By Will Vandervort.
Here is a look at all the top matchups for today’s No. 17 Clemson at No. 22 Georgia Tech game, which will kick off at noon on ESPN at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
Clemson’s defensive line vs. Georgia Tech’s dive play: If there was ever a defensive line made to stop the dive, it’s Clemson’s front four. Last year, the Tigers took away Tech’s dive play early as Grady Jarrett and DeShawn Williams helped take away the inside power play. Clemson also blitzed its linebackers and safeties into the A-gap to take away the dive. It also helps that Jarrett, Williams and Josh Watson all have experience against Tech’s triple-option attack. Tech had 10 carries for 28 yards from the dive or B-Back position in last year’s meeting. But Zach Laskey and Synjyn Days have rushed for 1,098 yards and eight touchdowns combined this year from the B-back position. Days has rushed for 414 yards and two touchdowns the last three games. Clemson has held opponents to 2.7 yards per carry. Advantage: Clemson
Mackensie Alexander vs. DeAndre Smelter: Smelter leads the ACC with 22.0 yards per catch and has six touchdowns this year and gives quarterback Justin Thomas a big target at 6-foot-3, 222 pounds. Alexander has had a great first season and has become a shutdown corner wherever he lines up. He seldom gets thrown on and has three passes broken up when he does. The advantage Smelter has is five inches and 30 pounds. Advantage: Georgia Tech
Clemson defense vs. QB Justin Thomas: Jarrett says the difference between this Georgia Tech offense and the offense the last two years is quarterback Justin Thomas. He makes the offense go as he does a good job hiding the ball on the dive, pitching it, running it or throwing it. He leads the Jackets with 781 yards and five touchdowns, while he has also thrown 14 touchdown passes. Clemson’s defense has been getting after the quarterback all year and has done a good job on dual threat quarterbacks, but Thomas is a runner first and he is hard to tackle. Advantage: Clemson
Deshaun Watson vs. Georgia Tech defense: Watson comes home and will start after having to sit the last three weeks with a broken finger. Before the injury, he had thrown for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns this year with only two interceptions. He also brings an added dimension in the running game. Mobile quarterbacks have hurt the Yellow Jackets this season in games against North Carolina, Duke and NC State. The Yellow Jackets also rank 13th in the ACC in total defense and passing defense. They’re also 10th in the conference in rushing defense. Advantage: Clemson
Smith’s replacement vs. Paul Johnson: You have to figure Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is going to try and attack the Clemson safeties with senior Robert Smith out due to his ejection from the Wake Forest game. Smith will miss the first two quarters today because of it and either Korrin Wiggins, T.J. Green or Jadar Johnson will get the start for Smith, a two-year starter. Smith has played against Georgia Tech the last three years and not only is he the secondary’s best tackler, but he is also one of the smartest and well prepared players on the team. Johnson has a knack for finding a weakness and exploiting it. Look for him to attack this area a lot in the first half, especially with the counter option in hopes of putting pressure on the Clemson defense. Advantage: Georgia Tech
Bottom line: This game is going to be tighter than some might like it to be. But I feel Georgia Tech’s offense is going to get theirs and Clemson’s defense is going to get its tackles for loss. They should cancel each other out. The difference in this game will be Deshaun Watson and the Clemson offense. I said last week I thought the offense had turned the corner and found itself without Watson being in the lineup. With him back in there, I expect the Tigers to be even more explosive than before, especially with Wayne Gallman stepping up in the running game. If the Tigers take care of the football, and I suspect they will, they will run through a Georgia Tech defense—that when you take away its ability to force turnovers—is not very good. Prediction: Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 24