Georgia Tech-Clemson

My dear Alaska friend Emily, a Clemson fan, commented in response to the "Death Valley Memories" post that I should talk about the Tech-Clemson series in Atlanta. While I have only missed one Tech-Clemson game in Clemson over the last 10 years, I've made far fewer games in Atlanta (just 2005 and 2007). But the rivalry is still great and the games close and exciting. Whether the games are played at Howard Field in Memorial Stadium or at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field, you are going to get some awesome football!

A few notes on what I consider to be the most competitive rivalry in the ACC:

- Georgia Tech leads the overall series 42-24-2

- The last 10 years, Tech leads 6-4. GT has won won 4 of the last 5 (including last Saturday's game)

- There have only been two blowouts in the series in the past 10 years and Clemson won both: 39-3 on 2003 and 31-7 in 2006

- Besides the two games above and Tech's 13-3 victory in 2007, all games since 1996 have been decided by 5 or fewer points.

Here's a summary of the series (thanks to Ken Sugiura and Larry Hartstein of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution):

2007: Tech 13, Clemson 3 (at Tech)—- Tech hands No. 13 Tigers their first loss; Clemson misses four field goals.

2006: Clemson 31, Tech 7 —- Doug-lass High grad James Davis has 216 rushing yards, two touchdowns in meeting of top 15 teams.

2005: Tech 10, Clemson 9 —- The Jackets twice deny Clemson deep in their own territory in the fourth quarter.

2004: Tech 28, Clemson 24 —- Calvin Johnson’s two touchdown catches in final two minutes erase 10-point deficit.

2003: Clemson 39, Tech 3 —- Largest margin in the series since 1944.

2002: Clemson 24, Tech 19 —- Late interception of A.J. Suggs spoils comeback try.

2001: Clemson 47, Tech 44 (OT) —- Woody Dantzler’s touchdown run ends it as Tigers upset No. 9 Jackets.

2000: Tech 31, Clemson 28 —- Kerry Watkins makes one-handed TD grab with 7 seconds left in upset of No. 4 Tigers.

1999: Tech 45, Clemson 42 —- Joe Hamilton smokes Tigers for 410 yards of offense, five touchdown passes.

1998: Tech 24, Clemson 21 —- Hamilton leads last-minute comeback capped by Joe Burns’ touchdown run.

1997: Tech 23, Clemson 20 —- Harvey Middleton’s diving 39-yard catch sets up Brad Chambers’ game-winning kick.

1996: Clemson 28, Tech 25 —- Raymond Priester’s 175 rushing yards lift Clemson.