PREVIEW: NO.14 CLEMSON vs. NO.1 GEORGIA

For the second time in four seasons, the Tigers and Bulldogs open the college football season against each other on a neutral field. The last time these two teams faced off, it was a defensive battle in Charlotte and Georgia managed to escape with a 10-3 victory, springboarding the Bulldogs to their first national championship in over 40 years. This matchup is in Atlanta, at Mercedes Benz Stadium, and a lot closer to Athens than Charlotte was to Clemson, making this practically a home game for Georgia. Much has happened since the end of the college football season last year. Georgia blew Florida State out in the Orange Bowl (albeit with the Seminoles’ JV team), while Clemson came from 11 points down in the third quarter to beat Kentucky 38-35 in the Gator Bowl after a wild fourth quarter shootout.

 

 

Georgia opens the season ranked No.1 once again, while Clemson opens the season ranked No.14. In the past, this game would almost be a CFP elimination game, but with the expansion of the College Football Playoff from 4 teams to 12, the loser still controls its destiny. Regardless of who wins or loses this game, both teams are still projected to make the 12-team playoff and some publications have them both getting a first-round bye. There is even a possibility that if the pieces of the puzzle fall in the right place, Clemson and Georgia could see a rematch in the playoff.

 

Kirby Smart decided to be secretive, not releasing a depth chart this week, but let's take a look at who will likely start for Georgia:

 

        QB = Carson Beck

                 Gunner Stockton

 

                 The story here is Heisman candidate Beck. He led Georgia to an undefeated season before losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship last year, which knocked two-time defending champion Georgia out of the 4-team playoff and denying the Bulldogs an unprecedented three-peat. Stockton is the backup, should Carson Beck get hurt, but with no game experience, it would be a major blow to Georgia if Beck were to go down with an injury.

 

 

         RB= Trevor Etienne

                 Nate Frazier

 

                 The story here is Trevor Etienne. He was arrested just a few weeks ago, but unless something changes, he will probably start for the Bulldogs on Saturday. If he doesn’t start as a punishment, he will surely be in the game quickly. Nate Frazier gets the call as the backup thanks to Branson Robinson having a toe issue and surgery. That leaves Georgia thin at running back, as Trevor is the only running back with any real game experience.

 

 

      

        WR = Dillon Bell (X- Receiver)

                  Arian Smith (Z- Receiver)

                  Dominic Lovett (Slot)

                

                 These are your starters, but don't let that fool you and think that is where it ends for Georgia. Look for Miami transfer Colbie Young, Landon Humphries and Sacovie White to play a lot in this game. The surrounding controversy here is White and his arrest for reckless driving and non-suspension for this game. 

 

 

         TE= Ben Yurosek

                 Oscar Delp

                 Lawson Luckie

                

                 The story here is the loss of NFL First-Rounder Brock Bowers, a once of a lifetime college tight end. However, Georgia brought in an outstanding transfer from Stanford in Ben Yurosek. He and Oscar Delp will be the go-to guys for Beck in the middle of the field. It’s impossible to replace a Brock Bowers, but there might not be too much drop off with Yurosek, and Todd Hartley has stated that the tight ends are going to be used significantly in the passing game this season. 

 

 

          

        Offensive Line = LT Earnest Greene                                     

                                   LG Dylan Fairchild

                                    C  Jared Wilson

                                   RG Tate Rutledge

                                   RT  Xavier Truss 

 

                     Georgia has 7 offensive linemen that they will rotate, and this group is very versatile and very fast. While it isn't a senior laden line, this group has a ton of experience to be comfortable in a game like this. If the Tigers’ defense is to get to Carson Beck and put pressure on him, Wes Goodwin is going to have to pick and choose when and how to blitz. This line can hold its own and if the Clemson offense cant sustain drives, this defense is going to be in for a long day.

 

 

 

                    If there is a group that will be interesting to watch, it's the Georgia defensive line. This group, while loaded with talent, is banged up and very thin on experience right now with Jordan Hall and Xavier McLeod injured. If Mafah and the Clemson running game can sustain drives as mentioned, Georgia’s defense could be in for a long day as well. and as you can see, this group is undermanned,

 

 

              Defensive Line  = DE Tyrion Ingram

                                           NG Nazir Stackhouse

                                           DT Warren Brinson

 

 

             Linebacker =   Mykel Williams

                                     CJ Allen

                                     Smael Mondon

 

           

                    Just like Trevor Etienne, the story here is Smael Mondon, who was also arrested for reckless driving. Rumors are that eventually suspensions will be handed down, but a date and time has yet to be determined. As I stated before, unless something changes over the next 48 hours, these players will be on the field this Saturday for the Clemson game.

 

 

              Secondary = RC Daylen Everette

                                    LC Julio Humphrey

                                    N Joenel Aguero

                                    FS Malaki Starks

                                    SS Dan Jackson

                                     

            

                       This group is replacing 3 starters from last year's squad. It is anchored by Malachi Starks, who had an outstanding season, including a incredible interception against Oregon last year to start the game. Just like the defensive line, this group will be inexperienced and there will be opportunities for the Tigers to exploit those weaknesses. If that is to happen, Clemson's offensive line is going to have to give Klubnik time and help keep him upright.

 

 

What Will Happen and Who Will Win This Game?

 

If you ask Paul Finebaum and 90 percent of the national media, Clemson has no chance. Dabo’s refusal to embrace the transfer portal is going to be his downfall.  Clemson is where Georgia used to be, when Clemson was neck and neck with Alabama between 2015-2020. People seem to forget that during Clemson's magical run—6 consecutive trips to the CFP and 4 trips to the National Championship in 5 years—that it was Clemson that gave everyone the blueprint on how to break the death grip Alabama had on college football. It took Clemson actually showing the rest of the world what it was going to take twice before somebody else finally accomplished that feat.

 

 

                      The difference between Georgia and Clemson is that the Bulldogs haven't had to contend with the dominant Alabama teams that Clemson had to contend with. That’s not Georgias fault but let's be honest: Clemson had a more difficult road in winning its 2 National Championships. With all that being said, Kirby Smart has built a juggernaut in Athens, and even though they missed the playoffs last year, Georgia isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

 

These types of games are what drives Dabo. He hears all the negativity and he knows the perception has taken a hit. If you think for one second that the 13.5 spread is a concern, please go ahead and bet against Dabo. As a matter of fact, just go ahead and bring me your money, I am sure I can find better things to do with it, than you giving it to a bookie as a waste.

 

 

Dabo serves revenge dishes best cold and he remembers what happened in Charlotte two years ago. This is going to be another dog fight just like it was in Charlotte. I still think this team is too young. If this was the opening game of the 2025 season, I would easily pick Clemson to win this game. With that being said, Clemson fans need to get ready for these types of nail-biting games that will come down to the final drive. Gone are the days of Deshawn Watson and Trevor Lawrence leading the Tigers to blow out wins. Garrett Riley’s system isn't designed to do that. As we saw in the Gator Bowl, his system is designed to wear you down over 60 minutes. It's not going to be pretty but it will be effective. This is his 2^nd year and just like this team, it just isn't quiet ready although the improvement is going to give Tiger fans hope for the next 3 years going forward. Georgia wins this game but don't leave the stadium to early, if you do you may miss out on an upset.

 

Georgia 21

 

Clemson 17

 

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