Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

GAME NOTES: Two of the top teams in the ACC square off in Atlanta this weekend, as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play host to the sixth-ranked Clemson Tigers.

Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets opened the season with six straight wins thanks to a lethal offense that was racking up points and yardage at a record-setting pace. Tech however, has cooled off considerably over the last two weeks, dropping back-to-back road games at Virginia (24-21) and most recently, Miami- Florida (24-7). Still, Tech is very much in the hunt in the Coastal Division at 3-2, sitting behind only Virginia Tech (3-1).

Johnson hopes the team can move past its recent struggles and still earn double digit wins.

"If you win out, I think that that's very possible. Now, have we dug ourselves a little bit of a whole the last few weeks? You'd be lying if you didn't say you had, but you've got to flush it and move on. There's a lot to play for and like I said we're 6 and 2. I don't think very many people said we'd be 6-2 at this point to begin with."

Dabo Swinney's Tigers are sitting atop the Atlantic Division standings at a perfect 5-0. In fact, Clemson is one of just eight unbeaten teams left in the FBS ranks, moving to 8-0 on the season with last weekend's 59-38 win over North Carolina. The team now sits at fifth in the BCS poll, its highest ranking ever.

Swinney recognizes what the team has accomplished thus far, but knows there is plenty of work still left to do.

"I love being 8-0; I'd rather be 8-0 than 4-4. It's great for Clemson. It's great for the Clemson brand and our program, but it has nothing to do with beating Georgia Tech. We have a division championship, a state championship and an ACC championship left to cross off our list. We have to accomplish all of that first before we can talk about the BCS. Our guys really understand that. We're just trying to beat Georgia Tech and get to 9-0."

Georgia Tech holds a 49-25-2 series advantage and is a dominant 42-13-2 at home against Clemson. The Yellow Jackets have won three of the last four meetings, but it was the Tigers that prevailed in last season's clash in Death Valley, 27-13.

The Tigers are one of the most explosive offensive teams in the country and come into this game ranked 12th in the nation in scoring (40.6 ppg) and 15th in passing (303.6 ypg) and total offense (482.5 ypg).

The team has a dynamic signal-caller in sophomore Tahj Boyd, who is coming off a huge performance against the Tar Heels, where he threw for 367 yards and five TDs, adding a sixth score on the ground.

On the year, Boyd has completed 61.9 percent of his passes, for 2,379 yards, with 24 TDs against just three INTs. He is also responsible for four of the team's 14 rushing TDs to date.

It helps to have playmakers on the outside and in the backfield. Youngster Sammy Watkins may be the best freshman in the nation, as he leads the team in receptions (54), receiving yards (819) and TD catches (9). Fellow wideout DeAndre Hopkins (37 receptions, 510 yards, four TDs) is another option downfield. Tailback Andre Ellington handles the bulk of the carries and is averaging just over 93 yards per game. He has scored half of the team's touchdowns on the ground (7).

The Tigers have given up some yardage on the ground this season (169.4 ypg), but have been strong against the pass (208.6 ypg) considering that opponents have to throw early and often to keep pace.

No one had a better performance on the defensive side of the ball than end Kourtnei Brown last weekend against North Carolina, as he scored two touchdowns, one on an interception and one on a fumble recovery, earning National Defensive Player of the Week honors as a result. The play up front has been a strength all season long for Clemson, led by rush end Andre Branch, who paces the team in tackles (51), TFLs (12) and sacks (8).

The Yellow Jackets need to find their offensive groove once again. When the triple option is working to perfection, Georgia Tech is a force to be reckoned with. However, the team struggled for the second straight week and was held to a season-low 134 yards rushing and a mere 211 yards of total offense against the Hurricanes.

Despite that, the numbers on the year are still impressive, with the team ranked fifth in the nation in rushing (321.1 ypg) and 17th in scoring (38.4 ypg). The ground attack is obviously the driving force on offense and has already resulted in a whopping 30 TDs.

Quarterback Tevin Washington is the straw that stirs the drink. He ranks third on the team in rushing at 57.5 ypg) but leads the way with nine TDs. He is joined in the backfield by capable backs like Orwin Smith (516 yards, 12.3 ypc, eight TDs) and David Sims (496 yards, 5.7 ypc, three TDs).

Washington isn't much of a passer, completing just under 50 percent of his throws (.484), although he does have 10 TD passes to his credit. Stephen Hill is certainly the best receiver on the squad, with 18 receptions, for an impressive 561 yards and four TDs.

The Tech defense plays second fiddle in Atlanta. Despite strong play against the pass (170.1 ypg), the team has struggled to stop the run (170.9 ypg).

Junior linebacker Julian Burnett is the most productive defender to date, leading the team in tackles with 73 and TFLs with 5.5. Defensive backs Isaiah Johnson (41 tackles) and Rod Sweeting (35 tackles) are next in line in terms of stops and share the team lead in INTs with three apiece.

Swinney knows the importance of this contest.

"We are looking forward to another big challenge this Saturday night. This is a rivalry game, a game where you can throw out everything else and just get excited about the game. This is an especially tough game on the road. We know what to expect with Georgia Tech and they probably know what to expect with us."

The Yellow Jackets are in a bit of a funk and that doesn't bode well with the Tigers coming to town. It should be a raucous crowd in Atlanta, but the play of Boyd and company should neutralize the hometown advantage in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 41, Georgia Tech 34