Clemson and Georgia. September 4th is right around the corner. This game between two top teams this early has everyone excited for the season to begin.
With Texas and Oklahoma being invited into the SEC, after basically “telling” the SEC they wanted to play for bigger money, it seems to have ignited Georgia and USC fans. The same ole talk about the ACC being garbage and Clemson has a cakewalk is heating up, again. A Georgia win would just fuel the talk. A Clemson win would be a fluke, and Georgia didn’t really want to be there, or the officials favored the Tigers. Clemson fans are used to this.
Georgia initially was bringing back 14 starters, but injuries have taken a bite into that number. brings back 14 starters, QB JT Daniels came in late in the season and led the Bulldogs to a 4-0 record. HIs return is giving the Georgia faithful hope that they can go into Charlotte and come out victorious.
The Georgia run game is led by returnees Zamir White and James Cook, and three returning starters along the offensive line. The Bulldogs always recruit well, and have the pieces to have a formidable offensive line. However, do not underestimate the defensive line they will be facing come game time. Clemson’s starting defensive line may very well be the best they will face all year, and with Brent Venables calling the shots, Daniels will face blitzes from all angles. What makes the Tigers a dangerous defensive line is the depth. Clemson can run out three-deep at each position, and with the resurgence of DE’s Justin Foster and Xavier Thomas, Daniels could have a long day.
Daniels came alive in the last four games of the season, but don’t be deceived. He went 4-0 against Mississippi State (4-7), Missouri (5-6), South Carolina (2-8) and a decent Cincinnati team, winning that game on a last second field goal, 24-21. The Bulldogs do return talent at WR with the return of Jermaine Burton and Kearis Jackson. However, the loss of George PIckens to injury will be felt. Transfer TE Arik Gilbert (from LSU) and returning starter Darnell Washington might have caused problems for this Tiger secondary IF Daniels even had the time to sit back and pick his targets. However, neither will be at the game due to injuries.
Offensively, Clemson will look to air it out, plain and simple. The Georgia secondary lost several starters, and while landing former Clemson CB Derion Kendrick, it still is the biggest concern for head coach Kirby Smart. QB DJ Uiagalelei has tons of weapons to throw to and this should open up the run game. Usually, coaches like to use the run game to open up the passing game. With Clemson this year, it could very well be the other way around. With multiple WR sets and a set of very good receiving TE’s, the Georgia secondary will be under fire the entire game. The Clemson offensive line could be one of the best they have had in quite some time. They are definitely going to be put to the test in game 1 of 2021.
Georgia returns five starters on the defense, losing several big time players to the NFL, including linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Monty Rice. How the Bulldogs replace the losses in the back 7 will be the key to this game for Georgia. Coach Smart and his staff recruit top classes every year and routinely have the talent to reload. One player, WVU transfer CB Tykee Smith, was supposed to come in and provide instant credibility to the secondary, but he too will be unavailable for the game.
The game will feature Georgia’s strength, offense, against Clemsons’ defense. The Tigers’ last game out, Justin Fields and Ohio State picked apart the Clemson secondary with a massive first half showing. Safety Nolan Turner missed the 1st half due to a targeting call the previous game and it made a difference. It didn’t help that the Tiger offense was in a bit of disarray due to OC Tony Elliott missing the game. Bottom line, this year’s Clemson secondary is not last year’s secondary.
Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Cornell Powell and Amari Rodgers are gone from a very potent offense. The Tigers will not skip a beat with Uiagalelei, Lyn-J Dixon, Justyn Ross, EJ Williams, Frank Ladson and Joseph Ngaga. The many losses on the defensive side of the ball will be too much for Georgia to overcome. Clemson’s offensive line got bigger with the move to center for Matt Bockhorst, opening up the guard position to freshman Marcus Tate. No game in 2021 will be as affected by the offensive line play than against Georgia. If DJ gets the time to throw, watch out. If he doesn’t the game will be close. However…….
Prediction: Clemson opens up the 2021 season victorious, Tigers 34 Dawgs 24 …
