After a long and turbulent offseason, the Georgia Bulldogs' first game of the 2024 college football season has finally arrived. The Dawgs are just moments away from their highly anticipated week one matchup against the Clemson Tigers. This will be the two team's first meeting in nearly three years.
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 been on an upward trajectory, the other appears to be heading in the opposite direction after falling short of the CFP in the last four years. The two meet Saturday in the Aflac Kickoff Classic in Atlanta in an important game that may determine whether Clemson is a playoff-quality program.
This game is a rematch of the 2021 season opener when the two programs diverged near the top of the sport. Clemson fell 10-3 thanks a lack of explosive plays on offense and inconsistent performances at quarterback -- problems that have plagued the program ever since. Georgia went on to win the first of its back-to-back national titles.
Clemson is an underdog in its season opener for the first time since 2014, a stretch that included Week 1 games against Georgia in 2021 and at Auburn in 2016. The Tigers lost in Week 1 to Georgia as an underdog in 2014. Only once has Dabo Swinney been a bigger underdog (+14.5 at Florida State in 2012) and the longtime Clemson coach is 12-1 against the spread as an underdog of five or more points. A Clemson win would be the program's largest upset since 2004 at Miami (+16.5).
Georgia's Offense: Can Carson Beck Replace Brock Bowers' Production?
What does Georgia do without Brock Bowers? Carson Beck emerged as one of the nation's best quarterbacks in the second half of his first season as starter in 2023. He leaned heavily on tight end Brock Bowers, who led Georgia in receiving three straight years. Ladd McConkey stepped in for an injured Bowers last season and was equally productive but he is also gone. It's up to the receivers and Oscar Delp, the No. 1 tight end in the class of 2022, to step up and keep Beck on track as a Heisman Trophy contender. Dominic Lovett ranked second on the team with 54 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns last season and should be the go-to option. Beck led the SEC in passing (3,941 yards) and broke the school record in accuracy, completing 72% of his throws. But will those numbers hold true without a safety valve?
Clemson's Offense: Time to Be More Explosive?
Clemson's offense needs to be more explosive: Both programs rank in the top five nationally in the 247Sports Team Talent Composite, despite Clemson receiving incessant criticism about its lack of transfer portal use. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns to lead an offense that has struggled to push the ball downfield, ranking 129th nationally in explosive pass plays last season. Might new receivers Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore help stretch the field? Swinney is confident Wesco, a former five-star prospect, will make an impact in his debut. The offensive line returns four starters but the best news here is the hiring of veteran position coach Matt Luke, who needs a new center to replicate the production of a departed all-ACC player.
Clemson's Defense: A New Look
Clemson's defense is reloading: Clemson replaces four players from the all-ACC team but the safeties should be a strength. The Tigers have long enjoyed elite defensive lines but three starters from last year departed for the NFL. Defensive ends T.J. Parker and Peter Woods are the new stalwarts up front. Parker started three games last season and was a freshman All-American while leading the team with 5.5 sacks. Woods moved from tackle to end in the spring.
Georgia's Running Back Situation
Trevor Etienne's out: Questions had surrounded Georgia running back Trevor Etienne's availability for the opener, and on Saturday morning, it was announced he will be suspended for a DUI arrest in March. The Florida transfer was expected to take over as the workhorse following the departures of Dijon Edwards and Kendall Milton, who combined for nearly 4,000 rushing yards in their career. Roderick Robinson II, the team's returning leader in rushing yards (196 yards and two touchdowns) is expected to miss the opener after undergoing toe surgery. With Etienne out, look for sophomore Branson Robinson to start. He rushed for 330 yards as a freshman in 2022, but missed all of last year with a ruptured patella tendon
Final Thoughts and Predictions
Clemson needs to find a way to stretch the field and be more explosive than it has in recent years. That's up to quarterback Cade Klubnik to produce — and limit turnovers — but the other issue is in the red zone, where the Tigers ranked 118th in inversions last season. Georgia has more firepower offensively and defensively, but with uncertainty at running back for Georgia, there is an opening here for Clemson's new-look defensive line to get pressure on Carson Beck and also slow the Bulldogs' rushing attack. Pick: Clemson +13.5
What's Next? Georgia's Home Opener Against UAB
The Georgia Bulldogs will return to Athens for their home opener against the UAB Blazers on Saturday, September 7. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Sanford Stadium and will be televised on SEC Network. The Blazers, a formidable opponent from Conference USA, are expected to provide a solid test for the defending national champions.
The Dawgs Look to Start Strong
The Georgia Bulldogs have a lot to prove in 2024. After winning back-to-back national championships, they'll be looking to extend their dynasty and build a legacy that will last for years to come. With a tough schedule ahead, the Bulldogs will need to start strong and build momentum early in the season. Their Week 1 matchup against Clemson is a crucial test that will tell us a lot about their potential for the year.
