Aug. 31 marks the official return of college football. The nation will be focused on one game: Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia enters the game as a 13.5-point favorite over the Tigers. However, the game will be much closer than many believe, and here's why.
Georgia lost a lot of veteran talent and leadership in the offseason. The Bulldogs had eight players drafted in 2024, four on offense and four on defense.
As a result, the Bulldogs might struggle to find consistency early in the season, particularly on offense.
They lost their two most valuable assets in the passing game: tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
Bowers was drafted in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft and was considered one of the top tight end prospects of all time. In 2023, Bowers had 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns, boasting yet another season of great numbers on the field.
McConkey was drafted in the second round, 34th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had 30 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. While those numbers don't jump off the board, he was Georgia's security blanket in the passing game, consistently making big plays when needed and excelling in third-down situations with his terrific route-running ability.
Not only did Georgia lose two valuable assets in the passing game, but they also lost their two best offensive linemen in the offseason to the NFL Draft.
Offensive tackle Amarius Mims was drafted in the first round, 18th overall. He was a key piece of protection for quarterback Carson Beck and was also valuable for run blocking down the field.
The Bulldogs also lost center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, who was drafted in the fifth round, 141st overall. The center is the key to any offensive line, playing a vital role in controlling the rest of the group.
Clemson's impressive defensive line should have plenty of success pressuring Carson Beck without his two veteran offensive linemen, potentially making it a tough day for Georgia's running backs in the backfield.
With a lack of experience on Georgia's offense, Clemson fans should be hoping for a low-scoring game. If Georgia is clicking on all cylinders like in recent years, it might be tough for the Tigers to keep up with their scoring. However, a low-scoring game would be a massive advantage for Clemson. If neither team eclipses 30 points, Clemson might pull off the first upset win of the season.
The Tigers strong defense and Georgia's lack of experienced offensive talent set the stage for a potentially close and low-scoring game. Clemson could very well pull off an early-season upset, making this highly anticipated matchup one to watch.
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