Mutual respect marks Clemson-Georgia Tech cross-divisional rivalry

Clemson and Georgia Tech have played some classics since Paul Johnson and Dabo Swinney took over their respective teams in 2008.

In ’08, Swinney’s first ever game as a head coach went down to the wire in Death Valley with the Tigers falling 21-17.

The next season provided two good ones with a late Clemson comeback spoiled by two Scott Blair fourth quarter-field goals after 27 unanswered Tigers’ points in the regular season matchup at Georgia Tech (a 30-27 win for the Yellow Jackets), and an ACC Championship Game shootout in Tampa, Clemson falling again 39-34.

Last season, the game didn’t go to the form of this cross-divisional rivalry, and you won't find Swinney complaining about that as the Tigers contained the Yellow Jackets' rushing attack and won 27-13 in Clemson.

After four meetings in three seasons, Johnson has nothing but compliments for Swinney and the Clemson program, but his view of playing the Tigers regularly changes season to season.

“We have a lot of respect for Clemson,” Johnson said. “They always have great players. It's always a tough, physical game. And we have a great deal of respect for Dabo and that program and what they do.”

Paul Johnson on Clemson rivalry

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“Do I like playing them every year? Some years better than others,” Johnson said while cracking a smile. “You know it’s always a challenge when you line up against them. You know they'll always have good players that come ready to play.”

Johnson recognizes it’s a rivalry that’s only growing.

“Both programs have a lot of tradition. Both are proud of what they've accomplished. We get competitive kids. It's turned into a big game every year,” said Johnson.

Young RB Josh Harris a key to Wake Forest’s success

There weren’t many bright spots for the 2010 Wake Forest football team.

After a 2-0 start, they lost nine consecutive games – bookended by a 68-24 loss at Stanford and 30-10 home defeat to Clemson to a 3-9 record.

But as a freshman, running back Josh Harris gave Deacs coach Jim Grobe glimpses of hope for the future.

Harris rushed for 241 yards at an astounding 12.1 yards per carry on the road at ACC champ Virginia Tech last season. He finished fifth in the ACC in rushing overall.

But Grobe noted staying healthy as a sticking point for the sophomore.

Wake coach Jim Grobe at the ACC Kickoff

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“It’s up to Josh – he’s a kid that’s not very durable from time to time,” Grobe said. “Josh knows he has the ability and potential to be special.”

Harris is one of eight starters back on offense for the Demon Deacons – overall, Wake Forest has the second most starters back in the league.

Combined with a better defensive effort (101st in the country last season in total defense), Grobe, going into his 11th season as Deacs coach, believes Harris is the key to a successful season.

“He can make us a much better football team just like that if he can play every game and carry the football 20-25 times a game,” Grobe said.

Beamer in for the long haul through offseason staff changes

Frank Beamer isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“I got plans to keep doing this awhile for myself,” said Beamer. “I gotta a good organization. I got good coaches. It makes it easy when you have good people around you to be the head coach.”

But the questions for the 63-year-old have come going into his 25th year as head coach of the Hokies and following an offseason that pushed two coaches into the administration in favor of younger coaches – one being Beamer’s son, Shane, after a stint with the Gamecocks.

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer enters his 25th year with the Hokies and defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins is his lone returning starter on the defensive line. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

The other Clemson connection in the mix is QB coach Mike O’Cain’s move to offensive coordinator to better transition sophomore QB Logan Thomas into the offense as a new starter. The last time O'Cain called plays as an offensive coordinator was with the Tigers in 2004.

Beamer said the move wasn’t out of dissatisfaction with previous offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, but the necessity of changing the offense to the QB.

Where is Thomas now in his progression?

“I think he’s ready as he can be,” Beamer said. “His preparation is as good as it can be. The best teacher is experience – playing in games.”

Beamer and Thomas hope to carry the ACC banner into a fifth BCS bowl in eight years, and fourth ACC title in five seasons as the preseason Coastal favorite.

Jimbo Fisher beaming with confidence in new QB E.J. Manuel

FSU's Jimbo Fisher at ACC Kickoff

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We’ve covered E.J. Manuel’s experience and confidence in his Seminoles a couple days ago, and his coach, Jimbo Fisher, is willing to talk up his junior QB to anybody who will listen.

Fisher on the unusual situation of being a preseason ACC favorite with a new QB: “I feel very good about it. You put your head on the pillow at night – some guys, you still in the back of your mind hope they can play. I know he’s got the talent – I know he’s practiced well – I hope he can play, but I know he (Manuel) can because I saw him as a freshman and sophomore do it.”