Clemson to test Georgia Tech's strong running game

ATLANTA -- The most revealing plays of Saturday's matchup of Georgia Tech's running game against Clemson's defense may come on third downs.<br /> <br /> The outcome will help determine which team protects its Atlantic Coast Conference championship hopes.<br /> <br /> It's a matchup of strength against strength.<br /> <br /> Georgia Tech's offense leads the nation in third-down conversions. Clemson has the nation's best defense on third downs.<br /> <br /> The No. 24 Yellow Jackets are second in the nation in rushing. The No. 18 Tigers are second in total defense and fourth against the run.<br /> <br /> Coach Paul Johnson said he can't let Clemson's imposing run defense influence his normal run-first attack in Georgia Tech's spread option offense.<br /> <br /> "We're going to do what we do," Johnson said Tuesday before using clichés to illustrate his point.<br /> <br /> "We'll be successful or they will, but we're not going to throw out the baby with the bath water," he said. "Dance with the one that brung us. That's all I know to do."<br /> <br /> Georgia Tech averages 335.6 yards rushing per game. Clemson allows an average of only 90.9 yards rushing.<br /> <br /> Johnson said his offense must continue to avoid third-and-long plays. The Yellow Jackets have converted 70 of 118 third downs for a 59.3 percent success rate that leads the nation. Clemson's defense is No. 1 by allowing first downs on only 23.2 percent of third-down plays.<br /> <br /> Georgia Tech avoids difficult third-down situations by averaging 6.1 yards per carry. On the rare third-and-long plays, the option offense keeps defenses guessing.<br /> <br /> "We haven't been in a lot of third and longs because of the nature of what we do," Johnson said. "The nature of the offense, for a lot of teams third and 6 is a passing down. Not so much for us. ... It limits blitzes. We've had some success running the ball against blitzes. ... It makes the other team a little hesitant to jump in nickel and dime (packages), and all that stuff."<br /> <br /> Georgia Tech's productive running game will be boosted by the return of former starting running back Zach Laskey, who missed three games with a shoulder injury. Johnson said Synjyn Days will start against Clemson and share carries with Laskey.<br /> <br /> Days, a senior, ran for a career-high 157 yards with a touchdown in last week's 56-23 win at North Carolina State. It was his third straight 100-yard game, but he said he was "a little" surprised Laskey wasn't returning as the starter.<br /> <br /> "I guess coach has been pleased with my performance lately," Days said. "But I'm pretty sure we're going to rotate because Zach is a great player. We both have great skill sets that I think will work well with each other."<br /> <br /> Georgia Tech (8-2, 5-2 ACC) is one game behind Duke in the Coastal Division. Clemson (7-2, 6-1) is chasing Florida State in the Atlantic Division.<br /> <br /> Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Georgia Tech will be "our most difficult challenge defensively, for sure."<br /> <br /> "They're executing at a high level," Swinney said. "They're always tough. They're always in the top 10 in rushing every year."<br /> <br /> Quarterback Justin Thomas leads the Yellow Jackets with 781 yards rushing. Thomas has 14 touchdown passes - the high mark for any quarterback in Johnson's seven years.<br /> <br /> "Their quarterback is really playing at a high level, making good decisions and is a really good runner," Swinney said. "I don't think he gets enough credit for his ability to throw the ball. They have made some big plays in the passing game."<br /> <br /> Backup quarterback Tim Byerly leads Georgia Tech with seven rushing touchdowns - one on every 6.4 carries.