Bodog Week 8 College Football Preview

The Clemson gameplan for defeating Georgia Tech this weekend is a simple one - stop number 21. Stop Calvin Johnson.

But executing that plan won’t be easy.

"He is getting the ball more and the offense is structured for getting him the ball," Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice told the Ledger-Enquirer. "He is the best receiver in the nation, so having him go out there and catch the ball opens up more things for us on offense. Defenses have to play him differently than most. It's key to see how they play No. 21."

The good news for Clemson fans? The Tigers lead the ACC in pass defense (giving up only 164.3 yards per game). The bad news? At 6-5, 235 pounds with 4.32 speed and a 45-inch vertical, Johnson is a matchup nightmare. At times, watching Clemson try to defend Johnson will be like watching Earl Boykins man-up on Shaquille O'Neal.

"The biggest thing is his height, speed, and size - you don't see a lot of receivers that big," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said during his Tuesday press conference. "He's a top-five or top-10 first-round draft pick, and you expect him to make some plays. He's a game-changer and momentum-changer."

This season Johnson has dominated opponents, hauling in 35 receptions for 559 yards and eight touchdowns (tops in the ACC), with most of his production coming over the past three games. He burned Virginia for 165 yards and two touchdowns on five catches, posted 115 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia Tech and jumped over Maryland for 133 yards and a score. Those big numbers have given him some early Heisman buzz, and has made him the target of every corner looking to improve his draft stock.

"He’s killing everyone," Clemson cornerback C.J. Gaddis told the Anderson Independent-Mail. "Why not have a bulls-eye on him. I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity to play someone of that caliber. He’s going to get my best shot like he’s going to get everybody’s best shot. It’s exciting to be put up to the task."

This won't be the first time the Tigers face off with the All-Conference receiver - Clemson has both shutdown and been shut up by Johnson in the past. He had his first "force to be reckoned with" game against the Tigers in 2004, grabbing eight passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning catch in the end zone with 11 seconds remaining.

But in 2005, Clemson's physical double-teaming locked Johnson down. While the Jackets ended up winning the game 10-9, Johnson was held to four catches for 46 yards, his fourth-lowest output of the season.

"He didn’t do much last year," Clemson cornerback Duane Coleman told the Anderson Independent-Mail. "That’s going to make him even more fired up to want to come in here and perform big, and we know that."

Another showing like 2005 will be the key to a Clemson victory. The Yellow Jackets are 3-1 against the spread when Johnson tops 100 yards.

"You can’t be chasing," Gaddis said. "You’ve got to be back on the deep ball, you’ve got to take away the most dominating part of his game. That’s the only chance you’ve really got at him."

Quick Hits

The No. 17 Nebraska Cornhuskers could send shockwaves through the Big 12 by defeating the No. 5 Texas Longhorns, allowing them to take over the number one spot in the conference.

"Of course we want to be in Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium playing for the Big 12 Championship, and this is a team that we're probably going to see down there," Nebraska running back Cody Glenn told reporters. "If we can beat them this time, we know what we need to do to beat them and we can beat them again."

The Cornhuskers come in as home dogs in the contest, which is understandable since Nebraska is 1-4-1 ATS and 1-5 straight up against the Longhorns over their last six games.

The Big Ten collision course with Ohio State draws nearer as the second-ranked Michigan Wolverines face another Big Ten opponent – the Iowa Hawkeyes - on Saturday.

Although the Wolverines have attained their highest AP ranking since winning the national championship in 1997, they shouldn’t hit the snooze button against the Hawkeyes. The Wolverines are only 2-5 ATS in their last seven against Iowa.

"You see it [the AP rankings] on TV, and you think: 'We're finally getting the recognition we're supposed to get,'” Michigan linebacker Prescott Burgess told reporters. "We also have to remember that we're out there and the season's not over. You can always drop by a loss.''

TOP PHOTO: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is Georgia Tech's unstoppable weapon on offense. (AP Photo)

Note: All NCAA football lines subject to change.

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