Clemson/Georgia Tech Prediction

And now for something completely different...

In honor of College GameDay hosting this week's matchup between the Fighting Tigers and the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech, I have cordially invited ESPN's GameDay football analysts over to give us the breakdown. So without further ado, I'm turning the floor over to these fine folks - Mr. Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit. Take it away, gentlemen!





CHRIS: All right, folks! We here at ESPN College GameDay are coming to you live from the wide world of Blogger.com just before we hit the road for Bowman Field at Clemson University's Memorial Stadium. I'm your host, Chris Fowler, alongside my partners in crime Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. And folks, make no mistake, this visit has been a long time coming.

KIRK: I can't say enough good things about the Clemson Tigers, Chris. They have a run-first mentality, yet they are so balanced in every facet of the game. They are well-coached, Tommy Bowden's finally found the perfect system he's been looking for, the cupboard is stocked with athletes and experience...truly one of the finest teams I've seen this year.


LEE: Now hold on a second, Kirk! I agree with you 100%, but tell me, where did all this love come from? I believe it was you who said, Clemson against Texas A&M last year, if you get Clemson down early, they will quit. Jad Dean, last-second field goal, Clemson wins that game, they're on a roll this year. I think they made a believer out of you.

KIRK: Well, Lee, as a coach, you should know there are ways of motivating a football team to success. It's the coach's job to give his team the best possible chance to win, and as an analyst, all you've got to go on is what gets produced on the field of play. In the past, Clemson's had this knack for heart-stopping contests, these thrillers, games that would go right down to the wire. Problem is, so many of them turned into losses. Just last year, they had Miami, Boston College, and surprise surprise, Georgia Tech. What's different this year?

LEE: I'll tell ya what's different, Kirk. This Tiger team's got something last year's team didn't have. Know what that is? Killer instinct. Let me tell ya, this is not a team that plays down to its level of competition. No sir, these Tigers stomp opponents into submission and then kick 'em when they're down. Florida Atlantic, North Carolina, Louisiana Tech. Not-so-hot teams make you think you can sleepwalk your way through 'em? Not this day and age, baby. On any given day, the underdog can win, and Clemson knows it, they've been there, and now they're on the fast track to learning how to play like the hunted.

CHRIS: Well guys, take one look at the stats, and you can see the many levels of success the Clemson Tigers have had this year. They lead the nation in points per game and are ranked in the top 10 in both total offense and total defense. As for the ACC, it's a virtual laundry list. Clemson leads the conference in total offense, touchdowns, rushing offense, scoring offense, first downs, third-down conversions, sacks allowed, pass efficiency, total defense, pass efficiency defense, and QB sacks.



LEE: About the only thing that ain't so special is...pardon the pun...special teams!





CHRIS: Lee, come on, I expect better than that from you.




LEE: Fuggeddaboutit! Look, you let Temple of all teams run wild on your kickoff coverage, then I'm sorry, sweetheart, but your special teams are pee-yew pathetic! Linebackers getting blown off their lanes like dust mops, guys not knowing who to tackle over-pursue their blocks. It ain't good when the Temple Owls are not afraid to return kicks five yards deep in the endzone 'cuz they know Clemson can't stop 'em!


KIRK: If I'm not mistaken, Lee, it got so bad at one point against Wake Forest that Clemson started doing squib kicks every time they kicked off. And considering how often they tend to score, that's gotta weigh heavily on their defense to constantly face a short field.



CHRIS: So we know what Clemson's glaring weakness is. Probably every team, every assistant coach, and every kid with access to a PlayStation 2 knows about it. Let's go back to their strengths.



KIRK: What isn't a strength, Chris? Obviously, the rushing attack speaks for itself, they've got playmakers in James Davis and C.J. Spiller, who spurned his home state of Florida on signing day to join the Tigers. Could've heard a gator snap in that room. Davis, ACC Rookie of the Year in 2005, and now he's even stronger and reads his blocks so much better this year. And Spiller? Hot on his heels with 407 yards through seven games, and he gives Clemson that dual threat to catch a screen pass out of the backfield, as we saw with his 82-yard touchdown reception against Boston College.

LEE: Hey hey, not so fast, my friend! You can brag on the backs all you want, but let's not forget the hogmalies who really make the magic happen. That's the offensive line. Without that experience, that speed, that toughness, and the ability to get to the second level against that defensive front, I don't care how talented your tailback is, he's gonna get stuffed! Roman Fry, Barry Richardson, Marion Dukes, Dustin Fry, and Nathan Bennett. Guys on the O-line are the ones who spring the tailback by giving him those big, gaping holes to run through. They make the magic happen, but the back just makes it look easier.

KIRK: And just in case you're thinking about stuffing the box against the run, look out. Will Proctor, the QB, he can throw the football. The fifth-year senior who played benchwarmer to Charlie Whitehurst, now serving as backup to Phillip Rivers with the San Diego Chargers, had been patient and done whatever he could to help his team to victory. Now it's finally his turn to lead the offense, and he's met and surpassed all expectations. The receiving corps is shaky with playmakers like Chansi Stuckey and Rendrick Taylor injured, but he's got some sure-handed wideouts in Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham, and all-around speedster Jacoby Ford who are all a threat to get some big receptions. You must respect Clemson's passing attack as well as the run.

CHRIS: And how about the job that Vic Koenning has done with Clemson's defense? Early this year, folks were ready to write them off after losing starters Tramaine Billie and Anthony Waters at linebacker, and then lose Michael Hamlin, their starter at CAT safety, against BC. The Tiger D looked to be dead in the water. So far, it's been anything but. Vic Koenning has adjusted and said, okay boys, this is how it is, we've lost a few playmakers, but we're not missing a beat. Now they have Hamlin back, and they look to be more dangerous. Granted, they've played some soft competition, but I like what I'm seeing.

KIRK: Like you said, Chris, this visit has been a long time coming. If Clemson wants to establish itself as a frontrunner in the ACC as well as the BCS picture, winning games like this has to become the norm rather than the exception. They've got the tools to get the job done, they're in the running for the ACC crown, but today they've gotta go through unbeaten Georgia Tech.

LEE: Yo! My hat's off to Chan Gailey and his staff, to drop a close one to Notre Dame in the season opener and go on to win five straight games including a 38-27 dismantling of Virginia Tech - hey, weren't they supposed to be a good team this year? - speaks volumes about Georgia Tech's resilience, ability to bounce back after a tough loss. And here they are!

CHRIS: And a lot of that success can be attributed to John Tenuta, their defensive coordinator who's got his boys focused on stopping the run. Tommy Bowden complimented them earlier this week, saying his offense would be seriously challenged by Tenuta, and he's absolutely right. The Yellow Jackets rank seventh in the nation in stopping the run, giving up just 71.7 yards, and you're lucky if you ever get into a comfort zone against them because they come at you with so many different schemes, they pressure you, they stack the box with five, six guys; it's a big reason they were able to hold Clemson in check last year.

KIRK: Yeah, but Chris, you've gotta remember one thing. The X-Factor. James Davis. Injured his wrist last year, played only one snap, make no mistake, he's the difference-maker in this ballgame. Have the Jackets faced a back like Davis this year?



CHRIS: I don't think so, Kirk. They're going to have their hands full trying to contain him. Should be fun to watch.





LEE: Hey, and let's not forget, Georgia Tech has a dangerous offense as well. Senior QB Reggie Ball has come a long way from years past when he'd make rookie mistakes, throwin' the ball into double or triple coverage, trying to force the big play, And Kirk, you say Clemson's got an X Factor. Well, my friend, I hate to burst your bubble, but the Jackets have an X-Factor all their own and his name is Calvin Johnson. You can't say enough good things about his performance. He could be a dark horse for the Heisman Trophy this year. Yo! The kid can flat out play.

CHRIS: You might remember, and many Clemson fans would like to forget, that Johnson burst onto the scene back in 2004 when these teams played in Death Valley. Clemson's botched punt gave Tech the ball with 11 seconds left. Reggie Ball hit Johnson who outjumped Clemson's star corner Justin Miller for the touchdown grab to win the game for the Jackets, 28-24. Michael Hamlin, the safety, held him last year to four catches for 46 yards, so they might use a similar strategy this year.

KIRK: The Jackets lost their star running back P.J. Daniels to graduation, but this year Tashard Choice is showing he can be just as productive. 502 yards on the ground, averaging 84 yards per game, and six touchdowns. The Tigers must not overlook Tech's rushing attack because they can either run with Choice, or Reggie Ball can scramble out of the pocket and hurt them.



CHRIS: Okay, let's discuss the game itself. You never would've thought back in early September that Clemson and Georgia Tech would end up fighting it out for positioning in the ACC Championship race. The projected frontrunners have fallen by the wayside. As you remember, the Yellow Jackets stunned Virginia Tech, Florida State's had its setbacks, And Miami, wow, I tell you, they've all but vanished from the good graces of football. The biggest humiliation? Duke may actually give them a workout today.

LEE: *snicker*






CHRIS: Something funny, Coach?







LEE: Boy oh boy, wouldn't that be something, sweetheart, and Clemson would love nothing more than to lose that stigma as the last I-A team to be defeated by Duke. Sorry, Tiger fans, But fuggedaboutit, it ain't happenin' today. Miami rolls.




KIRK: Indeed Chris, this game could very well be a preview of what we'll see in the December contest in Jacksonville. Lots of interesting matchups to look for today. Here's what I think: Clemson got where they are because of a committment to power football. They have stuck to their strengths, spread the wealth between their talented backs - hey, let's not forget, they've got a senior tailback in Reggie Merriweather who rolled up 128 yards in last year's meeting, is always a threat to go the distance - and have forced defenses to compensate by stacking extra defenders to plug up the holes. Now not only does their offensive line win that battle, but once you relax on the coverage, that's when Will Proctor will beat you through the air. He's poised, he is accurate, and he knows how to be patient in the pocket. The one thing that concerns me? These teams play each other so close that it could very well come down to special teams. And as we all know, that's Clemson's sore spot. If they continue to give up big returns on kickoff coverage and defend a short field all night, Tech's going to hurt them. But as long as they keep the pressure on with the power running game and Proctor makes smart decisions throwing, I think Clemson pulls out the win.

CHRIS: You all know me, I'm the first one to look at the stats, compare the teams on paper and see how they match up, and stats-wise Clemson appears to have a clear advantage. Against Georgia Tech, you can throw the stats out the window. These two might have the nation's most underrated rivalry. From 1996 to 2001, each game was decided by exactly three points. nine of the last ten by five points. When the Tigers and the Jackets clash, sparks are gonna fly, big plays will come fast and hard, and I say it will come down to who wants it more at the end. Which young man is going to step up big for his squad? Will it be James Davis? Calvin Johnson? Or like in years past, will a new star be born tonight? With Reggie Ball's ability to make things happen and the multiple threat he represents with his ability to scramble, I say Georgia Tech is the last one standing.

KIRK: All right, Lee, it's the moment we've all been waiting for. What's Corso's pick?




LEE: Good teams are the teams that treat each game like it's the biggest game, whether it's Temple or Florida State. Good teams don't quit on defense after the playmakers on offense pour it on. Good teams know how to gameplan well enough to disguise their weaknesses and ensure that they won't be a factor in the outcome. Death Valley, sellout crowd, Homecoming, that extra incentive...my friends, I say the Clemson Tigers are a good team.





And that's why I'm pickin' the Tigers to win it!






KIRK: Hey, that head looks good on you, Coach. You want to try on my tie with that?





LEE: Ha ha! Don't push it, Kirk. Go Tigers!






CHRIS: All right, we have Corso's pick of the game. And that about wraps it up for this preview of ESPN College GameDay. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. Once again, I'm Chris Fowler, with Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, signing off! We'll see you live in Clemson, SC for Saturday's epic battle between the 12th ranked Clemson Tigers and the 13th ranked Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. You won't want to miss it. Until next time, so long, everybody!


Disclaimer: This blog entry is meant to be a parody and does not in any way reflect the opinions of Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN, or any other sports analyst. Regardless, I hope you got a nice laugh out of it.

Oh yeah, and in case anyone still wants my prediction...

Clemson 24
Ga. Tech 20