Clemson Football: Georgia Tech Preview

Georgia Tech and Clemson are both looking to secure a bowl berth as they face off at noon in Death Valley (ABC).

Georgia Tech (5-4, 4-2) entered with an outside shot of making it to the ACC Championship for the first time since 2014, something that didn't even seem like a remote possibility prior to the season. No. 11 Louisville's win over Virginia on Thursday night eliminated the Yellow Jackets from the ACC race, but the job that Brent Key has done in his first full year at the helm has been award-worthy. Now, they head to Clemson (5-4, 2-4) looking to secure a bowl berth.

The offense has to feel like a breath of fresh air for Yellow Jacket fans. Georgia Tech boasts the third-best offense in the ACC averaging 33.2 points a game. Also, boasting 465.3 yards a game which ranks second in the ACC. The main reason is the decision maker Haynes King. The Texas A&M transfer is now a quarterback that is among the best in the ACC: first in passing touchdowns with 22, third in yards - 2,330, and fifth in completion percentage at 63.3. 

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key / The ACC

Another big reason as to why this offense has vastly improved is redshirt sophomore running back Jamal Haynes. Haynes is 5th in the ACC in rushing yards with 664 yards on the ground. He's a threat out of the backfield as well, posting multiple receptions in six out of nine games played for the Yellow Jackets. The wide receiver duo of Eric Singleton Jr. (33 Rec, 552 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns) and Malik Rutherford (37 Rec, 432 receiving yards, 3 TDs) will pose a challenge for the secondary of Clemson which is dealing with some injuries.

Since Brent Key became the head coach at Georgia Tech, his team is 6-1 on the road in ACC play. That speaks volumes to the culture that's being built in Atlanta. In the Geoff Collins Era, the Yellow Jackets struggled to find connection and consistent effort. Brent Key has installed a culture in which players give it their all and revamped this Tech team. This team could potentially make a bowl for the first time since 2018. Key was brought into a situation that looked like a dumpster fire but has made the best of what he had and went out on the recruiting trail, getting high-level transfers and impact freshmen that have made this team a competitor.