Scouting Georgia Tech: how the Yellow Jackets win...

How the Yellow Jackets win...

1. Settle in, control possession: How's this for a telling stat? Until the Middle Tennessee game, Georgia Tech had allowed just three points, total, in the second and third quarters all season. Why? Because the Yellow Jackets, when they're on top of their game, have done a good job of dictating the flow and tempo of the game, in the process frustrating the opposition. Clemson will be eager to get its hands on the football, and Tech has the ability to get an opponent out of rhythm simply by keeping the football for long periods. On more than one occasion, the Yellow Jackets have eaten up much of a quarter with a single possession.

2. Wield the dagger: Tech's quick-strike capability is a perfect complement to its ground-based, grinding, four-down offense, and after it's proved to be a dagger in the back of the opposition. The Yellow Jackets don't throw the ball much, but when they do, they're big-play dangerous. And the running game is capable of quick strikes as well.

3. Play takeaway: Georgia Tech has been one of the nation's most efficient teams at turning turnovers into points. In their first four games, the Yellow Jackets scored 42 points - all touchdowns - following six of seven forced turnovers. With every possession precious, the Tigers can't afford to be loose with the football.