Keys to Victory: No. 4 Clemson at Georgia Tech

Each week we give you a look at the game's history, three keys to success, plus Swanny's prediction.

The Match-Up:

No. 4 Clemson (0-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Though Monday's game will be contested away from Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium, the game will be formally recognized as a Georgia Tech home game. The game marks the first time since the 2009 ACC Championship (Tampa, Fla.) that the teams will have faced one another off-campus and the first time the programs have done so for a regular season game since 1899, when the Tigers took home a 41-5 Thanksgiving Day win in Greenville, S.C. That game is also notable because of a trick play in which Clemson's W.C. Forsythe got Georgia Tech to pursue him by faking a run with his headgear tucked under his arm while M.N Hunter ran 40 yards down the sidelines for the score.

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech 2021

Series History:

• OVERALL: Clemson trails series, 34-51-2
• HOME: Clemson leads series, 17-6
• ROAD: Clemson trails series, 15-44-2
• NEUTRAL: Clemson leads, 2-1
• LAST MEETING: Sept. 18, 2021 (14-8, W)
• STREAK: Clemson, Won 7

Stat of the Week:

Clemson enters the season with an active winning streak against 11 of the 12 teams on its schedule. The Tigers' active winning streaks are against Furman (31), Wake Forest (13), Boston College (11), Georgia Tech (seven), Louisville (seven), South Carolina (seven), Florida State (six), Syracuse (four), Louisiana Tech (three), Miami (three) and Notre Dame (one). NC State won its most recent meeting with Clemson in 2021.

Chasing History:

Clemson is attempting to win a series-record fourth straight road game against Georgia Tech. Before the current three-game winning streak against the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Clemson won consecutive games at Georgia Tech four other times in school history (1902-03, 1906-07, 1986-88, 2001- 03)

Key 1: Click Early, Click Often

Last season seemed to be an endless loop of Clemson’s offense sputtering and stuttering their way down the field. Whether those issues were from a subpar offensive line, injuries, or just D.J. Uiagalelei being ineffective is really insignificant at this point. It’s a new season, and it sounds like a slimmer Uiagalelei has been a more confident Uiagalelei.

Clemson has the spotlight after a wild Week 1, and I bet they want to show that this year is going to be a lot different on offense under new OC Brandon Streeter.

If Uiagalelei and the Tigers can come out and build a lot of confidence early, it’s conceivable that their woes from a year ago hit the back burner-- if they don’t click, look out, because the most significant six inches on the field will be between Uiagalelei’s ears.

Key 2: Defensive Dominance

The Wes Goodwin Era gets underway for the long haul tonight, and by all indications, he’s got his group prepared to play fast and loose. A year ago, while the offense struggled, the Tiger defense also failed to do much by way of putting points on the board to help out a struggling offense.

Clemson’s bread has been buttered recently with incredible talent on defense, and this year is no different, but it would be a nice change of pace to see Goodwin’s group put some points on the board, giving more confidence to the offense and allowing them to play loose.

I don’t know what the over/under is on defensive scores for Clemson this year in Vegas, but in my head, I think they need to score four or more touchdowns this season and become an even bigger factor for the Tigers.

Key 3: Stay Healthy

From the “No Brainer Department” comes my final key for Clemson. Last season was marred with injuries at a multitude of positions. While the Tigers have the depth to overcome injuries, it would be nice to have a season where they are minimized. Dabo Swinney noted last week that you have to ‘have a little luck’ to win a national title, and that’s exactly what’s needed this year from an injury perspective. 

There are so many guys that have just spent countless games banged up, and while no one is at 100% entering the opener, I do find myself rooting for a guy like Joe Ngata to stay healthy. There is so much potential for Ngata, but even Swinney had to chuckle after mentioning how good the Folsom, CA wideout was in the fall, noting that we’ve all heard that before. Here’s to hoping it’s a healthy season for the group, but especially a guy like Ngata, who has just been banged up time and time again.

Prediction:

The opener is key for Clemson, there is no doubt about that. Swinney noted last week that all seven of his ACC Championship teams won their opener-- and all six of his CFB Playoff teams did the same. It’s safe to say that a good start goes a long way in Tiger Town.

As for tonight’s game, I think the key for Clemson is to really get the offense in a good positive rhythm. There wasn't a point last year where the Tigers ‘felt like themselves’ to everyone who has covered their run during the College Football Playoff Era.

This defense is more than capable of wreaking havoc, but until I see this offense blister a Power Five opponent-- I’ll have my reservations that they can put a 50+ spot on the board. 

Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 14

Swanny's Predictions: 

*Correct predictions in bold