Bullz-Eye's College Football Game of the Week
10/19/2006
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We’ll be dissecting one big college football match-up every week throughout the season. The game could be a big rivalry, it could have Top-25 implications, or it could just be a battle between two powerhouse programs.
Want to get in on the action? Visit our College Football Live Lines page to compare the spread from four major handicappers before picking your winner. Good luck!
This week’s match up: (#13) Georgia Tech at (#12) Clemson
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 7:45pm ET on ESPN
RESULT: Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 7
Why to tune in:
At the start of the season, very few people saw this contest as a potential game of the week candidate. But the reality of the situation is that both Georgia Tech and Clemson are playing as hard and as tough as any team it in the nation. Both squads are greatly overachieving in ’06 and this could potentially be the ACC title game at the end of the season. Not to mention that the winner will be knocking at the door of a possible top-10 ranking in either the AP or USA Today poll.
When Georgia Tech has the ball:
Much of the reason Chan Gailey and the Yellow Jackets are having so much success this year is due to the play of senior QB Reggie Ball. During his first three seasons, Ball threw 41 interceptions to just 37 touchdowns. However, this year Ball has cut down on his mistakes and has doubled his touchdown (10) to interception (5) production. As far as this contest, though, the Tigers are ranked fifth in sacks and as well as Ball has played this season, he’s still susceptible to pressure. If the Yellow Jackets can’t get RB Tashard Choice going early, Clemson can get to Ball and therefore neutralize one of the best offensive weapons in the nation in Tech WR Calvin Johnson. The Tigers have some injury issues up front on the defensive line, so watch for Clemson to roll up defensive backs Michael Hamlin and Chris Clemons to keep Choice in check, which might lead to a couple of huge plays by Johnson.
When Clemson has the ball:
There’s no question that Tigers QB Will Proctor misses having his go-to guy in WR Chansi Stuckey. However, in just his first full season as a starter, Proctor is doing a nice job of using his other targets like Aaron Kelly and Jacoby Ford. Don’t expect Kelly to have a huge game, though, because the Jackets have one of the best cover corners in the nation in Kenny Scott. Scott will be able to play man-to-man against Kelly, which will once again leave Proctor without a solid go-to receiver. This game will be won or lost on the ground, though, not on Proctor and the passing game. Clemson boasts one of the nation’s best 1-2 run combos in sophomore James Davis and freshman C.J. Spiller. The duo has allowed the Tigers to rush for an average of 252 yards on the ground, which has often opened the door for Proctor to have decent games. Tech is giving up 182 yards on the ground, so logic says that both Spiller and Davis will have a good margin of success against the Jackets’ run defense.
Prediction:
The stats say that Clemson is the far superior team, but with how well Georgia Tech has played against the Tigers in the past, don’t bet on a blow out. This game has all the makings of a tight contest right down to the wire, which usually bodes well for the home team. The Yellow Jackets have won the past two meetings, but I really think that the combination of Spiller and Davis is eventually going to wear Tech out and lead to a big play or two by Proctor.
It should be a great game, but I think the Tigers have too much firepower: Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 21.
Questions or comments? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.