Georgia Tech has given Clemson everything it can handle and more in recent seasons, but the Tigers beat the Yellow Jackets by a convincing 55-24 margin on Thursday night and looked awfully good doing it. As late as the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets looked like they might hang around long enough to give Clemson a scare, but Georgia Tech could not keep pace with the Tigers' offense on a night in which Tajh Boyd would go on to set several Clemson and ACC records.
Clemson and GT have played 78 times. 55 is the most either has scored on the other since 1903, second most ever (73).
— SB Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) November 15, 2013
There was a scary moment in the third quarter when Tajh Boyd went down with what seemed like a serious injury, but he later returned to the sidelines and was seen throwing the ball around and looking like he wanted to get back in the game. There was no need, though, as the game was already well enough in-hand to give Boyd a rest.
Florida State clinched the ACC Atlantic division by beating Wake Forest last Saturday, but Clemson still has aspirations for an at-large bid in a BCS bowl. The Tigers helped their chances by looking dominant on national television. With the loss, the Yellow Jackets pick up their third conference loss are eliminated from contention in the ACC Coastal.
Box Score Hero: Tajh Boyd completed 20 passes on 26 attempts 340 yards and three touchdowns, moving him past Phillip Rivers as the ACC's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. Boyd carried the ball 15 times for another 43 yards and a touchdown. He completed four passes of 40 yards or more (76, 47, 44, and 41), which is two more than the Arkansas Razorbacks have had all season. And he did all of this in just three quarters.
Rankings Ramifications: Clemson came into the game ranked 8th in the BCS standings. No. 7 Auburn and No. 4 Stanford are the only teams ranked ahead of Clemson that are favored to win by fewer than 13.5 points, so the Tigers are unlikely to move up more than a spot or two.
But Did They Cover? The Tigers were favored by as many as 11 points. They covered with ease.
For More On This Game: For more Tigers football, visit Clemson community Shakin' The Southland. For more on Jackets football, visit Georgia Tech community From The Rumble Seat.
Next Week's Schedule: Clemson hosts The Citadel at Memorial Stadium next Saturday. Georgia Tech returns to Atlanta to take on Alabama A&M.
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