Georgia Tech Football: Over/Unders at Clemson

Over/Under 27.5 Points Allowed by Georgia Tech's Defense

Georgia Tech's defense comes in ranked 14th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game to opponents. Clemson's offense comes in ranked 15th nationally in scoring offense, racking up an average of 39.8 points per game themselves. Basically, something's gotta give. I think one important thing to look at is that Clemson averages 33 points per game against FBS teams with a winning record, and Georgia Tech is allowing 20.7 points per game against that same subset (well, same as much as the nature of scheduling in college football will allow it to be). Last year the Tigers scored 30 points in the first three quarters before opening up for 17 in the fourth. However, that was Al Groh's last weekend as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator. I think this year we see a considerable improvement on last year, but not enough to go under on this line. I think they score something like 30 -- and I'd love nothing more than to be wrong.

Over 27.5 Points Allowed by Georgia Tech's Defense

Over/Under 99.5 Rushing Yards for Clemson's Offense

Clemson comes in rushing for over 170 yards per game, but Georgia Tech's defense ranks 10th nationally, allowing just a shade over 100 yards per game. (You might be seeing a pattern with where I think the key battle will fall.) Clemson has gone for 123 yards or more in every game so far, with that low point coming against Florida State (whose defense is actually 22nd nationally against the run, for what that's worth). In 9 games thus far, 4 teams have gone for 100 yards on Georgia Tech -- Duke, North Carolina, Miami, and BYU -- while the last three games, Syracuse, Virginia, and Pittsburgh have combined to rush for 138 yards total. I think Clemson gets close here, but falls short of three digits and ends up relying on their passing game.

Under 99.5 Rushing Yards for Clemson's Offense

More Rushing Yards: Vad Lee or David Sims?

Last time this type of line was a bit of a nightmare, so to be more clear, this week we're picking straight up on who finishes with more rushing yards. So far, Vad has trumped Sims in the Elon, Duke, BYU, and Syracuse games, while Sims has had the higher total against North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami, Virginia, and Pittsburgh games. Worth noting here is that against Elon and North Carolina, the two were separated by 2 yards in each game, while they've been separated by 16 yards or fewer in 5 out of 9 games. That said, Sims has hit a rhythm lately, and I think he continues building on that -- but you never know what Clemson will do to try and slow our attack down.

To clarify -- PLEASE ANSWER WITH A NAME, LEE OR SIMS. ALL OTHER ANSWERS (including but not limited to "Over" and "Under") WILL BE SCORED AS INCORRECT.

David Sims

Over/Under 299.5 Rushing Yards for Georgia Tech's Offense

You know, it's strange. Clemson always has a ton of talent all over the field, and yet their defense never seems to be much to write home about. This year they come in at 33rd nationally, allowing just over 140 yards per game on the ground. Now take into account that that number jumps up nearly 30 yards per game against FBS teams with winning records, dropping to 50th nationally. Also, in their last 5 games against each other, only once (2010) did Clemson hold the Yellow Jackets to under 300 yards rushing. I think we see more of the same this week.

Over 299.5 Rushing Yards for Georgia Tech's Offense

Over/Under 2.5 Combined Turnovers

Honestly, this one will fall largely on Georgia Tech's ability to hang on to the ball, which has been spotty at times this year. It will also depend on how complete an effort the defense is able to turn in, and how able they are to capitalize on mistakes and openings offered to them by Clemson's offense -- which could be few and far between. I can't explain why, but I feel like this will be a surprisingly clean game for both sides. Maybe you feel differently, but I have a gut feeling that both teams will rise to the occasion and play a mostly mistake-free game.

I also have a gut feeling that I'm going to look like a moron come Friday morning.

Under 2.5 Combined Turnovers

Over/Under 10.5-Point Margin of Victory for Clemson

I get that they're highly-ranked and playing at home, but last year it took a highly productive fourth quarter against a very bad defense to win by 16. If you ask me, this year will be better. Now, I'm not saying we win -- I can't be overly optimistic -- but I think that we keep it close at the very least. It doesn't matter how each team has done so far in the year, they're going to always play each other tough. Honestly, I think this game looks somewhat like 2009's Round One, except with Clemson taking a big lead, Georgia Tech playing catch-up, and Clemson winning on a late field goal. My projection here is Clemson 30, Georgia Tech 27. However, this team always has been and always will be more than capable of upsetting Clemson, and it won't surprise me to see it happen this time if that ends up being the case.

Under 10.5-Point Margin of Victory for Clemson

Season Standings

Please note that in the wake of last week's "Sims-Laskey Debacle", if you did not give a name in your answer and simply answered with "Over" or "Under", I gave you credit because it was not clear on how to answer. No, this is not fair, and yes, I totally gave in to the complaints of the masses. But in the words of Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone, "This is not a Democracy. This is a Dictatorship. I am the law."

You're up, readers. Take your picks!