Kickoff time, TV network announced for Georgia-Clemson opener
Georgia’s season opener is among the most highly anticipated games of the first weekend, pitting the Bulldogs – potentially entering the season at No. 1 in the preseason polls – against the ACC favorite Clemson Tigers. Set for Saturday, August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as the Aflac Kickoff Game, officials announced on Tuesday Georgia-Clemson will kick at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
Together, the Bulldogs and Tigers have combined to win four of the last eight College Football Playoff National Championships. Not only do the teams have recent success though, but it’s part of a resurgence of a traditional rivalry between the two squads having played 65 times entering the opener. Georgia leads the all-time series 43-18-4 including a 10-3 win in a top-5 matchup to kickoff the 2021 season.
“All eyes will be on Atlanta when two of college football’s biggest brands face off in a showdown that will certainly have College Football Playoff implications,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “Whoever wins this matchup will take the first major step toward the playoff and the possibility of making a return trip to Atlanta when we host our first-ever CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.”
Georgia is making its fourth appearance in the Aflac Kickoff Game, previously sponsored by Chick-fil-A. Under Kirby Smart’s direction, the Dawgs have defeated North Carolina (33-24, 2016) and Oregon (49-3, 2022). The win over the Tar Heels was Smart’s first as a head coach.
OPPONENT AT A GLANCE: CLEMSON TIGERS
Georgia completed spring practice in April and has watched the spring opening of the transfer portal come and go. The Bulldogs added eight transfers (QB Jaden Rashada, RB Trevor Etienne, WR Colbie Young, WR London Humphreys, WR Michael Jackson III, TE Ben Yurosek, DL Xzavier McLeod, DB Jake Pope) to a roster that returns several key pieces from 2023 including Heisman Trophy favorite Carson Beck.
With a wide receiver group that features the likes of Dominic Lovett, Rara Thomas, Dillon Bell and Arian Smith, one of the nation’s top tight end groups including Oscar Delp and an offensive line that returns four players with starting experience, hopes are high for the Georgia offense. Of course though, as long as Kirby Smart is the head coach, the Bulldog defense is going to be strong, and that remains the case in 2024. Safety Malaki Starks was an All-American last season while EDGE Mykel Williams and inside linebacker Smael Mondon are certainly capable of playing at the kind of elite level. CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson played valuable snaps as true freshmen and should take steps forward – as should sack leader Jalon Walker, now a junior – while the secondary must replace three NFL Draft picks including one each at cornerback, safety and STAR.
