Clemson Football is back. . The Clemson Tigers football team will open their 2024 season by traveling to an away…er…neutral site game against the pre-season #1 team in the land, the Georgia Bulldogs.
These previews are thoroughly enjoyable to write. I love to dig into the opponents and see any trends and all the stats, and I enjoy bringing these things to you before every game. This week was less enjoyable. A little back story, if you will indulge me. My Clemson fandom started my freshman year in college many years ago when the Tigers were led by Head Coach Tommy West and quarterback Nealon Greene. West turned into Tommy Bowden when winning games Clemson should have lost and vice versa was the norm.
I say all of that to say, I have convinced myself that Clemson will lose every game they play. But this is, admittedly more because of looking deeply into the opponents and WAY less about just how good Clemson has become. A Gator Bowl, three Peach Bowl and a 3-8 season was my college experience. Oh, also, zero bowl wins in that time as well.
Ok, let’s get to the real reason you are here. Here is your preview of the best team Clemson will play this season.
Georgia Bulldogs
Head Coach: Kirby Smart (94-16 overall; 2 national championships)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Time: 12:00PM EST
Offense
Offensive Coordinator – Mike Bobo
Mike Bobo, former Georgia quarterback, returned to his Alma Mater in 2022 after a failed stint as a head coach at Colorado State. He inherited a heck of an offense loaded with talent up and down the roster, and has done nothing to ruin that. It is no secret that Georgia recruits at a top level since Smart came over from Alabama, but talent does not always translate to success. It has for Georgia.
Georgia boasts the pre-season Heisman trophy front-runner at quarterback in Carson Beck. Beck threw for nearly 4,000 yards in his first year as the starter adding 24 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions. He added 4 more scores on the ground. Not necessarily a runner, he is absolutely advantageous with his feet. Beck is a capable threat for the Georgia run game.
Speaking of Running Backs, neither team offered their depth charts this week, a Georgia staple, but new for Clemson. There are rumors that a familiar name may not play for Georgia in Trevor Etienne. The brother of Clemson’s legendary running back Travis Etienne had a run-in with the law in the off-season which would be worthy of a suspension at any school outside of the SEC, so we’ll see if he plays or if his indiscretion was “handled internally.”
Georgia is going to count on Etienne a lot as the season goes. The former 4-star from Jennings, Louisiana was the jewel of the transfer market and landed at Georgia, who outbid other suitors…allegedly. But do not sleep on Branson Robinson, projected starter in place of Etienne. He and Cash Jones are a heck of a duo, even without the prized transfer.
Wide out is a little bit of an unknown for this writer. Dillon Bell returns and was productive a season ago with 29 catches and 2 touchdowns. Colbie Young (Miami transfer) joins the WR room. At Miami, Young ended an injury-filled season with 47 catches and 5 touchdowns. He’ll back up Bell at the X-Receiver position.
In the slot, Dominick Lovett is the most productive returning pass catcher, hauling in 54 catches and 4 touchdowns. A true safety valve for Beck in the underneath passing game. Arian Smith is the other starter at the Z-Receiver position. Catching only 8 passes a season ago, but scoring on 25% of those opens some eyes for opposing defensive coordinators.
The Dawgs lost generational talent at Tight End, Brock Bowers, but returned someone the Tigers thought they were going to get in recruiting, Oscar Delp. Delp had 24 catches and 3 touchdowns in a back-up role last season. He’ll see those numbers rise.
Across the offensive line, Georgia always has “dogs.” Earnest Greene returns to slot in the left tackle role, Dylan Fairchild will get a bunch of snaps at left guard. Jared Wilson anchors the line at Center. Tate Ratledge will likely get the start somewhere, notably right guard. Xavier Truss is the final piece at right tackle. Sophomore (and Clemson target) Monroe Freeling will also play a lot on the line, likely more snaps than Truss.
Georgia Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Glenn Schumann
If you thought the offense was good, let us talk about Georgia’s defense. Arguably the best part of their recent run of extreme success. Led, officially, by Glenn Schumann, but Kirby Smart has his hands all over that defense, and it shows. He’s brought a toughness, and recruited (and portalled) his style of player he so easily obtained at Alabama. Tough, big, great football players.
At defensive end, Georgia will likely start Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins or Gabe Harris (another want by Clemson on the recruiting trail). Harris has apparently had some pre-season injuries, but from all accounts, Clemson should be seeing a lot of Harris on Saturday.
Georgia runs a Defensive Tackle and a Nose Tackle in the middle of that vaunted defensive line. Super senior, Nazir Stackhouse who had 24 tackles and 2 sacks a season ago from the nose tackle position. A staple the last three seasons for the Bulldogs, Stackhouse is a load in the middle. Christen Miller is the defensive tackle in Schumann’s scheme, The redshirt sophomore had 2 sacks last season in limited duty. He is expected to make a huge leap with more playing time expected in 2024.
The linebacker room is where Kirby Smart has made his money. Mykel Williams, a Junior, is the next in line of Georgia great linebackers. He had 4.5 sacks in 2024 and is now the leader on that second level of defense. Raylen Wilson is expected to start at the MAC Linebacker position. The sophomore played behind some NFL talent last season but is thrust into the starter role. He had 15 tackles a season ago. (He did have some indiscretions off the field in the off-season, but is expected to play). And at the MONEY Linebacker spot, CJ Allen is expected to trot out with the starters on Saturday. The Sophomore had 41 tackles last year in back-up duty, as a true Freshman. At the STAR/Nickleback position, I expect Georgia to start Sophomore Joenel Aguero. A common theme here is not overwhelming statistics, just 7 tackles last season, but knowing who was playing in front of these guys does not make this observer feel better.
It also doesn’t make me feel better that the back end of the defense may be where the most known entities are with this Georgia team. At one corner, we expect either Julian Humphrey or Daniel Harris to get the start. Both will play major minutes and the depth on the back end is unbelievable. At the other corner, a name all Clemson fans know, Daylen Everette. The former Clemson commit matriculated to Georgia after a tumultuous recruiting battle. A true leader on the back end and a heck of a corner.
At the safety positions, Malaki Starks is likely a guy that we will hear a lot of on Saturday. Arguably the star of the defense. The Junior had 52 tackles and 3 interceptions last season. And finally, Dan Jackson will likely get the start at Strong Safety. The senior had 20 tackles and an interception in 2023.
Special Teams
Georgia returns their starting placekicker from 2023, Peyton Woodring. The Sophomore connected on 84% of his field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards.
The punting duties will also come from a returner at the position, Junior Brett Thorson. He only punted 32 times in 2023 with a long of 60 yards and an average of 43.8 yards.
Summary
Georgia is the number 1 team in the land for a reason. Their quarterback will likely be in New York at the end of the season. They have recruited better than nearly everybody in the country for the last five to seven years, and they fill holes through the portal. This is going to likely be Clemson’s toughest game of the season, but not most important. Clemson fans need to remember that. We all want our Tigers to win every game, but as Dabo says, “our goals are still attainable.”
With that being said, Go Tigers! Beat the Dawgs!
