The talent of Saturday afternoon’s Georgia vs. Clemson game in Atlanta is unequaled in any Week 1 battle. This is the second meeting between UGA’s Kirby Smart and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, the only two head coaches still in active employment who have won multiple national titles, since Smart took over at his alma mater in 2016.
The Dawgs are accustomed to winning national titles, and Georgia starts the season as the favorite to do it. This year, they make much of Carson Beck, who is regarded as the best quarterback in the nation and is among the favorites to take the top spot in the 2025 NFL Draft and win the Heisman Trophy. Clemson is making an effort to re-establish itself in the national title discussion. Swinney’s squad had a 69-5 record from 2015 to 2019 and qualified for four consecutive College Football Playoff national championship games. Although the Tigers’ record in the years since is excellent for most programs at 40-12 without making the playoffs, it falls short of the caliber set by Swinney. Florida State’s defeat to Georgia Tech in Week 0 and the 12-team Playoff offer excellent prospects for the program. Clemson would rise to the top of the national championship discussion with a victory over Georgia.
In the all-time series against Clemson, Georgia is 43-18-4. The Bulldogs prevailed 10-3 in the final game, a 2021 slugfest in Charlotte.
Georgia vs. Clemson
Location:Â Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Kickoff:Â Saturday, Aug. 31 at Noon ET
TV:Â ABC
Spread:Â Georgia -13.5
Over/Under:Â 48.5
Announcers: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe
Reasons for Georgia’s Victory
Compared to Clemson, Georgia has a lot less uncertainty going into the season. Beck has the weapons to score points despite playing behind a strong offensive line, even if the Tigers should have a strong defense. Top receiver Ladd McConkey and tight end Brock Bowers have moved on to the NFL, but pass catchers like Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, and Oscar Delp are ready to play important roles.
If necessary, Georgia’s talented defense might prevail in a slugfest akin to 2021. Every year, Athlon All-SEC preseason choices Mykel Williams, Smael Mondon Jr., and Nazir Stackhouse set the tone up front for Smart, who can plug and play NFL quality in the front seven. Three new starters in the secondary will be surrounded by safety Malaki Starks, one of the greatest defensive backs in the country. Georgia’s base defense will put pressure on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has struggled to generate huge plays via the air since joining the Tigers.
