With only five weeks are left in the college football regular season, even one loss may prove too costly for the top teams in each of the conferences. The Clemson Tigers sit second in the ACC Atlantic standings, while the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are placed at second in ACC Coastal. The two face each other in what should be an exciting, pivotal conference showdown.
For more on the biggest games in Week 12 of the college football season, check out our preview for the Auburn Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC. Craving for more football? Check out our best games to watch in Week 12 of the NCAA season.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia
When: Saturday, November 15, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Clemson Tigers (-3) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+3) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Clemson Tigers
Quarterback Cole Stoudt threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns and running back Wayne Gallman ran for a 30-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Clemson Tigers defeated Wake Forest 34-20 on Thursday. Despite winning their six-straight games, the Tigers are 2-4 ATS during their streak.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Stoudt, filling in for the injured Deshaun Watson, has now won four-straight games as the starting quarterback. Watson is getting closer toward making his return from a broken hand, and whoever starts at quarterback should be in for a good day against Georgia Tech’s porous pass defense, which has allowed 239.7 yards per game and 12 touchdowns this season.
Gallman has rushed for back-to-back 100-yard performances, one of which came against one of the ACC’s stout run defenses in Syracuse (130.56 yards allowed per game). He should be able to have another excellent performance, especially with Georgia Tech giving up an average of 175.8 yards in their four matchups against Clemson since 2010.
What sets Clemson apart from the rest of the ACC is their top notch defense. The Tigers rank first in the nation in opponent third down conversions at 23.4 percent. In one of their impressive defensive displays, Clemson limited the defending national champions, Florida State, to 4 for 15 on third down on September 20.
One of the strengths of the Tigers’ defense is their excellent pass rush, which has tallied 38 sacks in 10 games this season. Defensive lineman Vic Beasley leads with a team-high eight sacks. However, Clemson’s pass rush may meet their match against Georgia Tech’s offensive line, which has allowed only seven sacks in 10 games.
The total has gone under in four of Clemson’s last six games.
Betting on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
A pair of defensive touchdowns allowed the Yellow Jackets to pull away from North Carolina State in the second quarter of an emphatic 56-23 win last weekend. Cornerback D.J. White scored on a 38-yard interception return and linebacker Quayshawn Nealy recorded another touchdown on a 43-yard fumble return following linebacker Tyler Marcordes’ sack.
The win pushed Georgia Tech’s streak to 3-0 SU/ATS over the past three weeks.
Nealy and fellow linebacker Tyler Marcordes should provide a solid pass rush for the Yellow Jackets, especially going against a beatable Clemson offensive line which has allowed 2.1 sacks per game. Putting the pressure on Clemson’s quarterback may also lead to errant passes which may be intercepted. Defensive back Jamal Golden will be a threat in the secondary with a team-high three interceptions.
Georgia Tech’s passing game was barely a factor in the team’s drubbing of North Carolina State. Justin Thomas went 5 for 6 for 47 yards, while backup Tim Byerly completed 2 of 2 passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. It marked the fourth game this season in which they failed to reach the century mark in passing yards.
Clemson will be the highest-ranked pass defense (156.2 yards allowed per game) Georgia Tech will face, which may prompt them to almost completely abandon their passing game again. The Yellow Jackets’ lowest output through the air was 15 yards against Tulane on September 6.
The Yellow Jackets don’t need much of a passing game as they have one of the best rushing offenses in the nation, averaging 335.6 yards per game. Their quarterback Thomas uses his legs more than his arm to contribute on offense and has a team-high 721 rushing yards and four scores.
Meanwhile, lead running back Zach Laskey may return from a shoulder injury after attending last week’s practice. Laskey has rushed for 595 yards and five touchdowns in the seven games he played this season.
The Yellow Jackets’ running attack will be a formidable test for Clemson. The Tigers were blown out by the best rushing offense they’ve faced thus far in the Georgia Bulldogs, allowing 328 yards and five touchdowns.
The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 in home games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Georgia Tech’s rushing offense will be too much for Clemson to handle. The Yellow Jackets (+3) win one for the home fans. Create a betting account now and get yourself into the most exciting football games in the nation.
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