Clemson vs Georgia Tech
Overview
- Date: Monday, September 5, 2022
- Time: TBD
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- TV: TBD
The Clemson Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets open the 2022-23 season on Labor Day at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game in Atlanta, Georgia. The matchup will be the 88th contest in the rivalry's history, with Georgia Tech leading the all-time series 51-34-2. The Tigers have won 9 out of the last 10 matchups between the two teams, including seven wins in a row dating back to 2015.
Recent Matchups
- September 18, 2021: Clemson 14, Georgia Tech 8
- October 17, 2020: Clemson 73, Georgia Tech 7
- August 29, 2019: Clemson 52, Georgia Tech 14
- September 22, 2018: Clemson 49, Georgia Tech 21
- October 28, 2017: Clemson 24, Georgia Tech 10
2021-22 Clemson Tigers season recap
In the first season without Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, it was no secret that the Tigers' offense would take a step back from the previous season; however, not many expected it to take several steps back. In his first season as the full-time starter, QB D.J. Uiagalelei was among the odds on favorites to win the Heisman Trophy going into the season. By the end of the year, Uiagalelei would throw for only 2,246 yards and 9 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, and the Tigers needed a 6-game win streak to finish the season with a record of 10-3.
On the defensive side of the ball the Tigers continued to be one of the best groups in the country, ranking only second to National Champion Georgia in terms of points allowed per game, at just 15.8. Following the season, Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables would go on to take the Head Coach job Oklahoma and Offensive Coordinator Tony Elliot would go on to take the Head Coach job at Virginia.
2021-22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets season recap
The Yellow Jackets remained near the bottom of the standings in the 2021-22 season, finishing with a record of 3-9 overall. The team has gone 9-25 in three seasons under Head Coach Geoff Collins, who is turning to the transfer portal for answers going into the next season.
Along with former Clemson quarterback Taisun Phommachanh, Tech brought in former 1,000 yard rusher Dylan McDuffie and offensive coordinator Chip Long from Notre Dame to revamp the offense. On defense, the portal has brought in former Maryland cornerback Kenny Bennett and former Auburn Cornerback Eric Reed, who will look to improve one of the worst defenses in the country from last season.
Biggest Question for Each Team
Clemson: How will Dabo Swinney's team perform under new coordinators?
Assuming that D.J. Uiagalelei can perform better this season, the question mark now moves towards how the Tigers will perform under new Offensive Coordinator Brandon Streeter and new Defensive Coordinator Wes Goodwin. With the individual talent good enough to make any team competitive for a National Championship, the coaching staff's ability to put it all together will be the deciding factor in whether or not the Tigers are competing in the College Football Playoff come January.
Georgia Tech: Can the defense improve from last year's miserable performance?
Tech's defense ranked 117th out of 130 FBS teams in college football last season. Defensive Coordinator Andrew Thacker has been busy recruiting and bringing in guys from the transfer portal, but a lot is still unknown as to whether the new pickups will be enough to improve on last season's poor defense.
Early Betting Odds
According to Fanduel Sportsbook, Clemson is heavily favored to win the season opener.
- Clemson -20.5 (-115)
- Georgia Tech +20.5 (-105)
SportsRec Prediction
Clemson 35, Georgia Tech 3.
The Tigers have had Tech's number in recent years, and that trend seems likely to continue to start the season. Look for D.J. Uiagalelei and Clemson's offense to put up numbers against an outmatched Yellow Jacket defense, and for Clemson's defense to start off the season with another dominating performance against the Georgia Tech offense.