Clemson Looks to Stop Ga. Tech's Crafty, Infuriating Option Offense

Clemson will play Georgia Tech on Thursday night in Atlanta in an early season match-up of ACC powers which, unlike other teams claiming to be ACC "powers," really are ACC powers. (We're looking at you, Wake Forest.)

Georgia Tech is looking for some intensity following an uneven performance by the Jackets against Jacksonville State where, after an aggressive start, the Jackets fumbled, missed blocks and reads, and still managed a 37-17 win. If they seemed out of sorts from the start, it is because they were, right down to Paul Johnson having to yell at the Ramblin' Wreck's driver to get the show going in pregame.

When Paul Johnson says to go, you go.

On the other side, Clemson plans to lean on their defense against Tech, and has been practicing against their best imitation of the Paul Johnson triple option for much of the offseason in preparation. That's nice and all, but even a team with a stout defensive line can get lost in the weeds of cut-blocking and ball fakes thrown around by the Johnson offense, an attack simultaneously simple in its setup and endlessly complex in the way it can gut you for serious yardage on the ground.

Whatever happens for Clemson, the D-lineman with the most sacks does win something: Ruby Tuesday's. In other news, Clemson, South Carolina needs to get new chain restaurants opened up, and opened up fast, if the prize meal is Ruby Tuesday's.