No. 1 Georgia and No. 14 Clemson are two of the most successful teams in the College Football Playoff era, but while one program has continued to rise, the other seems to be on a decline after missing the CFP for the past four years. The two teams will face off Saturday in the Aflac Kickoff Classic in Atlanta, a crucial game that could reveal whether Clemson still has what it takes to be a playoff contender.
This matchup is a rematch of the 2021 season opener when the paths of these programs began to diverge. Clemson's offense struggled in a 10-3 loss, hindered by a lack of explosive plays and inconsistent quarterback performances—issues that have persisted since. Meanwhile, Georgia went on to secure the first of its back-to-back national championships.
For the first time since 2014, Clemson enters its season opener as an underdog, a stretch that included Week 1 games against Georgia in 2021 and at Auburn in 2016. The Tigers were also underdogs in 2014 when they lost to Georgia in the season opener. Only once has head coach Dabo Swinney faced a bigger underdog scenario (+14.5 at Florida State in 2012), but he has an impressive 12-1 record against the spread as an underdog of five or more points. A victory in this game would mark Clemson's biggest upset since defeating Miami (+16.5) in 2004.
Georgia's Challenge Without Brock Bowers?
With Brock Bowers sidelined, Georgia faces a significant test. Carson Beck, who emerged as one of the nation's top quarterbacks during the second half of his debut season as a starter in 2023, heavily relied on Bowers. The standout tight end led Georgia in receiving for three consecutive years. Last season, Ladd McConkey admirably filled in for an injured Bowers, matching his productivity, but McConkey is also gone. Now, it falls on Georgia's receivers and Oscar Delp, the No. 1 tight end from the 2022 class, to step up and help Beck maintain his trajectory as a Heisman Trophy contender. Dominic Lovett, who ranked second on the team last season with 54 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns, is expected to become the go-to option. Beck led the SEC in passing with 3,941 yards and set a school record for accuracy, completing 72% of his throws. However, the question remains: Can he sustain those numbers without his reliable safety valve?
Clemson's offense needs a spark of explosiveness. Despite being in the top five nationally in the 247Sports Team Talent Composite, the Tigers have faced ongoing criticism for their limited use of the transfer portal. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns to lead an offense that struggled to generate big plays downfield, ranking 129th nationally in explosive pass plays last season. The arrival of new receivers Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore could be the solution to stretching the field. Coach Dabo Swinney is optimistic that Wesco, a former five-star prospect, will make an immediate impact. The offensive line, returning four starters, gets a boost with the hiring of veteran position coach Matt Luke, although finding a new center to replace a departed all-ACC player is a priority.
Clemson's defense is undergoing a reloading process after losing four all-ACC players, but the safeties are expected to be a strong point. The Tigers, known for their elite defensive lines, saw three starters from last year leave for the NFL. Defensive ends T.J. Parker and Peter Woods are the new anchors up front. Parker, who started three games last season and earned freshman All-American honors while leading the team with 5.5 sacks, will be a key player. Woods, who transitioned from tackle to end during spring practices, will also play a crucial role.
Georgia's running back situation has taken a hit with Trevor Etienne's suspension, following a DUI arrest in March. Etienne, a Florida transfer, was expected to be the primary back after the departures of Dijon Edwards and Kendall Milton, who combined for nearly 4,000 rushing yards during their careers. Roderick Robinson II, the team's leading returning rusher with 196 yards and two touchdowns, is also expected to miss the opener after undergoing toe surgery. With Etienne out, sophomore Branson Robinson is likely to start. He rushed for 330 yards as a freshman in 2022 but missed all of last season due to a ruptured patella tendon.
Clemson needs to find a way to stretch the field and become more explosive, something they've struggled with in recent years. This responsibility falls on quarterback Cade Klubnik, who must not only generate big plays but also minimize turnovers. Another area of concern for Clemson is their red zone efficiency, where they ranked 118th in conversions last season. On the other hand, Georgia has more firepower on both sides of the ball. However, with uncertainty at running back for the Bulldogs, Clemson's revamped defensive line has an opportunity to pressure Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and slow down their rushing attack.
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