Clemson at Georgia Tech game line, pick: Tigers go for first win in a decade in Atlanta

Clemson will host Louisville on Oct. 1, but up first is a trip to Atlanta

By Chip Patterson

Sep 22, 2016 at 5:52 pm ET • 2 min read

Clemson and Georgia Tech have been two of the most consistent programs in the post-realignment era of ACC football. Only Florida State and Virginia Tech have more ACC title game appearances, but the Tigers and Yellow Jackets haven't met for the championship since 2009, a result that was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions. It's a shame, because the old southern rivals (meeting for the 82nd time on Thursday) tend to put on a pretty good show when they meet.

Clemson storyline: It's taken a while for Clemson's offense to reach what we believe to be its full potential, and while the Tigers would love plenty of time to get things rolling, the pivotal moments of the 2016 campaign have arrived. Playing Georgia Tech on a short turnaround is never fun -- particularly in Atlanta -- where Dabo Swinney has never beaten Paul Johnson. After a few extra days to recover from defending the option, Clemson will welcome Lamar Jackson and the red-hot Louisville Cardinals on Oct. 1.

If Deshaun Watson rolls through these next two weeks, picking apart opposing defenses and marching down the field possession after possession, no one blinks twice and we're right back to loving Clemson. Drop one, or both of those games, and the fans will panic. The margin for error in college football is already small, the margin for error in the eyes of fans is microscopic when you're the defending runner-up with a Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback.

Deshaun Watson could have a big game on Thursday. USATSI

Georgia Tech storyline: Can Georgia Tech control the line of scrimmage against a talented Clemson front? The key to Georgia Tech squeezing the life out of this game, keeping it tight and getting to the fourth quarter with a shot to win is the offensive line. Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell are freakishly talented, but young, on the outside and Clemson has been getting quality snaps from true freshman Dexter Lawrence up front. If Justin Thomas has an orange helmet in his face after every snap, it'll be a long night. If Georgia Tech's big bodies can open up seams for interior runs, Paul Johnson can flex his carefully crafted offense on national television.

Game pick: Georgia Tech +9.5. Clemson has lost five straight in Atlanta, a streak that dates back to 2003. Also, Paul Johnson is 5-0 in Bobby Dodd against ranked opponents when Georgia Tech is unranked, including two upsets against top-10 teams. This is a nightmare spot for Clemson, especially with Louisville coming up on Oct. 1. My gut says the Tigers are fortunate to win and ultimately victorious, but my pick is with the Thursday night home dogs in a cross-division rivalry.