s offensive line is in the top half of the ACC and along with the best backfield, the running game should be just fine against the stout Tigers.
Special teams
Clemson won the yardage battle against the Blue Raiders last week by just 62 total yards. But the Tigers still won comfortably thanks to special teams.
Clemson returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and it also returned a punt for a touchdown late in the second quarter. Not to be outdone, Georgia Tech also returned a punt for a touchdown against Jacksonville State.
Special teams could play a big part in this game, especially if the line of scrimmage strengths hold up.
ACC Showdown
Sportsbook.com
Georgia Tech and Clemson – Watch the Dog
This ACC encounter starts week two of the college football campaign and it has the potential to be a good one. If history is any indication, bettors should be loading up on Clemson, as underdogs have dominated the head-to-head series between the Tigers and Yellow Jackets. Currently, Sportsbook.com has Clemson as 5 ½ point dogs.
In week 1, Georgia Tech manhandled Jacksonville State 37-17, while Clemson covered the spread against Middle Tennessee State 37-14. The Yellow Jackets are getting love in Southern circles with their 16 returning starters.
Forget any talk about coach Paul Johnson’s triple option offense won’t work against better athletes. It’s not as if Johnson is recruiting the same level of player he could at Navy. Georgia Tech should be plenty explosive in its second year of this offense, with Josh Nesbitt running the show. The offensive backfield will be as good as any in the ACC and if Nesbitt becomes a better passer, watch out! The Jackets however are just 6-5 ATS as ACC home favorites the last three years.
Dabo Swinney got on the job training last season as interim head coach and his enthusiasm ignited Clemson to win four of their last five regular season games. Coach Swinney hopes Kyle Parker steps up as his choice at quarterback. Parker has a good arm and is fairly mobile, with his backup Willy Korn the more elusive runner with a weaker arm. If the offensive line produces as expected, running back C.J. Spiller should have a huge season. Spiller is a constant home run threat, but will stick his helmet into the pile to pick up a few yards for a club that is 16-8 ATS as ACC single digit dog.
Sportsbook.com has Georgia Tech as 5.5-point favorite with total at 42. This will be a “Whiteout” contest for the Yellow Jackets, with fans in white t-shirts at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Nesbitt will have to do a better job of hanging onto the ball after a pair of fumbles last week. The Jackets are 16-5 ATS in the first two weeks of the season and 18-5 UNDER when playing on a Thursday. Clemson is 6-1 ATS as road underdogs and is 7-1 UNDER playing on the day before Friday.
This is a wacky series, with the underdog 17-3 against the spread. Clemson is in a revenge spot, losing 21-17 at home as 2.5-point favorites last season in what was coach Swinney’s first game as Tigers coach. The road team is 7-3 ATS in this hotly contested series.
ESPN will televise this frantic ACC encounter, with kickoff set for around 7:45 Eastern.
Clemson (1-0 SU and ATS) at (15) Georgia Tech (1-0, 0-0 ATS)
Two teams coming off blowout victories to open the 2009 campaign square off in a key early-season ACC clash, with the 15th-ranked Yellow Jackets hosting Clemson at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Star running back CJ Spiller ran back the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and the Tigers rushed for 202 yards en route to Saturday’s 37-14 rout of Middle Tennessee State, getting the money as an 18½-point home favorite. Going back to last season, Clemson is on a 5-2 SU and ATS run (5-1 SU and ATS in the regular season), and the winner has cashed in each of the team’s last 10 lined games.
Georgia Tech had little trouble with Jacksonville State on Saturday, cruising to a 37-17 victory in a non-lined home game. The Yellow Jackets finished with a 497-291 edge in total offense (335-98 on the ground), but they had five fumbles (three lost). Georgia Tech is 10-3 SU in the regular season since coach Paul Johnson took over before last year (7-2-1 ATS in lined games), scoring at least 31 points in its last four victories.
Going back to 2004, Georgia Tech is on a 4-1 run in this rivalry (3-2 ATS), including last year’s 21-17 victory as a two-point road chalk, which Clemson played several days after then-coach Tommy Bowden resigned. The visitor is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings, and despite the Yellow Jackets’ triumph last season, the underdog is still 17-3 ATS in the last 20 series clashes.
Georgia Tech finished tied for first with Virginia Tech in the ACC Coastal Division last year, going 5-3 SU and 5-2-1 ATS, including 3-1 at home (2-1-1 ATS). Clemson split its eight conference contests in 2008 (3-5 ATS), going 2-2 SU and ATS on the road.
The Tigers carry various positive and negative ATS trends, including 2-8 against winning teams and 3-8 on Thursday, but 16-5 as an underdog, 6-1 as a road pup and 7-1 when catching between 3½ and 10 points. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets are on pointspread swings of 4-0 in September, but 3-7-2 as a home favorite.
The “under” has been the play in the last four Georgia Tech-Clemson meetings. Additionally, the “under” is on runs for the Yellow Jackets of 6-2 in ACC action, 5-2 in Septembers, 15-5 on Thursday and 7-1 after a SU victory. Finally, the Tigers carry “under” trends of 11-4 overall, 7-2 in conference, 7-1 on Thursday and 6-2 after a victory.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Gametimepicks.com
NCAAF
Week 2
Georgia Tech won four of last five games vs Clemson, winning last two at this site, 10-9/13-3; average total in last four series games, 27.8. Tech covered just one of last seven as a favorite vs Clemson. Tigers ran ball 56 times for just 85 yards in last two series games; they're -7 in turnovers in last four meetings. Clemson was just 9-21 passing last week vs Middle Tennessee (37-14 win), but had 202 rushing yards, 159 in air. Tech beat up on I-AA Jacksonville State last week, running ball for 335 yards.
Clemson at Georgia Tech
By Christian Alexander
Clemson (1-0, 0-0 ACC) at #15 Georgia Tech (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field (Natural Grass)
Sports.com Line: Georgia Tech -5.5, O/U 43
Opening night last Thursday went about as well for me as it did for Boise State’s Byron Hout, who was on the receiving end of a vicious right cross from Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount. Actually, that analogy doesn’t really work considering Hout and the Broncos won the game. Me? I didn’t win either of my games last Thursday and went to bed feeling like I had been decked by Mike Tyson. Not a great way to start the year.
That said, the great thing about sports is redemption is only a game, or two, away. So let’s turn the page on last Thursday take a look at this week’s game.
Both Clemson and Georgia Tech opened the 2009 season with a couple of cupcakes, the Tigers dumping Middle Tennessee State 37-14 and Georgia Tech handling Jacksonville State 37-17. The star running backs for both teams – Clemson’s C.J. Spiller and Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer – got in on the action right away. Spiller took the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown while Dwyer scored on the first play from scrimmage against the Gamecocks, taking an option pitch 74 yards for a touchdown.
Spiller would later tweak his hamstring in the second quarter but all reports are that the a Heisman Trophy hopeful will be 100% for this game. Dwyer, who is also hoping to be considered for the Heisman, ended the day with 109 of the Jacket’s 335 rushing yards.
Rest assured, both teams will face a considerable upgrade in competition this week.
For the home team, it all begins and ends with a vaunted rushing attack. G-Tech coach Paul Johnson has proven that he could take the unique triple option offensive system that was so successful at Navy and implement it at the next level of college football.
Dwyer, who needs just 74 more yards to become the 10th player in Tech history to run for 2,000, combines with fellow RB Roddy Jones to give the Ramblin’ Wreck a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield. QB Josh Nesbitt is a dual threat who can definitely burn a defense with his arm if they focus too much on the ground game.
Last year Nesbitt found WR Demaryius Thomas from 24 yards out with just 5:22 remaining to lead Georgia Tech to a 21-17 win at Death Valley as a slight favorite. Thomas is back this year and already off to a nice start as the 6-3 receiver went for over 100 yards against Jacksonville State.
On defense, the Jackets are led by All-American candidates DE Derrick Morgan and S Morgan Burnett, who will undoubtedly have one eye on the dangerous Spiller all night.
With all the focus on his star running back, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney knows his team will have to get contributions from other pieces of the offense to be successful. If Clemson hopes to win, some of those contributions will have to come from a star on the Tigers baseball team.
QB Kyle Parker is the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener at Clemson since 1945 and also just happens to be an all-ACC outfielder for the Tigers. Parker’s main target will be the dangerous WR Jacoby Ford, who is also a standout on the track team, as is Spiller.
Unlike Georgia Tech, where the focus is on offense, this Clemson team will only go as far as their defense takes them in 2009. The Clemson defense has been retooled as Vic Koenning is gone as the defensive coordinator, replaced by Kevin Steele who was most recently the d-coordinator at Alabama.
Last season this unit was fifth in the ACC in rush defense at 127.4 yards per game and did a serviceable job against the Yellow Jackets rush attack, limiting Dwyer and company to 207 yards on the ground, 66 under their season average.
Overall, Georgia Tech leads the ACC in returning starters with 10 on offense and 8 on defense while Clemson returns 7 on offense and 8 on defense.
Georgia Tech has won four of the last five against Clemson and leads the all-time series between these two schools with a 47-24-2 record. That said, it hasn’t been easy as the last 13 meetings, 10 have been decided by five points or fewer and from 1996-2001, all six games were decided by three points.
Georgia Tech is planning to stage a "Whiteout" for this Thursday’s game on ESPN. The last time they called for their fanbase to create a “Whiteout” the team responded by crushing Miami, 41-23.
Tips and Trends
Clemson at Georgia Tech
Clemson: The key for Clemson could be if its excellent run defense can contain Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. The Tigers ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference last year in rush defense at 127.4 yards per game. The Tigers limited Middle Tennessee to 92 yards on the ground in 37 attempts, a 2.4 yard average, in a 37-14 opening week victory. The Tigers’ star all-purpose runner C.J. Spiller got Clemson started with a 96-yard kickoff return. Spiller, though, tweaked his hamstring during a second-quarter 50-yard punt return and sat out the rest of the game. He is expected to play. Spiller missed last year’s 21-17 loss to Georgia Tech because of an injured hamstring. Kyle Parker became Clemson’s first freshman quarterback to start a season-opener since 1945. Parker was 9-for-20 for 159 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The underdog has covered 12 of the last 14 in the series.
Clemson is 16-5 ATS the past 21 times it has been an underdog.
The Under has cashed in 11 of Clemson’s last 15 games.
Key Injuries - Running back C.J. Spiller (hamstring) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 20 (Side of the Day)
Georgia Tech (-5, O/U 43): Georgia Tech is the front-runner for the ACC Coastal Division title along with Virginia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets weren’t especially sharp in their opening 37-17 win against Jacksonville State. Georgia Tech fumbled five times and dropped several passes. Running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt combined to rush for 188 yards on 21 attempts and three touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets piled up 497 yards, 335 on the ground. Georgia Tech has a deep running crop so the matchup sets up as strength (Clemson’s run defense) versus strength (Georgia Tech’s running attack). The Yellow Jackets’ Paul Johnson is one of the most respected coaches with his teams compiling a 44-24 against-the-spread mark during his past 68 games against lined opponents. The Yellow Jackets are 7-3-1 against the spread in their last 11 games. However, they have failed to cover in four of their last five home games versus Clemson.
The Under is 15-5 during Georgia Tech’s past 20 Thursday games.
The Under is 6-2 in the Yellow Jackets’ last eight ACC contests.
Key Injuries - Running back Roddy Jones (wrist) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 24