him and be physical, Davis said of his approach against Tow

ATLANTA -- For Georgia Tech, its a chance to put to rest all reminders of that dismal 2015 season.Clemson is coming to town.The Yellow Jackets may be unbeaten, but the level of competition -- Boston College, Mercer and Vanderbilt -- isnt enough to lift the cloud that still lingers over this program after last years 3-9 debacle.An upset over the No. 5 Tigers would certainly change that perception.I think were a little better than we were a year ago, coach Paul Johnson said. But this is the most talented team weve played -- by a lot.Georgia Tech (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is hoping the prime-time setting Thursday will rekindle the sort of atmosphere that helped produce the only highlight a season ago.On a raucous night at Bobby Dodd Stadium, the Yellow Jackets shocked mighty Florida State 22-16 when Lance Austin returned a blocked field goal for a 78-yard touchdown as time ran out.It was one of the most memorable plays of the year.It was also Georgia Techs lone ACC victory.We always have, for night games in general, a really good atmosphere, Johnson said. Hopefully well have a good crowd on Thursday night and it will be fun for guys to go out and play.The players are eager to show -- for a national TV audience, no less -- that these Yellow Jackets are more like the 2014 team, which claimed a spot in the ACC title game and won the Orange Bowl.Theres going to be so much yelling and enthusiasm everywhere you turn, defensive end KeShun Freeman promised. If we can focus in and make plays and do what weve got to do, well be very satisfied with the outcome.Coming into its ACC opener, Clemson (3-0) is the defending conference champion and expected to challenge again for a national title. But the Tigers havent looked all that impressive, struggling to beat Auburn and Troy before blowing out South Carolina State in what was little more than a glorified practice .Another lackluster outing could put a huge dent in their championship hopes -- especially with No. 3 Louisville , the hottest team in the country, visiting Death Valley next week for what suddenly looks like a September playoff game.All eyes are going to be on us, said quarterback Deshaun Watson, who sustained a serious knee injury at Georgia Tech two years ago. Weve just got to go out and show what weve got.The Yellow Jackets rank among the top teams in the country in points allowed, surrendering just 10.3 per game. But Clemson poses a challenge at every spot on the field, from Watson at quarterback to Wayne Gallman at running back to a host of speedy receivers.Georgia Tech certainly got a taste of that last season in Clemson, when the Tigers built a 33-10 halftime lead on the way to a 43-24 romp.We were not a very good football team a year ago and they were, Johnson said. I felt sorry for our quarterback (Justin Thomas). It looked like he was the only guy who knew what was going on.Thomas is back for his senior year, leading an offense that is short on plays -- averaging about 61 per game -- but looks to control the clock and tempo with its run-oriented option scheme. That will be vital going against Clemson, which tried to maximize its weapons by getting off as many plays as possible out of a hurry-up spread.Johnson believes his offense could be as good as the one he had two years ago.I think weve got the same kind of skill position guys, he said. Our offensive line should be as good or better. Its more athletic. And weve got the same quarterback.Now, bring on Clemson.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry.---AP Sports Writer Pete Iacobelli in Clemson, South Carolina contributed to this report.---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Andre Dawson Jersey Large . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Custom Marlins T-shirts . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. http://www.custommarlinsjersey.com/ .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Custom Andre Dawson Jersey . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. Marlins Jerseys China .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis exuded an unmistakable swagger as he strode slowly toward the charged-up crowd behind the basket where hed just rolled in an off-balance scoop while being fouled. Then, he exchanged a congratulatory five with Arcade Fire singer Win Butler, who was sitting along the baseline.The Pelicans star wasnt going to be denied -- and neither, for that matter, was the rest of his recently resurgent team.Davis finished with 45 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans won their fourth straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-96 on Wednesday night.Were just playing great and when our crowd is into it like they were in it tonight, it gives us juice, said Davis, who hit 17 of 27 shots that included thunderous dunks, 3-pointers and just about everything in between. My teammates are doing a great job of just finding me and vice versa. Were all just locked in, playing well together, clicking.Terrence Jones scored 17 points for New Orleans, which trailed early in the second half before Davis scored eight points during a 13-2 run that gave the Pelicans the lead for good.Im amazed every time at the shots he makes. You know, hes able to do it with double-teams and triple teams -- MVP performance, guard Tim Frazier said. He just came out there and he led us.New Orleans led by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter and cruised to its sixth victory in eight games. ETwaun Moore added 12 points, and Tim Frazier had 11.Zach LaVine scored 26 for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves lost their third straight.We have to play tougher, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. We are not playing any defense, and if you are not doing that, you cant win.Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng each had 13 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which did not shoot well. Wiggins was 2 for 19 and the Wolves hit only 38 percent (33 of 86) of their shots. New Orleans shot 544 percent (45 of 83).dddddddddddde have to change something, said Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio, who did not score and had five assists. We have to change our mentality.TIP-INSTimberwolves: The Timberwolves opened a three-game road trip by dropping to 1-6 on the road this season. ... Minnesota shot 3 of 17 from 3-point range.Pelicans: The Pelicans are 4-0 since Jrue Holidays return. After scoring at least 15 in each of his first three games, he had seven points and eight assists against Minnesota. ... F Dante Cunningham left the game early in the second quarter. Team officials said he had a left knee bruise.STAR POWERThe game featured a pair of dominant former Kentucky big men in Davis and Towns, but it was the Pelicans who owned the paint, where New Orleans outscored Minnesota 66-44. The Pelicans also outrebounded the Wolves, 45-41.I just tried to get into him and be physical, Davis said of his approach against Towns. I know its tough for me when teams get physical with me. Its tough to get into a groove and get into what you like. So thats all I tried to do, knowing hes a big key to their offense, just try to take him out as much as possible and have other guys beat us.MOMENTUM SWINGSDavis had 12 points in the first seven minutes, including a 12-foot jumper that gave New Orleans a 21-9 lead.But the Timberwolves closed the gap late in the third quarter and surged in front in the second period with a 11-0 run capped by Diengs foul-line jumper as he was fouled by Omer Asik, putting Minnesota up 46-38.New Orleans, however, closed the half on a 10-0 run during which Jones hit two free throws and dunked twice -- once on a put-back of Davis miss -- to put the Pelicans back in front, 53-50.UP NEXTTimberwolves: Visit Phoenix on Friday night.Pelicans: Visit Portland on Friday night. ' ' '