My thoughts thus far, ACC contender/pretender, battle in the trenches:
The times and weeks for Yellow Jackets fans suffering from their team's mediocrity were over when some equally mediocre kid named Taylor Bennett transferred to some medial college. And even though Reggie Ball won a Bowl game during his tenure, he was far from being NFL material. Granted, the combination of Reggie Ball and Taylor Bennett did earn Tech a winning season 2 seasons ago, GA Tech fans knew the real talent was the team's defense.
And 2 seasons ago when Clemson were in town, Taylor Bennett beat the Tigers 13-3. Let me rephrase that: The Yellow Jackets defense beat Clemson 13-3.
Last year, GA Tech went to Frank Howard Field and beat Clemson 21-17.
Read between those numbers from this series and here's all you need to know: Clemson can't run on GA Tech's defense. At least, not in the Paul Johnson era. This is important to note.
Okay, so last year Clemson didn't have C.J. Spiller due to injury. And Jamie Harper was inneffective replacing C.J. Spiller; as was the graduated James Davis.
During the Chan Gailey (offensive coach) era, C.J. Spiller ran for 116 yards on 16 attempts ast a freshman. Veteran James Davis gashed through the Yellow Jackets defense for 216 yards on 21 attempts. That was in 2006. Otherwise, C.J. Spiller's resume against this mightily improved Tech defense is a paltry one. C.J. Spiller ran 9 times for 2 yards in 2007 against Tech.
Exit Chan Gailey, Reggie Ball and Taylor Bennett and enter Paul Johnson and Josh Nesbitt. The ACC is rebuilding and i'd say GA Tech is in pole position; especially during a stretch when FSU and Miami is seeking relevancy.
And look at it this way, GA Tech fans -- at least you didn't have to deal with Will Proctor, Charlie Whitehurst and the overrated Cullen Harper. Enter Kyle Parker and Dabo Swinney.
Kyle Parker, a RS frosh whose resume includes a sparkling Spring scrimmage and a .336 batting average in baseball. Oh wait, he did beat MTSU four days ago.
If i equate Kyle Parker to Kris Medlen and Josh Nesbitt to Tommy Hanson, who would you take? Its a no-brainer, yah?
Unitl Clemson have a legit QB, they're still a pretender in the ACC. Josh Nesbitt matched with Paul Johnson's spread option offense makes GA Tech relevant again.
Lets take a look at the battle in the trenches. I underlined Clemson can't run on Tech's defense. The problem with this divination not forthcoming is that Clemson's O-Line is stout and experienced. Yes, this is the same Clemson O-Line from last season. C.J. Spiller behind Thomas Austin (center) and a rejuvinated Rendrick Taylor (fullback) is a heavy challenge for GA Tech's D-Line.
Check out the height & weight comparison; re-quote heavy challenge:
Clemson O-Line
LT Chris Hairston (jr) 6-6 320
LG/C Thomas Austin (sr) 6-3 315
C Mason Cloy (so) 6-3 310
RG Antoine McClain (so) 6-5 305
RT Cory Lambert (sr) 6-6 310
versus GA Tech D-Line
DT Jason Peters (so) 6-4 272
DT Ben Anderson (jr) 6-2 271
DE Derrick Morgan (jr) 6-4 270
DE Robert Hall (jr) 6-3 248
Looks like GA Tech will need A LOT of help from their linebackers with all those 300-lb brutes Clemson have. Good thing is, GA Tech return lots of starts on defense.
On paper, the battle in the trenches goes one way -- the way of Clemson's massive O-line. Thursday could turn into the C.J. Spiller show if the home team can't stop or at least contain him.
Now lets see what Jonathan Dwyer is working with:
GA Tech O-Line
LT Brad Sellers (sr) 6-2 252
LG Joseph Gilbert (so) 6-4 288
C Sean Bedford (jr) 6-1 268
RG Cord Howard (sr) 6-5 310
RT Austin Barrick (jr) 6-3 254
Clemson D-Line
NT Jarvis Jenkins (jr) 6-4 305
DT Brandon Thompson (fr) 6-4 280
DE Da'Quan Bowers (so) 6-4 275
DE Ricky Sapp (sr) 6-4 240
Seems to be a fair assessment that Dwyer could run on this Clemson defense. GA Tech's O-Line is just as experienced as its D-Line. Ricky Sapp is healthy and anchoring his usual position; he is a real threat to Nesbitt's blind side. Brandon Thompson is no threat and Jarvis Jenkins is okay -- safe to say against Tech's spread option.
To note, Dwyer is rested. He only played the 1st Half against Jacksonville State. Actually, despite a short week, both teams are quite rested as a lot of scrubs made their debut.
To be cont'd... maybe.
Clemson 3 days to prepare-
Taking Clemson on a small play. GLTA
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