Can Clemson handle GT's triple option?

Clemson faces old rival Georgia Tech on Saturday in a key ACC game, and the big question is whether the Tigers' struggling defense can stop the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense. Let's hope they can.

CONFIDENCE GAME: Clemson is gaining confidence after the tough loss to Florida State two weeks ago.

HOW TECH WINS: Strike quickly.

HOW CLEMSON WINS: Outscore the Jackets. No, seriously.

TROUBLE SPOTS: Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington is a big one.

IT'S DEATH VALLEY AGAIN: Clemson is 22-3 at home since a home loss to Georgia Tech in 2008 -- Dabo Swinney's first game as coach.

Notre Dame saves the ACC, schedulewise?

Thanks to the addition of Notre Dame to the league, the ACC has abandoned plans for a nine-game conference schedule. According to the Orange and White, that means that Clemson can now play a high-quality opponent (*cough* Georgia *cough*) every year instead of, oh, Duke.

Sounds good to me.

Tigers lead ACC in five stat categories

Stats entertainment! Clemson is No. 1 in the ACC in interceptions, third-down conversions, fourth-down conversions and turnover margin, and Andre Ellington leads the league in rushing.

WATKINS RETURNS: Sammy Watkins returned to practice this week and will play against Georgia Tech after his "scary" illness kept him out against Boston College.

GAME TIME: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech goes off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday on ESPN.

Clemson 45, BC 31: I'll take it

I guess this season is just going to be a roller-coaster, if Saturday's 45-31 victory over Boston College is any indication. We can't be stopped offensively, but we can't really stop anybody, either. Could be fun. And again -- Sammy who? Sammy Watkins missed the game with a stomach ailment, and DeAndre "Nuke" Hopkins stepped up and had a record-setting day -- 11 catches, 197 yards and a touchdown.

THE TURNING POINT: Tahj Boyd's big TD pass to Hopkins.

WATKINS' MEDICAL CONDITION: It was "very scary."

DABO SPEAKS: Says the defense grew up. Really?

GAME NOTES: Items of interest.

PLAYER NOTES:  Nuggets of knowledge.

UP IN THE POLLS: Clemson is now 15th in both major polls after Saturday's win.

FSU 49, Clemson 37: Defensive debacle

Despite a decent offensive showing, Clemson couldn't stop Florida State in any manner en route to a 49-37 loss on Saturday night in Tallahassee. The Tigers (3-1, 0-1) gave up a whopping 667 yards of offense, and they seemed to have problems doing basic, middle-school-level things, like tackling.

The loss puts Clemson in a big hole in the ACC Atlantic Division race. The team must win every remaining league game and hope the Seminoles lose twice. Based on Saturday's results, good luck with that.

NONEXISTENT DEFENSE: Brent Venables takes the blame.

THE TURNING POINT: I guess the 35-3 run FSU put together to finish the game was a "turning point."

DABO SPEAKS: "It's a tough loss."

POLL PLUNGE: Clemson dropped from 10th to 17th following the loss.

Five things to watch with Clemson-FSU

Orange and White breaks down tonight's big game between Clemson and Florida State. Bottom line: Special teams might be the decider in what could be an offensive shootout.

Clemson-FSU: A 'season-shaping' showdown

The biggest Clemson game in years is a little more than 24 hours away, and Orange and White says the showdown with Florida State will go a long way toward determining what kind of season the Tigers have. You think?

IN THE BALANCE: Florida State's offense is powered by a balanced attack of rushing and passing.

SEMINOLE TROUBLE SPOTS: Key players to watch in red and gold.

ADVANTAGE SEMINOLES: How they can win.

ADVANTAGE TIGERS: How they can win.

Clemson-FSU will be a top 10 showdown

Next Saturday's marquee matchup between Clemson and Florida State will be a showdown of two teams in the top 10.

Sunday's new football polls show the Tigers moving up to No. 9, while the Seminoles are ranked fourth.

Clemson 41, Furman 7: Watkins returns in style

Yawn, again. Clemson walloped an overmatched Furman squad 41-7 on Saturday in Death Valley in a game that saw the return of star receiver Sammy Watkins.

BOYD'S BIG DAY: Clemson's quarterback had another 300-yard game, but he faced some stiff competition from Furman signal caller Reese Hannon.

'SPORADIC' DEFENSE: The Tigers will have to play much better next Saturday against Florida State, says defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

DABO SPEAKS: Clemson's coach on the game.

NOTES: This & that.