Georgia Tech vs Clemson: A Rivalry That's the South's Best Kept Secret

We all know about the SEC's great rivalries between Florida and Tennessee, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama and LSU. Though it's lost it's luster Florida State and Miami is still a prime time game. Then you've got the in state rivalries like Georgia and Georgia Tech, Clemson and South Carolina, and Alabama and Auburn.

Looking for a rivalry that's been one the South's most competitive and exciting the last decade, but doesn't get the notoriety it deserves? Try the Georgia Tech and Clemson annual matchup that is this Thursday night on ESPN.

This year features what might be the best matchup of Heisman candidates this side of Colt McCoy of Texas and Sam Bradford (hope he's ok) of Oklahoma.

Just about every media outlet has running backs C.J. Spiller of Clemson and Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech in their top 10 of Heisman candidates. This game could be a showcase for either player on national TV.

Did you know both players scored TD's the first time they touched the ball this season? Dwyer scored on a 74-yard run. Spiller scored on a 96-yard kickoff return.

While most of the ACC struggled in their opening games, Georgia Tech cruised over Jacksonville St. 37-17 and Clemson routed Middle Tennessee 37-14.

So what else does this rivalry have?

Let's look at some of the highlights the last 10 years.

1999: Georgia Tech 45, Clemson 42

Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton totals 410 yards in total offense. Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantlzer had 305 yards. Clemson came back from two 17-point deficits.

2000: Georgia Tech 31, Clemson 28

This is the most thrilling game I've ever seen in person. Yellow Jacket receiver Kerry Watkins makes a one-handed catch with seven seconds left, as the Jackets knock off the No. 4 ranked Clemson Tigers.

2001: Clemson 47, Georgia Tech 44 (OT)

The Tigers got revenge for the 2000 game by beating the No. 11 ranked Yellow Jackets in Atlanta. Tommy Bowden called it Clemson's biggest road win in 20 years.

2002: Clemson 24, Georgia Tech 19

Georgia Tech had the ball inside the Clemson 30 with under a minute to play, when Tech quarterback A.J. Suggs threw an interception.

2003: Clemson 39 Georgia Tech 3

One of the few blowouts in this series. Reggie Ball of Georgia Tech stoked the fires after the Jackets beat Auburn and nearly beat No. 10 Florida State, when he stated before the Clemson game that the Jackets wouldn't lose another game that season.

2004: Georgia Tech 28, Clemson 24

I know Clemson fans that still call this "That Game." Georgia Tech rallied from 10 down with under three minutes to play. The Jackets got the ball back when the Tigers long snapper Geoff Rigsby flew the ball over punter Cole Chason's head. The world was introduced to Calvin Johnson as he caught the game winning pass for the Yellow Jackets.

2005: Georgia Tech 10, Clemson 9

Jacket running back P.J. Daniels had 100 yards and two TDs. Dawn Landry intercepted a pass from Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst with three seconds left.

2006: Clemson 31, Georgia Tech 7

The first time in the decade both teams met as top 15 teams. ESPN's gameday was treated to one of its best atmospheres of the year at Death Valley. Clemson rushed for 321 yards behind the running of backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller.

2007: Georgia Tech 13, Clemson 3

The game known for Georgia Tech running Tashard Choice's passionate pre-game speech below. The Jackets knock off the No. 13 Clemson Tigers. The Tigers were held to 228 total yards.

2008: Georgia Tech 21, Clemson 17

Another tight exciting game. This was Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney's debut. Clemson drives into Yellow Jacket territory, but Jacket Morgan Burnett intercepted Tiger QB Cullen Harper with less than 10 seconds to play.

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