Breakdown, go ahead & give it to me....

To say that Saturday is a big game really is an understatement.  Since its inception, Tech has never played in a BCS game.  In fact, the last time we played in a "major" bowl game was the 1966 Orange Bowl.  To play in a BCS game in CPJ's second season would mean a tremendous amount to players, recruits, fans, & everyone connected with Tech.  But to reach that goal we've got to beat a Clemson team we just nipped in our second game of the year.

Anthony Allen's 83 yard TD run highlighted our ground attack in our first match-up...

We do need to look back at that game, the narrowest of victories for the Jackets, to preview this one.  If you remember it took a last minute field goal from Scott Blair to win the game for us. In September, the Jackets jumped out to an early lead on a long Anthony Allen TD run (83 yards on a perfectly blocked triple option) and used two special teams plays - a fake field goal TD pass to BayBay & an 85 yard Tarrant punt return TD on a pooch kick - to build an early 21-0 lead after the first quarter.  But then the Clemson defense turned it on & stifled the Jackets until the final two drives of the game that resulted in the game tying & winning field goals.  At one point the Clemson D forced us into 7 consecutive three & outs.  Clemson used their great front four to repeatedly stifle the option by penetrating the backfield & disrupting the mesh read.  The ability of their defensive line also enabled them to commit players to defending the perimeter, essential making it difficult to pitch the ball.  In fact, Clemson actually defended the option better than any team we've faced this year, including Miami.

So the big question is does one team have a decided advantage having seen the other team already this season?  Much as we hate to say it, this has to help Clemson.  Our offense is so unique that seeing it early in the season will help them to prepare to face us again.  As the Clemson offense relies more on athletes than scheme, they have an advantage here.  So here are some keys to the game/things we expect to see on Saturday.  We'll start when we have the ball:

• No turnovers.  We turn it over, we lose.  That simple.  I know it's cliche to talk about the turnover battle but it's appropriate here.  When two evenly matched teams meet, it's turnovers that often decide the game.  We cannot beat ourselves on Saturday.  We'll have a tough enough time contending with Mr. Spiller & friends....
• Establish an offensive rhythm early.  We need to start well.  We can't afford to get behind as the Clemson defense is just too good.  We need to score early & get a nice rhythm going...
• Give them some different looks to think about.  I feel really good about this.  No question we'll see a few new wrinkles from CPJ in an effort to confuse their defense.  While we are no doubt executing better than in game 2 of the season, a few nuances won't hurt the cause.

Hey Dabo, I'm talkin' to you, little bitch....What the hell kinda name is Dabo anyway...?

• Someone other than BayBay has to step up & make a play in the passing game.  They will undoubtedly key on #8.  And he will still make plays.  After the drop against Georgia, CPJ will feed him early & often.  But we'll need the threat of the pass to open up the run & someone has to step up.  Stephen Hill is scheduled to play after an injury against U(sic)GA....He's a fine candidate but it really doesn't matter who it is, somebody needs to make a play...
• Our center & guards vs. their defensive tackles.  This will be where the game is won or lost.  Bedford, Gilbert, Howard & Uzzi must be able to handle Clemson's rotating trio of Jenkins, Thompson, & Cumbie.  If those three get penetration & disrupt the backfield, we're doomed.  Conversely, if we can block them & Deandre McDaniel & the Clemson linebackers are making plays 5 yards downfield, we have a good chance in this game.  If you want to know how the game is really going on Saturday, watch the interior line play...
• Finally, our best defense is a good offense.  We need this guy to show up...

Long, sustained, clock-eating drives....

On defense, we'll need to play exponentially better than against U(sic)GA or it'll be a long evening in Tampa.  Clemson relies on ACC Player-of-the-Year CJ Spiller, senior WR Jacoby Ford, & TE Michael Palmer for the majority of their offense.  We have to take away some of these options.  On defense we need to:

• Get an early stop.  After being gashed by the Mutts, we need an infusion of confidence.  A three & out ("cha,cha, cha"...as CPJ calls them) would be great but some type of early stop is critical to our success on Saturday.  I'm not sure we can recover if they march right down the field & score....

We need one of these early...

• No big plays.  Easier said than done.  But we can't give up huge chunks of yards or easy scores.  Funnel Spiller back into the middle of the field & keep him off the edge where he's the most dangerous.  Don't let Ford behind us.  If we make them "earn" their points we'll have a shot...
• Use Morgan Burnett to spy Spiller.  He's their most dangerous weapon & they'll find ways to get him the ball.  Burnett is the only athlete we have even remotely close to Spiller.  Have Uno shadow him the entire game & make somebody else beat us...

Put Uno on Spiller....

• Someone other than Derrick Morgan in our front seven has to provide a pass rush.  T.J. Barnes will start for the injured Ben Anderson at DT.  Expect Izaan Cross to play some at DT also.  But someone needs to step up & make plays.  #91 was so good in the first game (10 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks) they could very well triple team him on Saturday.  We've got to make them pay if they do...
• Cover TE Michael Palmer (and not with a linebacker).  This guy is sneaky good.  He always seems to make a play when they really need it.  We've got to account for him.  And by the way, a linebacker won't do.  For the love of Bobby Dodd, we've got to cover him with a DB.  Our linebackers can't cover drying paint....
• Finally, we have to play our assignments & not over-pursue.  This killed us in the UGA game.  If it happens Saturday, Spiller will cut back & the next thing we see will be orange in the end zone...

One thing I can tell you is that this game will be close.  11 of our last 14 against Clemson have been decided by 5 points or less.  I don't expect anything different on Saturday.  Unfortunately for us, I think it's very tough to beat a quality team twice in one year.  Can we do it?  Sure, but it will be tough.  Saturday night will come down to special teams & which defense plays better. I've got to say we have a decided coaching advantage & that will surely help.  Call it a coin flip - my head says Clemson wins, my gut says Tech comes out with something to prove.  I'll take the Bees, 27-24.....