1. Clemson vs. Georgia (in Atlanta) - August 31
The Georgia Bulldogs begin their quest for another national title with a neutral site game against the Clemson Tigers. The two schools are separated by only 80 miles, and they have played several times, including annual meetings in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The two most recent matchups have been wins for the Bulldogs in 2014 and 2021 (a 10-3 “defensive showdown”). Georgia will enter this matchup in Atlanta as the No. 1 team in the nation and a two-touchdown favorite, but it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from Georgia. There have been many off-the-field legal problems for Kirby Smart’s team, and there’s at least a slight chance key players will be suspended for this game (although that seems unlikely). Plus, the Bulldogs need to replace some key pieces of their offense. As important as getting off to a strong start against a challenging schedule is for Georgia, this game is critical for Clemson and the perception of the ACC. Dabo Swinney and the Tigers need to keep this game competitive and give UGA an actual test, or the noise of the demise of Clemson will intensify. Clemson should have a solid defense, but the Tigers must show they have figured out how to take care of the ball and produce explosive plays on offense in the second season for Garrett Riley as offensive coordinator.
Clemson (+13.5) vs. Georgia
