Clemson Vs Georgia Tech: The Early Prediction

The first game of the year for both teams, there will be no happy ending for the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech.

Clemson rolls into Mercedes-Benz stadium on a mission to put 2021 behind them and show college football that their 10-3 “down year” was just a hiccup.

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei did not play up to fans’ and media expectations last year, no one knows this better than himself. He will look to rebound with a better, healthier cast around him. Several wide receivers missed significant playing time and they look to return to give DJ more weapons to target. WR’s Joseph Ngata, EJ Williams, Will Taylor, and Robbie Spector all return to the field and are ready to produce. Dacari and Beaux Collins return for their sophomore years to give the Tigers a deep WR room.

The offensive line was a detriment during the first seven weeks of 2021, but settled down and played solidly during the Tigers season ending 6-game winning streak. Coach Thomas Austin will build on the late season success and will have his road graders ready to pave the way for the three-headed monster at running back.

Last year, the Tigers eeked out a 14-8 after holding a 14-3 lead with less than two minutes to play in the game. This year will be a different story.

Defensively, Clemson will have one of the best units in the country, led by DE Myles Murphy and a very stout defensive line, and backed up by LB

Trenton Simpson and a talented back seven. QB Jeff Sims is not going to know what hit him.
While the Jackets will suffer offensively, they do return some nice pieces on the defense, led by linebackers Charlie Thomas and Ayinde Eley. While the Yellow Jackets took advantage of the Tigers having offensive woes early last year, they won’t be so lucky this time.

QB Jeff Sims is the starter at quarterback after having an up and down year. He was lifted as starter after the Miami game after three straight losses. The Yellow Jackets ended the season on a six-game losing streak, including getting outscored 100-0 the last two games against Notre Dame and Georgia. Sims threw for 1,468 yards with 12 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in his six starts. He added 371 yards on the ground with four more touchdowns.

The Yellow Jackets were really involved in the transfer portal, something Clemson pretty much stays away from. They lost their TOP player to Alabama, RB Jahmyr Gibbs after rushing for 746 yards and four touchdowns. He managed 30 yards on 11 carries against the Tigers last year. The lead returning rusher is Dontae Smith, who rushed for 378 yards and four touchdowns. Former Louisville running back Hassan Hall will be in the mix for playing time early.

GT has brought in at least 18 new transfers, including three along the offensive line. This group includes former Clemson player Paul Tchio and former Alabama lineman Pierce Quick. How long will it take their offensive line to gell? The projected starting five has exactly 18 starts on their resume and 17 of those are by returning LT Jordan Williams. Going up against this talented and deep group in the first game will not turn out well for Sims and the Yellow Jackets.

Getting to the meat of the prediction, the Tigers should come out firing on all cylinders and put the game away by halftime. Last year, DJ and the offense was pretty much thwarted. This Clemson offensive line will be much improved this year, Will Shipley and Kobe Pace will have big days,

and expect to see a more mobile DJU. Talented Cade Klubnik will get his first collegiate snaps and the “quarterback controversy” officially begins.

The only real weapon on GT is Sims, and he can hurt you on the quarterback run, but Clemson’s linebackers are fast and have a nose for the ball. It’s not going to be pretty for GT fans attending the game.

Clemson 41 Georgia Tech 7