Georgia Tech at Clemson
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. Thursday/ESPN
Records: Georgia Tech (6-3, 5-2 ACC), Clemson (8-1, 6-1 ACC)
Series record: Georgia Tech leads 50–26–2.
1. Can Georgia Tech win the turnover battle?
The Yellow Jackets have won their past three games despite being minus-3 in turnover margin. That almost certainly will not fly against Clemson, which in the past three seasons is 17-1 when it commits fewer turnovers than the opposition.
2. Can the Jackets contain Sammy Watkins?
It is almost unavoidable that the explosive wide receiver, who has six 100-yard receiving games and seven touchdowns this season, will break plays against Tech. The question is, how many and how big? The pressure is on Tech's defensive line to put some heat on quarterback Tajh Boyd.
3. Who is Tech?
Are the Jackets the team that routed Syracuse 56-0 and held Pittsburgh to minus-5 rushing yards, or the team that committed nine penalties and turned the ball over five times (and won) against Virginia. Tech needs a clean effort against the Tigers to have a chance.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Tech OTs Will Jackson and Chase Roberts vs. Clemson DE Vic Beasley.
Coach Paul Johnson would like to throw more than the team has lately — the Jackets have had an 88/12 run/pass ratio in the past three games — but a lot of that will depend on how well the offensive line can protect quarterback Vad Lee from the likes of Beasley, who is tied for second in the country with 1.1 sacks per game.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
From outside linebacker Brandon Watts:
Off to South Carolina we go
HOW TECH AND CLEMSON MATCH UP
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