Game of the week: 5 things to know about Clemson-Georgia

On3 imageby:Mike Huguenin09/03/21

MikeHuguenin

This weekend has a ton of high-level games, but there’s really only one choice as the best game. It’s the Clemson-Georgia showdown in Charlotte.

The matchup also happens to be the best non-conference game of the season. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC; Chris Fowler will handle the play-by-play and Kirk Herbstreit is the analyst.

Here are five things to know about the Clemson-Georgia game, plus the predicted final score from the On3 national staff.

1. These might be the two best defensive lines in the nation

Both teams are loaded up front defensively. Clemson, which uses a 4-3 base, has the best d-line in the country; its tackle duo of Bryan Bresee and Tyler Davis is unmatched, and you can expect the Tigers use at least five ends — and with little drop-off. Georgia’s base defense is a 3-4, and the line is anchored by nose tackle Jordan Davis—all 6 feet 6 and 340 pounds of him. Davis is a Charlotte native, so he’d obviously like nothing better than to show off for the home folks. His backup is Jalen Carter, who is talented in his own right and also will see time at tackle alongside Davis when the Bulldogs go to a 4-3. (Carter and Tyler Davis go way back. They attended archrival high school about 5 miles apart in the Orlando suburbs: Carter at Apopka High, Davis at Apopka Wekiva.) The Bulldogs also are likely to roll through at least seven or eight other linemen, with Devonte Wyatt and Travon Walker other guys to keep an especially close eye on. Both offensive lines are good. But both offensive lines will be going against defensive lines that are better. Consistent running room is going to be tough to come by.

2. The linebackers aren’t bad, either

We’re not sure, but we think Clemson middle ’backer James Skalski was a Ken Hatfield recruit. Actually, he’s a sixth-year senior and this will be his third season as a starter. He’s already played in 56 games and conceivably could play in 71 college games (including six ACC championship games) if Clemson gets to the CFP final. He’s an extension of DC Brent Venables on the field and always seems to find the ball. Clemson allowed at least 20 points five times last season; Skalski missed three of those games and was ejected in the first half of another. Baylon Spector and Trenton Simpson join Skalski as starters, and big things are expected from Simpson, who also is a Charlotte native, this fall; he showed off his athleticism as a true freshman last season and now has more bulk and a better understanding of the defense. Georgia’s main pass rusher is outside linebacker Adam Anderson; he had 6.5 sacks last season and has the potential to get into double figures this fall. Undersized Nakobe Dean (6-0, 225) is the main guy inside. He is fast to the ball and packs a punch. Quay Walker (6-4, 240) is another physical presence on the inside.

5-things-to-know-about-clemson-georgia-september-4-2021
Clemson WR Justyn Ross (Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

3. Georgia has the advantage at running back, Clemson at receiver

Georgia’s running back room is the deepest in the nation. There’s Zamir White, a former five-star recruit. Kendall Milton is a former five-star recruit, too. James Cook, Dalvin’s brother, is a former four-star prospect who was a national top-50 recruit. Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh are former four-star signees, too. How Bulldogs coaches will divvy up the carries Saturday night (and beyond) will be worth keeping an eye on. Clemson, meanwhile, benefits from the return of star receiver Justyn Ross, who missed last season with a congenital spine issue that was surgically repaired. If he is all the way back, he’ll contend for first-team All-America honors. He should be joined in the starting lineup by Joseph Ngata and Frank Ladson Jr. That is a plus-sized trio: Each is at least 6-3 and all are at least 205 pounds. E.J. Williams, Ajou Ajou and true freshman Dacari Collins also will be in the mix.

4. The starting quarterbacks are from the L.A. area

Oh, yeah, the quarterbacks. The schools are located about 75 miles apart in the Deep South. Yet the starting quarterbacks went to high school about 30 miles apart in the L.A. suburbs: Georgia’s J.T. Daniels went to Mater Dei High in Santa Ana and Clemson’s D.J. Uiagalelei went to St. John Bosco High in Bellflower. Daniels, who is a USC transfer, played well down the stretch last season, throwing for 1,231 yards, 10 TDs and two interceptions in the Bulldogs’ final four games. But the competition level will be vastly different than anything he saw in those four games (Mississippi State, South Carolina, Missouri and Cincinnati). Uiagalelei will be making his third career start. His two starts last season came when Trevor Lawrence was in COVID protocol; this is Uiagalelei’s team now. He’s a big guy (6-4, 250) with a big arm and better-than-you’d-expect athleticism. His mobility should be a weapon against the Bulldogs.

5. Recent history

The Clemson and Georgia campuses are about 75 miles apart by car; the programs played annually from 1962-87 and have met 64 times total. But this will be the first meeting since 2014, just the fifth in 25 years and only the second time ever they have met with both ranked in the top 10 (the other was 2013). There were some extremely memorable games between the teams in the 1980s. In 1981, Clemson forced nine turnovers and beat Georgia 13-3; that was the only regular-season loss in Herschel Walker’s three seasons at Georgia. In 1984, Georgia’s Kevin Butler kicked a 60-yard field goal with 11 seconds left for a 26-23 win. Clemson’s David Treadwell kicked field goals on the last play (1986) and with two seconds left (1987) to give the Tigers narrow wins.

On3 predictions

Mike Huguenin: Clemson 24-21

Ivan Maisel: Clemson 34-23

Charles Power: Clemson 31-21

Matt Zenitz: Clemson 30-24