FACTS & STATS: Site: Clemson Memorial Stadium (80,301) -- Clemson, South Carolina. Television: ESPN/ESPN2. Home Record: Georgia Tech 4-0, Clemson 3-1. Away Record: Georgia Tech 1-1, Clemson 0-1. Neutral Record: Georgia Tech 0-0, Clemson 0-1. Conference Record: Georgia Tech 2-1, Clemson 1-2. Series Record: Georgia Tech leads, 46-24-2.

GAME NOTES: The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets need just one more win to earn bowl eligibility, and they will take on the Clemson Tigers on Saturday in ACC action. Georgia Tech hasn't gotten a great deal of national attention so far this season, but the team is off to a strong 5-1 start. The Yellow Jackets have won their last three outings, including a closer-than-expected 10-7 triumph over FCS foe Gardner-Webb last weekend. Considering that the Jackets beat Mississippi State and Duke by a combined scored of 65-7 in the previous two outings, it is important not to judge Tech on the shaky offensive showing against the Bulldogs. As for Clemson, it has suffered back-to-back defeats to fall to 3-3 overall, surprising for a team that was expected to be a major contender for the ACC title. As a result, Tommy Bowden was fired as head coach on Monday, and receivers coach Dabo Swinney takes over on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. Bowden, who signed a big extension after the 2007 season, was 72-45 during his career at Clemson. The Tigers are 1-2 in conference after falling to Wake Forest on the road last week, 12-7. Georgia Tech holds a commanding 46-24-2 series lead over Clemson, including wins in three of the last four meetings.

Georgia Tech is averaging 25.3 ppg and 376.5 total ypg, solid numbers for a team that relies heavily on its ground attack to move the ball and score points. In fact, 255.0 ypg are generated via the run, and 15 of the team's 19 offensive touchdowns have been of the rushing variety. Josh Nesbitt has taken the majority of the snaps this season at quarterback, but he did miss the game against Gardner-Webb with a hamstring injury. His backup, Jaybo Shaw, was also held out of action because of a concussion, leaving the quarterback duties to third-stringer Calvin Booker. Completing just 3-of-11 passes with a pick, Booker struggled, but his 79-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Dwyer in the second quarter proved key to the win. Dwyer, who has rushed for 575 yards and four touchdowns this season, was held in check aside from that big play. Tech finished with nine first downs and 199 total yards, and a much better effort will be needed this week. Fortunately, Nesbitt figures to be back in action.

Strong defense has been an obvious key to the success of the Yellow Jackets so far this season. Tech is surrendering only 10.7 ppg and 255.5 total ypg, impressive to say the least. The club has only yielded seven touchdowns to opposing offenses in six outings. Also, Georgia Tech is holding opponents to 3.1 rushing ypc and 8.0 yards per pass completion. Considering the fact that Tech has generated 19 sacks and 13 takeaways, there has been no shortage of big plays made. Morgan Burnett leads the Yellow Jackets with 39 tackles and three interceptions, while teammate Derrick Morgan has already posted 6.5 sacks. Give the Georgia Tech defense plenty of credit for limiting Gardner- Webb to 227 yards and seven points last weekend. The Bulldogs finished with just 74 rushing yards on 44 attempts, an obvious credit to the Yellow Jackets.

Clemson will be led by a new signal caller this weekend, as red-shirt freshman Willy Korn gets the nod against Georgia Tech. Korn replaces Cullen Harper, who has started 19 consecutive games under center for the Tigers. Harper led his squad to a 9-4 record last season while pacing the ACC in pass efficiency and setting 22 school records. Unfortunately, Clemson has lost its last two outings and has scored seven combined points in its last six quarters. Korn has seen action in four games since coming to Clemson, including two this season, and coach Swinney hopes the young quarterback will give the Tigers a much-needed spark. Entering the season, Clemson figured to pound away at opponents with the backfield duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller. Davis finished with a mere 25 yards against Wake Forest, while Spiller rushed for just 10 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury. Spiller's status for this tilt is unclear, but Davis is capable of carrying the load if called upon. The bottom line is that Clemson's offense has been one of college football's most disappointing units to date and must improve immediately.

It is hard to fault the Clemson defense for the loss to Wake Forest, as the Tigers were able to limit the Demon Deacons to just 12 points. Sure, Clemson did surrender the decisive touchdown with five-and-a-half minutes remaining on the game clock, but the overall effort was strong. Wake was able to gain 342 total yards in the clash, but the Tigers also seemed to tighten when necessary. Considering that opponents are averaging 15.3 ppg and 320.5 total ypg against Clemson, it is fair to say that the defense has played well this season. Foes are averaging fewer than 10 yards per pass completion against the Tigers, who are surrendering 3.5 yards per rushing attempt. There is room for improvement, however, as Clemson has only six sacks and one fumble recovery to its credit. Keep an eye on Michael Hamlin, as he is tied for the team lead with 45 tackles to go along with his three interceptions.

Clemson is desperate for a victory. Don't expect too much from Korn, as Davis will likely carry the ball at least 25 times and lead the way for his Tigers.