The 2009 installment of what has to be the best rivalry in the ACC is on display Thursday night in Atlanta, facing off Dabo’s Tigers against the #15 Yellow Jackets. I know I’ll get a lot of ‘WTF’s’ from people because I am touting this as the best in-conference rivalry, but while Florida State/Miami might have a better national cache, Clemson-GT brings a guaranteed nail-biter to the table almost every year. And if you’ve somehow had your head under a rock the last decade, you’ve missed out. Of the last 10 meetings, all but 2 have been decided by 10 points or less, with numerous contests won in the final moments.

Here’s a quick look at the last 10 meetings (Home team in bold):
1999: Georgia Tech 45, Clemson 42
Offensive shoot-out that saw both teams put up 400+ yards of offense, with GT QB Joe Hamilton showinging out with 410 yards himself, including 4 TD passes. It took a late stop at the Tech goal-line to put the game away, with the Jackets running out the final 3:07.

2000: Georgia Tech 31, Clemson 28
There’s a lesson to be learned from this one: don’t count it a ‘W’ until the clock hits 00:00. Georgia Tech, down by 4 with a little under 2 minutes left, drove 80 yards on 11 plays, capped by a UNBELIEVABLE one-handed grab by Kerry Watkins with 7 seconds left, to give Tech a 31-28 win. The loss knocked Clemson out of the ranks of the undefeated.

2001: Clemson 47, Georgia Tech 44 (OT)
Easily one of the best games I have ever witnessed. Clemson QB Woody Dantzler was a one-man offensive machine, throwing for 254 yards and rushing for 164 for a grand total of 418 total yards. His 38-yard TD run as the first half expired was only the first of 3 highlight plays. Late in the 4th quarter, on 4th and long, he connected with JJ McKelvey for a 63-yard bomb to tie it. Then he ended it in OT with a 11 yard run to give the Tigers the win.

2002: Clemson 24, Georgia Tech 19
Derrick Hamilton provided the offensive spark with 97 yards rushing and a big 79-yard punt return that setup a TD just before halftime, putting the Tigers up by 11. They stretched the lead to 18 after a 44-yard TD connection between QB Willie Simmons and TE Tony Elliot. After trading off turnovers, the Yellow Jackets had a chance to score for the win, but QB AJ Suggs was intercepted to seal the game.

2003: Clemson 39, Georgia Tech 3
In one of the few blow-outs in this series, Clemson QB Charlie Whithurst threw for nearly 300 yards and 3 TD’s. The Tigers rolled up 436 yards of offense on the night, and exploded for 3 TD’s in the 2nd quarter.

2004: Georgia Tech 28, Clemson 24
Clemson’s first look at freshman WR, and current Detroit Lion, Calivin Johnson was one they would love to soon forget. In what was a flash of things to come, Johnson caught 3 TD’s, the last of which was a game winner, going up over All-ACC Justin Miller to win the game for the Jackets. The final 8 minutes of this game were almost to crazy to believe, with 5 TD’s being scored, 3 by Georgia Tech. The final game-winning score was setup by a snap over the head of Clemson P Cole Chason, which put Tech on the Tiger 11.

2005: Georgia Tech 10, Clemson 9
Georgia Tech RB PJ Daniels rushed for 100 yards and the games only TD midway through the 4th quarter, which was enough to give Tech the win. On the ensuing kickoff, Clemson WR Aaron Kelly returned it 81 yards to the Tech 17 yard line. Clemson managed to get down to the 6, but the Jacket defense held them to a FG to pull it to 10-9. Clemson had a few chances in remaining mintues of the game, but on 4th-and-8, QB Charlie Whitehurst hit receiver Curtis Baham for a mere 2 yard gain. The Tigers got the ball back with 3 seconds left, but Whitehurst pass was picked off.

2006: Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 7
The only other blow-out in recent history saw Clemson RB’s James Davis and CJ Spiller put on a rushing CLINIC. Georgia Tech came in #13 and undefeated in ACC play, in what was expected to be a close call win for the Jackets. It turned into a man-handling in a hurry. Davis and Spiller combined to rush for 332 yards and 3 TDs and an embarrassment of Tech on national TV. It was a game that saw Davis set a career high, the Clemson defense keep Georgia Tech super-WR Calvin Johnson to 0 catches, and Spiller break off a 50-yard TD run can only be described as ‘Playstationesque’.

The moves were so jaw-dropping, I had to add the video:

2007: Georgia Tech 13, Clemson 3
Georgia Tech returned the favor of being upset when they were ranked 13th the year before by upending #13 Clemson 13-3. The Tigers virtually handed the Jackets the game, allowing a punt to get blocked which set up the only TD of the game, and fumbled a kick return which setup a Tech field goal. Icing on the cake: 4 missed field goals for the Tigers.

2008: Georgia Tech 21, Clemson 17
I would say chalk this loss up to the drama and turmoil that surrounded the program with Tommy Bowden stepping down as head coach just a few days prior, but in all honesty the Tigers had this game if not for a season high 6 turnovers. They held the high-powered Tech offense in check, only allowing 298 yards but did give up over 100 yards to All-ACC back Dwyer.

This years version provides an epic match-up with the top 2 players in the ACC, and easily two of the best in the nation: Clemson RB and return guru CJ Spiller and Georgia Techs All-ACC RB Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer is getting national recognition as a Heisman contender, while Clemson launched its own ‘CJ for Heisman’ campaign at the beginning of the year. Both players arguably have Heisman talent, and proved it with their first touches of the season. Dwyer took his opening handoff and scampered 74-yards for a TD, and not to be outdone, Spiller one upped him by opening the game with a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD. While both players styles are completely different beasts in their own respective rights, they do anchor their teams offense.

Exactly how much offensive fire power we’ll see will ride solely on the QB’s though. In the pre-season, Coach Johnson vowed to aim for 2,000 yards passing this year, but in game 1 against Jacksonville State, Tech still looked like a very effective, run happy team. I guess the old saying fits here: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. For Clemson, I’m sure Tiger nation was relieved to see how effective Freshman QB Kyle Parker was. Take out his jittery opening series and at least 4 drops from receivers, he was lights out accurate and showed great mobility. Obviously there’s a big difference between the MTSU defense and Georgia Tech’s smothering ‘D’ though.

In 2008, the Jackets finished in the Top 30 in the nation in total defense, rushing defense, and sacks. This is the same defense that caused 6 turnovers (4 INTS, 2 Fumbles) against the Tigers, while limiting them to under 250 yards of total offense. And considering the Tigers recent history in Atlanta, that adds a 12th man in Techs corner. For the Tigers, the opener against MTSU showed a defense that no longer has a feel of ‘bend but don’t break’; new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has a gameplan that will punish any team trying to gain an inch – I can’t tell you how many ‘OMG’s’ I let out with some of the hits put on MTSU players. On a side note – I’d like to call out #2 DeAndre McDaniel here. He is a heavy hitter that reminds me of David Dunhams full on contact style of tackling.

On paper, this game looks like a 10+ point win for the Jackets. Experienced on both sides of the ball, an established offensive identity, solid defense, and home field advantage. But I’m going to go on a limb and go against logic. Go against every publication out there. This prediction is going off gut feeling. I didn’t follow it when I predicted the Florida State/Miami game, but I’ll follow it now. Coach Dabo and his Tigers had this game circled a long time ago, and I think the game plan on hand will be enough to pull off the upset. Jonathan Dwyer will probably see another 100 yard game, but if Spiller can get going, and Parker gets comfortable, Clemson wins. Not by much, but they pull it out.

Difference Maker: While I really want to say quarterback play will be the key here, it won’t be the first thing that dictates how this game turns out. Clemson’s defensive line has the ultimate say in who wins. They MUST shut down Tech’s option based offense. Based on what was seen against MTSU, Georgia Tech has a much tougher task than they might think with an extremely tough and fast line that could create enough disruption to break down plays. And in all honesty, if the Jackets opt to pass, their receivers are no match for the Tigers secondary. On the flip side though, if the Tigers can’t establish themselves in a big way, it could a long evening in A-Town.

ACC Blitz Prediction: Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 24

My buddy Jeff over at AllSportsDiscussion has a good Clemson/GaTech preview up:
All Sports Discussion

Tags: 2009 Clemson Football, 2009 Clemson Georgia Tech Football, 2009 Georgia Tech Football, ACC Football Game of the Week, Clemson Georgia Tech Football, Clemson Georgia Tech Rivalry