Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated identified the Week 3 games “that could have long-lasting effects” on the season.

The matchup between No. 12 Clemson (1-1) and Georgia Tech (2-0) in Atlanta on Saturday is listed by Forde as one of this week’s “nemesis games” – or, as defined by Forde, a game where “one team has the other’s number … but it might be time for that to change.”

The Tigers have won nine games in a row against the Yellow Jackets. However, Forde made his pick for Saturday’s game, and he’s going with Georgia Tech to beat Clemson by a narrow margin of 23-22.

“The line on this game likely reflects the uncertain status of Tech QB Haynes King, who missed last week against Gardner-Webb in concussion protocol,” Forde wrote. “But backup Aaron Philo is also capable, and the differences between the two makes for a preparation headache for Clemson. If the Yellow Jackets stop with the turnovers (five in two games), they have what it takes to beat an underwhelming Tigers team.”

Clemson was a 9.5-point favorite over Georgia Tech in the offseason, but that spread has dropped to 3.5 points currently due to the Tigers’ struggles.

By virtue of the ACC adopting a divisionless format with altered protected rivalries, last season marked the first year since 1982 that Clemson and Georgia Tech did not face one another.

Clemson’s last road game at Georgia Tech was played at Mercedes Benz Stadium in 2022, so this year’s contest will mark Clemson’s first trip to Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2020, a game in which Trevor Lawrence threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns in a 73-7 win, the largest margin of victory in an ACC game in conference history.

Saturday’s game is set for a noon kickoff on ESPN. It is the ACC opener for both teams.

–Photo courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports