Clemson vs Georgia Tech: Aftermath

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech: Aftermath

What an interesting game.

I watched that game with a few schools of thought before the kickoff, one, that Clemson with a new head coach, and having a disappointing season last year, could be looking at a loss. I also thought Georgia Tech, as a nationally ranked team, at home, should win, but was not convinced because their quarterback is not REALLY a quarterback. I mean, looking at his stats, you really had to wonder about that.

And so the game begins and it just looks like this triple option thing that Georgia Tech has is really going to work…I mean, it did well for the last year. But I have my doubts about it working for a great team, against great opponents. It just seemed that the Yellow Jackets were kinda out of date by using it, even though their coach came from Navy, where it is still being used.

I watched that game and saw Georgia Tech jump to a 21-0 in the first quarter, then 24-7 by halftime…but I wondered something about Georgia Tech, something they best not repeat.

With the score 21-7, and the Yellow Jackets driving, they had a third down and maybe 3 or 4 yards for a first down, inside the 10 yard line. I remember asking my brother if GA Tech ought to try to punch it for the first down or touchdown. He said they should try to at least get a field goal out of it. The play they ran seemed to imply that Georgia Tech was only trying to get in the center of the field, to guarantee at least a field goal.

I can understand that, but what it also seems to imply was that they were not going for the “killer blow” when they were inside the 10 yard line. I know it’s hindsight, but if you played aggressive for at least the first down, you might have 4 more downs to score a touchdown, and possibly break Clemson’s heart. Instead, they went for 3 and got it.

But in doing so, I really wonder if they gave Clemson hope. It certainly seemed so, as Clemson came in the second half to tie the game at 27-27, and it took a great effort by Georgia Tech to win.

I will say that I am impressed by Clemson, but I wonder if Georgia Tech will be able to win 8 games. When you take the field to play an opponent, you can’t fool yourself to think that 21 points will guarantee you a victory. The Yellow Jackets almost learned the hard way that jumping off to a 21-0 start does NOT guarantee a victory.

And what’s up with the passing? I mean, it was an adventure just short of “Lord of the Rings” whenever Nessbitt dropped back to pass. At one point Nessbitt had more interceptions than completions. What this tells me is if Georgia Tech’s triple options for any reason fails or slumps, they can’t win because they don’t have a quarterback to pass the ball. His stats last year were 2 touchdowns, FIVE interceptions the whole year!

Georgia Tech survived that game, and to be fair, sometimes you need that scary game to shake you into playing better. To be sure, Georgia Tech’s style of play is different from anybody else in the ACC, so there is some idea that they can rise through the ranks. And with the ACC falling apart with ranked members VA Tech and Florida State falling, and basement teams like Duke and Virginia losing to foes they ought never lose to, maybe Georgia Tech is in position to make some real noise.

And I’ll say the same for Clemson, they played a LOT better than I thought they would, hats off to those guys for not giving up when things got hard. Playing like that, and eliminating just a few mistakes can have them making serious contention for the ACC crown.

Overall, a VERY good game, I enjoyed every bit of it. Great job Yellow Jackets and Tigers.