The college football season kicks off with a bang as the No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs face off against the No. 14 Clemson Tigers in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on August 31, 2024. The noon showdown will be nationally televised on ABC, with Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, and Molly McGrath calling the action.
Bulldogs Aiming for Another Championship Run
The Georgia Bulldogs enter the 2024 season with high expectations, ranked No. 1 in both the AP and US LBM Coaches polls. This marks the third time in school history that Georgia begins the season at the top of the rankings. Under head coach Kirby Smart, who boasts a remarkable 94-16 record in his ninth year, the Bulldogs have become a powerhouse, consistently finishing in the top seven of the final AP poll for seven straight seasons.
Georgia's dominance extends to both sides of the ball. In 2023, they were the only FBS team to finish in the top five nationally in both Scoring Offense (40.1 ppg) and Scoring Defense (15.6 ppg). The Bulldogs have set a standard of excellence under Smart, with their defense ranking in the top five nationally in Scoring Defense five times, including leading the nation twice in the past five years.
The offense is led by senior quarterback Carson Beck, who returns after an impressive 2023 campaign where he posted a 13-1 record as a starter and threw for 3,941 yards. Beck was a finalist for the Manning Award and excelled against top-20 opponents, completing nearly 74% of his passes for 1,693 yards and 13 touchdowns. Beck is supported by a veteran offensive line and a talented receiving corps, including returning starters Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, and Arian Smith.
Clemson Looking to Upset the Reigning Champs
The Clemson Tigers, under the guidance of head coach Dabo Swinney, enter the 2024 season ranked No. 14. Swinney, with a 170-43 record in his 17th year, has built Clemson into a perennial contender. The Tigers will look to spoil Georgia's season opener and make a statement of their own.
Clemson has a strong tradition of success, but they face a formidable challenge in Georgia. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 43-18-4, including a 10-3 victory in their last meeting in 2021. However, Clemson has proven in the past that they can compete with the best, and this matchup promises to be a thrilling start to the season.
Georgia's Defense Ready to Shine Again
Georgia's defense, a hallmark of Smart's tenure, returns seven of 11 starters from a unit that ranked fifth nationally in Scoring Defense last season. The Bulldogs will rely on All-American safety Malaki Starks and cornerback Daylen Everette to anchor the secondary, while linebacker Smael Mondon, the team's second-leading tackler in 2023, leads a deep and talented linebacking corps.
Up front, Georgia will feature veterans Mykel Williams, Nazir Stackhouse, and Warren Brinson, all of whom are expected to play significant roles. The Bulldogs also have a crop of talented freshmen who could make an impact early, including Ellis Robinson IV, KJ Bolden, and Demello Jones in the secondary, as well as Justin Williams and Chris Cole at linebacker.
A Game of Streaks
Georgia enters the 2024 season with several impressive streaks on the line. The Bulldogs have won 46 of their last 48 games, including a school-record 39 consecutive regular-season victories. They also boast a 25-game home winning streak and a 15-game winning streak in an opponent’s home stadium, both of which lead the FBS.
The 2024 senior class, with a 42-2 record, aims to continue the success of last year’s senior class, which finished with a 50-4 mark, two national titles, and an SEC crown. Georgia also begins a new streak as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll, after holding the top spot for a school-record 24 consecutive weeks in 2022-2023.
Final Thoughts
As Georgia and Clemson prepare to kick off the 2024 season, all eyes will be on Atlanta for what promises to be a thrilling clash between two college football giants. With national title aspirations on the line for both teams, this game will set the tone for the season and could have major implications for the College Football Playoff race.
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