Buzz or Bust: Georgia Tech Prepares for Clash with Clemson on the Flats

ATLANTA – For the first time in five years, Georgia Tech hosts ACC rival and No. 11 Clemson at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday at high noon.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The Yellow Jackets have a chance to prove themselves this weekend, as the Clemson Tigers roll into the ATL, to the Jackets’ campus this time. A matchup where the Tigers have had control in recent years, but with an opportunity for Georgia Tech to steal a win and take a BIG step forward in the right direction, under head coach Brent Key.

This key matchup between the Yellow Jackets and Tigers has a chance to really draw attention for both of these teams, as the Yellow Jackets are 2-0 and the Tigers are 1-1. Although records and stats never play a key part, until Toe Meets Leather on the Flats.

The game, set to kick off at noon, will be a whiteout for the Tech fanbase and student section.

Here are my 5 keys to victory for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are poised for a statement game Saturday, which can propel them to national prominence.

It’s put up or shut up time for this scrappy Brent Key bunch.

Here. We. Go.

1. Establish the run game early and punish Clemson’s defense
2. BE AGGRESSIVE!
3. Pressure the QB at all times
4. Play clean on both sides of the ball
5. WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: (Tech has not gotten off to a strong start in games at Colorado or vs. Gardner-Webb).

If Georgia Tech is able to capitalize on each of these and play some clean football, then the Jackets have a shot at winning and potentially even blowing out the preseason darling, Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers.

This will be a big test for the Yellow Jackets, but this is the new norm for the boys in white and gold. Tech knows what it takes, they know how hard it will be, and the Jackets know how high the stakes are.

Coach Brent Key is currently 0-1 against Clemson, dating back to November 11th, 2023, where the Yellow Jackets lost 42-21 in Clemson Memorial Stadium. The two programs did not play in 2024 due to changes in the ACC’s scheduling model, with the additions of Cal, SMU and Stanford to the conference.

Georgia Tech brings a top 10 offense into Saturday’s showdown with Clemson.

Nationally, the Yellow Jackets rank 10th in total offense, averaging 5 yards per game, and also feature top 25 national rankings in rushing offense (21st – 247.5 ypg), passing offense (22nd -300.0 ypg) and passing efficiency (25th – 176.0 rat-ing). The Yellow Jackets also rank just outside of the top 25 in scoring offense (43.0 ppg)

Georgia Tech also holds a 50-36-2 advantage in all-time series between the two programs, but Clemson has ultimately won nine in a row in the series, dominating the Swinney era, while Tech has cycled through coaches.

Quarterback Haynes King, who missed last week’s matchup against Gardner Webb, recovering from a lower-body injury, is trending in the right direction ahead of Saturday, Coach Key said at his weekly presser.

King accounted for 299 total yards and three rushing TDs against Colorado, including the winning touchdown in the final minute of the game. King will play a crucial role on Saturday, along with the one-two punch duo, that includes Jamal Haynes and Malachi Hosley.

Georgia Tech leads the FBS in red zone offense, scoring on 100% of their trips. Clemson will have their hands full with stopping the run and containing Haynes King in the pocket, if he is able to play.

Georgia Tech cornerback Jy Gilmore spoke on the expected environment on Saturday, “I’m super excited. I can’t wait. I lay in bed thinking about it,” said Gilmore.

From Clemson’s side of things, quarterback Cade Clubnik calls Georgia Tech a “great team” and stated that quarterback Haynes King is a “baller.”

While DL Demonte Capehart commented on the Georgia Tech offense: “They’re tough and gritty. Their quarterback is a warrior,” said Capehart.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Georgia Tech, Brent Key, and QB Haynes King: “Brent’s done an amazing job down there. This is a tough, physical, well-coached team. They’re battle-tested, especially with that quarterback. That guy’s a warrior.”

Coach Dabo Swinney also stated, “We’re gonna have to play our best game yet to beat them,” said the two-time national champion.

Safe to say there is a mutual respect on both sidelines going into this game, as each coach has mastered the art of saying a lot by saying a little. Call it coach speak, call it 4D chess or call it good preparation. Regardless, Swinney and Key are locked in on Saturday.