Keys to Victory: No. 2 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech

Each week we give you a look at the history of the game, three keys to success, plus our staff predictions. Here is some of the history and what we think has to happen for Clemson to avoid being stung in Atlanta.

Clemson has had to make itself at home on the road in conference openers in years past, as 2018 marks the seventh consecutive season that the Tigers have opened conference play on the road. That seven-game streak is the longest stretch in program history.

Clemson has won each of their last three conference openers, and with a victory on Saturday, the 2018 seniors can become Clemson's first senior class to sweep their conference openers since 2005.

Clemson attempting to open 4-0 for the fourth straight season and for the fifth time in the last six years. Clemson winning its first four games of a season for the sixth time under Head Coach Dabo Swinney (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017).

Clemson's five 4-0 starts under Swinney are already the most under any head coach in school history (Frank Howard, 4; Danny Ford, 3; Josh Cody, 3; Tommy Bowden, 2; John Heisman, 1).

The Match Up:

#2 Clemson (3-0, 0-0) vs Georgia Tech (1-2, 0-0)

Clemson vs Georgia Tech 2017 Highlights:

Clemson vs Georgia Tech 2016 Highlights:

All-Time Series:

Georgia Tech leads: 51-30-2
at Clemson:  Tigers lead 15-6
at Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets lead 44-13-2
Neutral: Clemson leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Clemson won 24-10 in 2017 
Last Georgia Tech win: 28-6 in 2014
Last 10 Meetings: 6-4 Clemson
Streak: Clemson has a three-game winning streak against Georgia Tech

Listen Live: Fox Sports Radio 1400 on iHeart Radio

Stat of the Week:

Clemson looks to win its fourth consecutive game against Georgia Tech, dating back to a 43-24 home win in 2015. It would match Clemson's longest winning streak in the all-time series, matching four-game winning streaks across the 1898-1903 seasons and the 1993-96 campaigns.

The Tigers are also looking for back-to-back road wins at Georgia Tech for the first time the 2001 and 2003. Clemson won its most recent game at Georgia Tech, 26-7, in 2016. With a win, Clemson would secure its 16th victory in its last 17 true road games.

© Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson's defensive line has been a huge catalyst to knocking off Georgia Tech the past three seasons.

Key 1: Stay Disciplined

The triple option is an offense that is designed to take advantage of an aggressive, attacking defense. If the defense takes one aggressive step in the wrong direction, it could mean a house call for a triple option offense. That's how teams who run the triple option level the playing field a little against more athletic teams. 

That's why the first key for the Tigers is to stay disciplined. In the past few seasons, the Tigers have done very well at sticking with their assignments and blowing up the Georgia Tech option from the inside out. Take for example this sequence of plays in last season's game at Death Valley. 

In the first play, the Yellow Jackets try to hand off to the dive man, and the Tigers gobble it up immediately. On the next play, the Tigers take the dive away and force Tech to try and run outside. Everyone stays disciplined, they string it out and stuff it for a two-yard loss to put Tech in third and long. Third and long is not where they want to be. 

However, if you're not disciplined, it doesn't take much to spring free. Watch this play from Tech's week two matchup against South Florida, in which the Bulls overpursue on Tech's quarterback Marshall. 

Dangerous. 

Key 2: Get a Good Game From the Nickel

Over the past three years, Dorian O'Daniel has roamed the field as Clemson's nickel back. O'Daniel especially loved to play against Georiga Tech, as his speed and versatility allowed him to rack up a ton of tackles for loss on plays in which Tech tried to run the ball to the outside. Having speed and eye discipline from that spot is huge going against the triple option. 

However, O'Daniel is gone. Isaiah Simmons, the 6'2", 230-pound former safety, has moved into his spot for this season. Simmons is a versatile defender who can do a lot of things well, but he hasn't had his eye discipline tested like he will in this game. Simmons possesses the speed and versatility required for the position, but major strain will be put on him to make the right decision on outside runs. O'Daniel made the right choice almost every time, and if Clemson can't replace his production, that could spell big trouble for the Tigers. 

Key 3: Find a Rhythm Early

Clemson was slow offensively out of the gates against Georgia Southern last weekend. They had a decent first drive going but then turned the ball over and that really seemed to bog them down. The Tigers need to get it going early in Atlanta and take the crowd out of the game with some big plays and scores. Perhaps this is the week you stick to one quarterback and let him work throughout the entirety of the game. Maybe this is the game you put a real emphasis on running the football, feeding a hot Travis Etienne and using the read option game to pick up chunks on the ground. Whatever the decision, the Tigers need to find their rhythm early to help the defense stay off the field. The only way we see the Yellow Jackets being effective is if they can wear down the Tiger defense and hit on some big plays with the triple option.

Prediction:

Clemson has been incredibly poised the past few seasons. Their mentality on the road has been nearly unflappable winning 15 out of their last 16 true road games. According to our friend, Ken Sugiura at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tickets should be easy to find which means there isn't expected to be a large turnout from the Yellow Jacket fans. One would assume this favors Clemson significantly. While Johnson has had some good seasons in Atlanta, you have to wonder what the vibe will be if Clemson smacks Georgia Tech around, dropping them to 1-3 on the season. 

We get the feeling that if you make the trip to the Peach State for the game, you will get to find out. This one goes the way of the Tigers-- by a wide margin.

Final Score Predictions: 

Perfect Prediction = 5 points              Best Prediction = 3 Points         Correct Prediction = 1 Point 

**Pick of the Week: Indicates the best prediction.