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Georgia Tech, Clemson meet in huge ACC showdown

Oct 17, 2006 - 7:54 PM No. 13 Georgia Tech (5-1) at No. 12 Clemson (6-1), 7:45 pm EDT

CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) - It turns out that perhaps the biggest game of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference does not include Miami or Florida State after all.

In a matchup of division leaders, No. 13 Georgia Tech invades "Death Valley" to face 12th-ranked Clemson in a key ACC contest.

With the Hurricanes and Seminoles mired in sub-par seasons, the Coastal Division-leading Yellow Jackets are the only team unbeaten in league play, while the Tigers are atop the Atlantic Division at 3-1, including a win over Florida State.

Georgia Tech (5-1, 3-0 Coastal) has not played since a 27-23 win over Maryland on October 7. Quarterback Reggie Ball and Tashard Choice scored fourth-quarter rushing TDs as the Yellow Jackets overcame a nine-point deficit.

The Yellow Jackets, whose five-game winning streak is their longest since 2000, have scored at least 24 points in every game since a season-opening 14-10 loss to Notre Dame.

Clemson (6-1, 3-1 Atlantic) is a missed extra point in overtime away from being unbeaten but still is in the hunt to reach the ACC title game.

The Tigers are coming off a 63-9 demolition of Temple on October 12 in which they scored TDs on their first seven possessions.

James Davis and C.J. Spiller combined to rush for five touchdowns and Will Proctor threw for two scores - all in the first half - to lead Clemson to victory at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Georgia Tech leads the series, 45-23-2, having won two straight meetings and six of the last nine.