The Beginnings Of The Clemson-Georgia Tech Rivalry

The Clemson-Georgia Tech rivalry stretches all the way back to 1898. The teams played the first two games at neutral sites. They played in Atlanta for the first time in 1902. The teams next 41 games were played at Georgia Tech. It’s why Clemson takes issue with Georgia Tech’s 50-34-2 edge in the series. When asked why Clemson always traveled to Georgia Tech to take on the Yellow Jackets then Clemson Head Coach Frank Howard said “‘Well, we had to. We needed the money. Going to Georgia Tech was like playing in a bowl game, it was a good payday for us.'” 

At one point to keep the rivalry going and show a willingness to spend money in Atlanta Clemson fans carried two dollar bills stamped with a tiger paw to the game. Finally in 1977 Georgia Tech agreed to a home-and-home series and travelled to Death Valley for the first time. Clemson won that game, 31-14.

Tigers-Yellow Jackets Hits Its Peak In ’90s-Aughts

The Clemson-Georgia Tech rivalry peaked from 1990-2009. Every year the games came down to the wire, with all but four of the 20 games decided by five points or less. Georgia Tech holds 12-8 edge in wins those games.

The biggest game came when the two teams met in Tampa for the 2009 ACC Championship. Georgia Tech won 39-34 despite the best efforts of Clemson’s CJ Spiller. Spiller’s 301 all-purpose yards made him a worthy MVP, despite Clemson losing.

Can The Rivalry Regain The Excitement It Had?

Since 2010 Clemson has won all but two of the games. Both Georgia Tech’s wins came in Atlanta. The Tigers current win streak of seven games is its longest in the series. The rise of Clemson nationally, and Head Coach Dabo Swinney taking over in 2008, changed the Tigers fortunes against Georgia Tech.

Now the question fans ask is whether or not the rivalry can regain the level of anticipation it had decade ago. Clemson travels to Atlanta ranked #4 and expecting to be back in the College Football Playoff. Georgia Tech goes into Monday night’s season opener a 21 point underdog. Yellow Jacket Head Coach Geoff Collins enters the season on the hot seat. While few expect Tech to pull the upset it may take something that unexpected to reignite the interest in the game.

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