Bowl eligibility on the line when Clemson looks for ninth straight win over Georgia Tech
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C.
Virginia running back Kobe Pace (5) dives in for a touchdown as he is tackled by Georgia Tech defensive back Rodney Shelley (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Charlottesville, Va.
Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. walks off the field after defeating Notre Dame during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C.
Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes (11) is tackled by Virginia cornerback Dave Herard, bottom, linebacker Josh McCarron, top right, and cornerback Sam Westfall, bottom right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Charlottesville, Va.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik looks to pass against Notre Dame during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C.
Georgia Tech head coach Brent key gives a thumbs up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Charlottesville, Va.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) 鈥� Georgia Tech (5-4, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Clemson (5-4, 2-4), Saturday, 12 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Clemson by 14 1/2, according to FanDuel 缅北禁地book.
Series record: Georgia Tech leads 51-35-2
WHAT鈥橲 AT STAKE?
Winner goes to a bowl game. That would be a great accomplishment for the Yellow Jackets in year two under coach Brent Key. It would be a consolation prize for the Tigers in this unexpected season of struggle. Clemson was picked to win the ACC title during the summer and must win its last two league games to avoid its first losing conference season since 1998.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia Tech QB Haynes King vs. Clemson defensive front. King, the Texas A&M transfer, is among the biggest surprises in the ACC. He鈥檚 third among league passers and has thrown an ACC-best 22 touchdowns. But the Tigers have one of the top lines in the country featuring tackle Tyler Davis and rising freshmen in Peter Woods and T.J. Parker.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia Tech: RB Jamal Haynes has been productive this season, averaging nearly six yards a carry. He鈥檚 fifth in the league with 664 yards.
Clemson: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. had a game-best 11 tackles, a couple of those behind the line of scrimmage, and a pick six off Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman a week ago in the Tigers鈥� 31-23 upset of the Fighting Irish.
FACTS & FIGURES
Coach Dabo Swinney became Clemson鈥檚 all-time leader with his 166th victory last week, beating Notre Dame at the school where he began in midseason 2008. 鈥� Swinney鈥檚 first game? Georgia Tech at home that season. The Yellow Jackets rallied to win 21-17. 鈥� The Yellow Jackets have lost eight straight to Clemson, last winning in Atlanta in 2014. Their last win in Clemson was Swinney鈥檚 first game 15 years ago. 鈥� Phil Mafah ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the Notre Dame win as injured starter Will Shipley was in concussion protocol from a hard hit at North Carolina State on Oct. 28. Mafah鈥檚 output was the most yards in a game for the Tigers this season. 鈥� Georgia Tech, expected to struggle this season, has scored 91 points in back-to-back victories over ranked North Carolina and Virginia the past two weeks.
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