Georgia Tech runs into Clemson

Keys for Clemson

Run, Travis, run: Senior running back Travis Etienne is a human hand grenade, who can blow up an opposing defense.

A prime example of occurred in the third quarter of last week’s game against Miami. The Hurricanes had gained momentum. But with about eight minutes left in the third, Etienne took a handoff, burst through a small hole on the left side and raced up the sideline for a 72yard touchdown run.

Blocking out the blocks: About the only crack in Clemson’s armor so far this season has been in the kicking game, where the blocking on field-goal attempts has been shaky at times. Miami broke through to block three field goals last Saturday.

Keys for Georgia Tech

Get to the end zone: The Yellow Jackets have displayed dramatic improvement on offense this season, registering over 400 yards in all four of their games compared to the 294.6 they averaged a year ago.

But despite the increased yardage, Georgia Tech still ranks at the low end among ACC teams in scoring (25.8). Before last week’s 46point outburst against Louisville, the Jackets were averaging a mere 19 points per outing.

Get off the field on defense: Easier said than done against an offense such as Clemson’s, but Georgia Tech’s defense needs to have a better day on third- and fourthdown situations than it did against Louisville last week.

The Yellow Jackets gave up first downs nine times in 17 situations on third down against the Cardinals and were 2-3 on fourth-down plays. Five times in eight tries when Louisville needed between eight and 19 yards to convert on third down, Georgia Tech failed to come up with a stop. Giving Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence extra chances will result in a lot more damage than it did against Louisville.

Prediction

Clemson 41, Georgia Tech 17: The Yellow Jackets are an improved team, so this probably won’t be the kind of brutal beating Clemson administered last year when it rolled up 632 yards of total offense in a 5214 win.

But the Tigers are on a roll and should easily secure a 34th consecutive regular-season Atlantic Coast Conference victory.

KEN RUINARD/USA TODAY SPORTS Clemson senior Travis Etienne is the only player in FBS history to score a rushing or receiving touchdown in 39 games. He’s 172 yards from the ACC’s career rushing mark.