Georgia Tech (4-2, 3-1 ACC) at No. 7 Clemson (6-1, 4-1), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN2). Line: Clemson by 15 ½. Series record: Georgia Tech leads 51-29-2. WHAT’S AT STAKE Georgia Tech is hoping to take down a ranked opponent
Georgia Tech (4-2, 3-1 ACC) at No. 7 Clemson (6-1, 4-1), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN2).
Line: Clemson by 15 ½.
Series record: Georgia Tech leads 51-29-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Georgia Tech is hoping to take down a ranked opponent and keep itself in the ACC Coastal title chase while Clemson seeks to return to the winning track after its first loss of the season, 27-24, at Syracuse on Oct. 13.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense against Clemson’s defensive front. The Yellow Jackets, led by dynamic QB TaQuon Marshall lead the ACC in rushing at more than 372 yards a game. The Tigers and their front four of ends Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell and inside linemen Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant top the league with 27 sacks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia Tech: Marshall leads the Yellow Jackets with 704 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He’s also thrown for 456 yards and five TDs, without an interception.
Clemson: QB Kelly Bryant has left games early the past two times out, sitting after an ankle injury in the third quarter in a win over Wake Forest and leaving with a concussion in the second quarter in the loss to Syracuse. Bryant cleared the concussion protocol and says he’s ready to play against the Yellow Jackets. The Tigers are clearly a better offense with Bryant running the show.
FACTS & FIGURES
Clemson has a 13-6 mark over Georgia Tech at Death Valley, including the past four in the series. The Tigers last loss to the Yellow Jackets at home was in 2008, Dabo Swinney’s first game as head coach. … Clemson and Georgia Tech share a college football legacy as John Heisman, namesake of the trophy given to the game’s top player, coached at each school. … Clemson opened its kicking competition after Alex Spence missed twice at Syracuse. Backup Spence is dueling with Christian Groomes and Drew Costa for the starting spot. … Clemson is allowing 108 yards rushing a game, about a quarter of what Georgia Tech gains per contest this season. … The Yellow Jackets top the ACC at making 51.1 percent of their third down conversions.
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