The Clemson Insider has gone through and analyzed every team in Clemson’s 2016 regular season to find the toughest matchups the Tigers will face. The result? A calculated ranking of every team Clemson plays from easiest to hardest.
Where a team ranks depends on a couple main characteristics like last season’s outcome, prior meetings with Clemson, returning and departing talent, recruiting and changes within coaching staffs.
We continue our ranking with the No. 2 opponent: Georgia Tech (Thursday, Sept. 22 – Bobby Dodd Stadium)
Last meeting: Clemson defeated Georgia Tech 43-24 at Memorial Stadium last season. Clemson’s defense was able to shut down the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack by holding them to just 71 rushing yards. They had gone into the matchup at Clemson as the ACC’s leader in rushing offense.
Last season: Georgia Tech spent the 2015 season burdened by injuries, ending the year with a 3-9 record. However, its only victory in the ACC came over previously undefeated Florida State.
Coaching Staff: Paul Johnson is entering his ninth season as head coach and he holds a 61-44 record in his time there. However, last season was the worst record he has recorded at Georgia Tech and the worst record he has had in his head-coaching career since 2002.
Returning: Quarterback Justin Thomas returns after completing 75 of 180 passes for 1,345 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He was also the team’s second highest rusher with 488 yards and six touchdowns. A-backs Marcus Marshall and Clinton Lynch will return after leading Georgia Tech to become the No. 8 team in the country in rushing offense. Marshall led the team with 654 yards and four touchdowns in 86 carries, while Lynch averaged 9.5 yards per carry. The Yellow Jackets will also return B-back Marcus Allen and will gain back C.J. Leggett who missed the entire 2015 season with an injury. Georgia Tech also returns leading tackler P.J. Davis.
Additions: The 2016 signing class did not land major stars, but the Yellow Jackets added Rivals four-star defensive end Jordan Woods. A-Back J.J. Green transferred to Georgia Tech from Georgia, and cornerback Lamont Simmons from Southern Cal made the move to Atlanta as well.
Subtractions: The offensive line has to replace three starters in 2016 including left tackle Bryan Chamberlain, left guard Trey Braun, and right tackle Errin Joe. The Yellow Jackets also lost most of the starting secondary after graduating four seniors. Georgia Tech’s defensive line lost All-ACC tackle Adam Gotsis as well.
Why this game ranks where it does: Clemson has a history of not winning in Atlanta. Georgia Tech leads Clemson 50-28-2 in the all-time series, and over half of those 80 matchups have taken place in Atlanta since the two teams first met in 1898. In the past 20 years, Clemson has only won two games on Georgia Tech’s home turf, but has won six of those matchups in Death Valley. The last time Clemson won in Bobby Dodd Stadium was in 2003. However, Clemson was able to shut down Johnson’s offense last season with 11 tackles for loss. The Tigers may have lost both starting defensive ends, but the front seven is a strong unit that has experience defending the triple-option. This matchup will be a vital aspect of the game.