Georgia vs. Clemson PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS | 2024 SEC Football

[Music] the Nick saving era is over enter the Kirby Smart Dynasty the Georgia Bulldogs look to be the face of the SEC now headlined by one of the most winningest coaches in college football but it starts off the major test even though it is near their own backyard played in Atlanta the Clemson Tigers come on visit who is expected to be the favorites to win the national title how does game play out especially with an early kick welcome on into SEC unfiltered he's Dave shoemate I'm Cole Thompson breaking down every single SEC game going into 2024 because this ladies and gentlemen is your new home for SEC coverage make sure that you follow us on social media Tik Tok Facebook Instagram Twitter at SEC unfiltered follow us right here hit the Subscribe button and the ring notification that way you don't miss a single episode of SECU because we're talking college football every single day going throughout the 2024 season follow us on the podcast Forum leave a festar review if you love this type of content a one star review if you hate this type of content and to make sure that you keep up with everything SEC related visit SEC unfiltered.com this episode's brought to you by roback look good feel good the St coming fall on game days with rowback use promo code SECU for 20% off all joggers polos hoodie shorts much much more promo code SECU for the fine fine fittings from roback.com Dave it is not not the same Clemson team of old that we knew as a dominant Dynasty underneath Davos Sweeney try saying that five times fast but it is still the potent pristine offense that we expect to belong to the Georgia Bulldogs that might have gotten even better this off season kickoff scheduled at noon inside of of course the super doome in Atlanta major favorites for the number one team of the nation going up against still a favorite to be in the running for an ACC title but of course we also know that this is kind of a big Testament between two coaches these are two of the three active names in college football that currently have a national championship attach their attach their programs so overall Dave we're in for a spectacle Co don't be calling it the Super Dome brother you have some dirty bird Falcons fans ready to fight you for calling that for the the Saints for being in the Super Dome the old Mercedes BS baby the old Dome uh but no I mean last time we saw this what there was 13 combined points in 21 when they played in Charlotte with the Duke mayos and 201 13 points yeah 103 was the final I think we had a defensive interception but I mean for this game it feels like a game you told me if I'm wrong like it's a game people I should say forgot about it's not the right word but just kind of just taken for granted a little bit it's the noon kick I think people just automatically assume Georgia is gonna win I mean I'm one I think Georgia is gonna win this game but it is interesting it's like you said it's kind of feels like I mean Clemson what has their F was their first nine 10- win regular season season since what 15 16 or something they didn't win 10 games it feels like people nationally are saying I mean it's first world problems they ended up going 10 and three last year but kind of going down a little bit people always get on davo about the lack of transfer portal additions they're having to ask a lot of true freshman to come in and play probably when they're not ready I think people think a lot of the athleticism speed's kind of gone down I mean you remember back in their Prime what from four like start from when Sammy Watkins was there in 14 through when Mike Williams was there uh always had difference makers on the outside Justin Ross I mean you name it they had dudes on the outside that were just they could go win their one-on-one matchups I don't feel like you really see that on Clemson's Rost right now Tyler Brown sure fine player Troy Stato fine player Antonio Williams Bryant Wesco I mean he's a freshman but he could come in and contribute to you don't really see the dudes the skill guys they had last year so it'll be go ahead no I would agree I mean and then you got Kate kumnick will be in his third year uh second year in the Garrett Riley uh offensive offive coordinator position where everybody uh tcu's offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's little brother Garrett riy came over this will be his second year at Clemson how does he fit into that second year Kade kumnick I mean he's he's an Austin Texas kid if if he's a Westlake kid if I remember right so how does that fit in from that he reminds me a little bit of call me crazy here go little bit of Bo nicks's trajectory on the way is like struggled kind of initially struggled struggle then his last year I'm not saying it's going to happen this year but last year kind of took that next step like Nicks did in Eugene in Oregon with Will Stein and Oregon uh so I don't know I think we're all kind of waiting to see what they do offensively I it's kind of what we're all waiting to do the other question you hear from reading up on Clemson is they do have major question marks on the back end they can't figure out who's that corner spot I mean everybody remembers AJ Terrell his little brother the sophomore Aden Terrell who I hear coming out of high school was the better player I'd have to see it to believe it because I thought Terrell was a pretty Dam good player but aen Terrell is a guy man in the one spot but Jaden Lucas is hurt uh who's the other kid I saw Shelton Lewis I think not out for the year but banged up for sign they have major holes they're already beat up on the back end to me this game a little bit long story short is kind of strength versus strength Georgia's offensive line I think by seasons's in Georgia may have the deepest offensive line unit in the league I think there's a lot of good offensive lines we previewed one of them just a minute ago in Texas but I think it could be strength on strength with Georgia's offensive line we know that is and Jo and Clemson's front with guys like TJ Parker Damonte Kart Peter Woods Barrett Carter I think they have a good front that's strength on strength then it's question mark on question mark a little bit I think Clemson is a little more of a bigger one in their secondary but also Georgia who steps up I mean you thought R Thomas maybe number one like you mentioned is it Kobe young is it Kobe young coming over there from Miami just Dylan Bell kind of The Versatile Gadget Swiss army knife does he Step Up Arion Smith I think we forget about this guy time Dominic love it who transferred from Missouri two years ago does he Step Up London humph I think this is a good litness test for both teams I think you're going to see the strength on strength but then you have their two question marks the receivers Georgia's receivers and Clemson's secondary going at it so I'm excited to really see those two matchups breakdown yeah you kind of forget about Dominic love because you literally almost forgot what his name was but let's go ahead and talk about that offensive going into Athens you you look at you get back another guy in Carson Beck many people think is the best quarterback in all of college football this year and he lived up to it last season it always felt like you were waiting for that it moment the come back to reality it's not going to work out the way that you expect it to more importantly he's going to crumble under pressure and in the high stakes he delivered Time After Time After Time well it's your two in Mike Bobo system you get better at the running back position with the addition of Trevor etn yes you did lose some key pieces Brock Bowers and LA makoni are no longer going to be helping you out but you added in some really good names via the portal if there has ever been a moment to where Georgia feels like that they have not only the best quarterback in the country but also potentially a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback on their Sidelines this is the year Carson backck has everything at his disposal and he's only going to be building off of what we saw last season no I I agree with you uh overall I mean I the line in this game is mood I saw it's start like 13 and a half now it's to 14 yeah as we get close I kind of like Georgia covering that a little bit I could see this game starting I who does Georgia get involved in that passing game because again like we we mentioned they lost lad makoni they lost BR Brock Bowers you're not gonna have two of those guys just randomly come up Le's Gotta Be by committee and also I think we forget about where does the Stanford tied in I'm excited to see him I've heard where does he fit in is it Oscar Delp is it kind of a combo between them we forget about law and lucky as well because he gets buried down there as well so far up about that I want to see Ernest Green the left tackle I think he could be one of the better line off the Lem in the League this year so from Georgia just overall sounds like the defense got the best of them in that first scrimmage georg's defense over uh georg's offense but I don't know I I feel like Georg is just out a it's crazy to say but it really is I feel Georg just out athletes Clemson a little bit in this game for the most part I I just F from top to bottom I think it's going to be there at half it' probably be a one- score game at half but I think in the second half Georgia kind of starts the depth again I mentioned Clemson's front seven being good but the depth isn't there that's where I could see Georgia's depth on the offensive line I keep saying the word depth but I think that's where they kind of start separating and leaning on Clemson late maybe take that play action shot over the top to a guy like Don Dominic love it um Arion Smith someone like that it kind of puts the nail uh in the coffin of that very thin beat up Clemson secondary right now let's go ahead and talk about a player that we haven't really mentioned a lot I I have been very high on this Edition simply because of we know that Georgia loves to run the football they always have they always will it's a staple of just that offense regardless of who was the head coach who was the offensive play caller you look at the laundry list of names that have come through that building that are standouts in the NFL standouts in college football history from persa Walker and Todd Gurley to even guys that we don't even mention at a high enough level like Keith Marshall but still they have great running backs and honestly the one thing that I think is been a downfall for the Bulldogs last season was their run game I wasn't the biggest fan of what you had in the back field but I am now I think that when you look at a talent as Trevor etn that's no longer split in carries with Montreal Johnson at Florida which also I will say I'm not the biggest fan of that you went and joined your arch rival to go ahead and be the number one guy but that's college football it only it adds more Fu to the fire I'm excited now for world's largest o outdoor cocktail party but let's just focus in on this game to the tone I truly believe that this might be the best running back that has walked through Athens Georgia since we've seen Nick chub yeah s similar style to probably um I mean who who else we missing here uh DeAndre Swift is probably gonna be the best guy they've had since Nick chub was there I would agree with that kid kid I like you're talk about the Run game I think they lacked that explosive Run game last year dude the Nate Fraser kid out here is Bing out in the in spr in the fall Camp form 59 and a half 206 looking at his track time right now he's from Modern Day true kid ran a 10500 meter kid kind of has that little can get skinny through a hole can win at all three levels got a little bit of a smaller if you go back and watch a little bit of I mean I'm kind of dating myself here Mark Ingram back in his day he's a little twitchier more flued through the hips than Mark ingr was but that's how you kind of feel like plays with a good pad level plays over his toes going to fall forward but has that acceleration burst I think that can because again what Georgia missed last year was those home run uh plays at the running back position that you mentioned Trevor etan's gonna be able to bring I think Nate Fraser is gonna bring that then they're going to bring in the Bruiser I think rodri Robinson who's just a freaking tank so I'm with you I think Georgia could have probably arguably the best running back room um in the conference this year so I'm fired up about their new additions like you said starting off their two new additions that because me and you both know Cole game Cole it is an explosive game now offensively you're not going to go be 2020 Texas A&M and go have an 11 play drive or you're number one uh in third down efficiency in the country you can do that that's just a hard ask in today's you got to score from far at times I think etn I'm with you and Nate Frasier give them that boost of scoring hitting the home runs from 60 70 yards out uh and not making them have to extend drive so I'm I'm excited about that I'll tell you what last season one of the best rushing attacks that wasn't talked about enough was headlined by Jaylen Wright and Knoxville Tennessee I think you're seeing a very similar skill plus set in Trevor etn you could have a top 10 rushing attack take a lot of pressure off of this passing game but we've already mentioned it just felt like the rich got richer this off season with every single piece being added it's like you double down you double down you hit 21 the dealer bust that was the transfer portal because you get Kobe young you get London humph you keep Dylan Bell you keep Oscar Delp you get Ben urasc coming over from Stanford by the way if you have not spent a good Friday night 3 o'clock in the morning can't fall asleep you want to dream of nightmare matchups go turn on his Stanford tape last year he was the one beauty of Palo Alto Cardinal football they have weapons and dudes and studs but I do want to mention this as much as they do have weapons in Athens they have weapons in Clemson South Carolina it's unproven weapons it's a lot of unknown but they do have weapons they went out and they made sure that they were going to land one wide receiver that finally would get them back to the level of what we know about wide receiver U Clemson Tiger football they went they brought in Bryant Wesco they went they brought in TJ Moore both of them were four stars some were even considered them some even considered more a five star they may have to step up really big this year they still have Antonio Williams on the roster and here's the other part that's really important the way that we've continue to hear people talk about Payton Thoren down at Auburn Alabama where it's another year in the system it's another year to kind of learn underneath this offense he gets the spring football he feels more comfortable with his Personnel is there any any scenario where maybe that's the same thing for a guy like k club night where we get another year of him having plays alongside in this been the Playbook of of Garrett Riley there's a bit more familiarity he has that relationship to where he's already thrusted the starting role but he's gain that confidence the offensive line is a little bit more protected and so now we are envisioning a actual Clemson Tiger team that is probably not going to win a National Title but they're damn sure going to be a threat in the playoff yeah they should be pretty good up front remember hey we got former Old Miss head coach and George offensive line coach Matt Luke's the offensive line coach which is one of the best hires of the offseason yeah Clemson's got about four starter that Center Spot they're still trying to figure out I think that's a competition right so they should be good up front I think another guy you mentioned a good point clay I think uh Cole I think Kade kumnick in that second year with Garrett Riley will really help but honestly the tight end we had talked about I think he could be a weapon for them that we had seen the Jake Bren stool I think he's one of their better tight ends they've had uh in Clemson history what I think he had like eight went for 850 last year 10 touchdowns something like that he'll be a weapon especially in the Red Zone that'll be someone Georgia Glen Suman and him will have to key on who's m in that nickel spot covered to him what linebackers CJ Allen Small mundan railen Wilson somebody covered him that could be a matchup I could see Garrett riy trying to take advantage of but um yeah I mean it do they lean on the offens Clemson's game plan this game will be interesting because do you go lean on like Phil mafa the running back with four starters return on the offensive line you just and Georgia was they were vulnerable on the interior last year I mean they weren't near now I think some of that is a tight Mt front they were willing to give some of that up but again they're waiting for a big guy to step up Georgia on the interior AER stack Al Warren Brinson coming off injury I think they'll have him they're just saving him a little bit I think Michel Williams is gonna fluctuate all over line up in a three outside yeah I think they're doing that for his benefit also can Georgia generate a pass rush with just four without blitzing Chaz chamblas is the that um I'm hearing Improvement a little bit I think he's got some soft tissue injury but last year that was a little bit of an issue they had Deon Wilson who was really just a third down specialist they bring in but they didn't have an every down guy that you're like yeah we're not have to bring that fifth or sixth guy we can go get a pass rush on Fourth that could be key for K Club Nick as well especially if they could uh establish the run with Phil mafa early and it won't allow Georgia to blitz so that'll be key I'm actually really interested now we're talking about the Garrett what is Garrett Riley's initial game plan coming to this like how do they get started offens feels like do we kind of go attack the weakness was last year I don't think it's going to be that this year though or do you start kind of using in the intermediate game getting that tight end out there now I think Georgia would adjust to that and take that away but it'll be interesting how they attack initially I just don't think long term in this game Clemson has enough offensive answers to go beat Georgia just straight up when the clock hits triple zeros in the fourth quarter probably around 3:30 4 o'clock Eastern on August 31st you got some young players on both sides of the football mostly on the offensive side Jay Haynes the red shirt freshman at running back behind mafa you also got again we mentioned TJ Moore Bryant Wesco and the problem is that on the opposing side you got a veteran leader at every level of the defensive field you have Malachi Starks on the back end of course we've already talked about what we get with a guy in Michel Williams coming off the edge and at middle linebacker one of the biggest breakout stars of 2024 was CJ Allen and 2023 was CJ Allen so all three are going to be major studs but let me ask you Dave before we move on give a prediction one player you are most excited to see from George's offense or defense in this game well I me I mentioned him earlier Nate Fraser be one but I think they kind of ease him in because again I think all these guys are going to start getting ready for these four or five extra games teams like Georgia Texas we're talking about who think they're legitimately gonna go play for a national championship and for for good reason so I mentioned Nate Fraser so giving you another name you mentioned him early offensively yeah I want to see who steps up at wide receiver one Co Kobe young the Miami transfer is a guy that stands out initially I wanted to say Dylan Bell but I'm going to go Kobe young on offense because they need that wide receiver one to step up there's going to be plays to be made because I think Clemson secondary is so thin I mean the only sure thing they got going on in their secondary is the Terrell kid out there is uh like I said AJ Terrell's little brother Avon Terrell so I think that's the only for sure thing out there everybody else seems like kind of toss up or they're banged up a little bit and then on defense just giving you another name for Georgia dude call me crazy and I think we know what we're going to see with Michael Williams I want to see where like I want to see a guy like Janelle Aguero the star of the nickel spot I think he's going to change that whole secondary on the back end if he can stay in that star nickel spot for Georgia because again they're waiting on that who's that other safety next to malacha Star is that Dan Jackson who's got the more experienced sural guy is it KJ bowton The Freshman feenom he's gonna play but again that safety position in Georgia we all know you got to be able to communicate that's asking a lot for a true freshman in his first game against an opponent in opposition like to go out there and be able to communicate that effectively it'll come but I don't know if it's there in the first game that's why I think Jon El Aguero is going to be key in this game and then obviously 11 other games 13 14 15 that Georgia's probably gonna go play so I'm excited to see him at the star spot I already said this before I think that Ben urisk is the the ideal position that you want to replace a guy like Brock Bowers I called him Kirkland brand Brock Bowers it was one of the best moves made of the off season you're not going to be able to replace number 19 a two-time John macki Award winner but if you had to go with somebody that could easily step up I think the kid from Stanford is about ready to show the world why last season there were many people saying he was going to be one of the top tight ends drafted in 2024 sides come back now he's going to play for a national championship more than likely defensively I'm actually gonna say KJ Balden I I I think that there is some value about having a young safety that is not afraid to step up demand Excellence be be willing to call some plays be willing to add a little bit of that voice into this into the the back end you remember when Malachi Starks came on to campus they they did not fear putting him out there there were some questions they certainly were a little bit hesitant when it came to his overall play style but they were had no fear saying if we have to play him this season he's going to be prepared and so when you go up against Clemson a team that may be a rematch later on in the playoffs if things go a certain way you're gonna have to go and play up to that level of competition and this is a good litness test to see where he is so I want to when he's not going up against players in practice and he doesn't have to hide holding back that hammer he can deliver the crushing blow he can play in coverage he can make some plays on the back end and be physical with some wide receivers where he's not going to be penalized in practice how does that factor in with Malachi Starks because of once again Stark this year is probably going to be the best safety that goes to the NFL draft I would say you got to have a replacement going into 2025 KJ Balton is that guy can he step up right away Dave there have been over 60 matches between these two teams all time Georgia has the 43 18-4 Victory they're currently on a two game win streak the betting lines minus 14 going into this game over under set at 48.5 thank you claim both both I don't think Clemson has gonna have the offensive answers to really go put up a ton of points on Georgia I can see them putting up more yards than people anticipate but again that's one of the more overrated stats total yards in college football now uh but I think the rule thing I'm be looking on who steps up as an offensive playmaker of Georgia I think they have them I think they have them I just want to see who it is especially really kind of look at that wide receiver spot uh I'm like you I think big day for Trevor etn big day for Carson Beck I think the offensive Line's going to prove it's one of the best offensive lines top two or three if not the first in the country I think um this is a game and a half but I think the depth I think Georgia starts to lean on Clemson in the second half they overpower that um front seven that does lack some depth and I think they take their shots off play action I think it's going to be something like 3413 is going to be that final we're close I I will say that but let me let me just go ahead and set the T him two years ago Dan Lanning marched into Atlanta to face off against his former boss and and that year they still had a dominant season they were fantastic they finished with 11 wins on the season you get B Nicks to come back for another year and everyone focuses in on not that loss but what happened because of that loss I feel like that's Clemson this year that Clemson is going to be one of those teams that eventually we will see in Charlotte we will see them potentially in the college football playoff they'll be one of the 12 best rosters you'll get that Enigma and that inertia drive from Kate kumnick you'll see these wide receivers step up you'll see a good run game you'll see this defense be physical as all hell in the ACC they will be right back in the conversation as a legit threat to go ahead and make it to the dance it's just not gonna happen happen in this game that's ultimately what I think comes down to it I think that you will see a good rushing attack headlined by Trevor etn I think Ben urk is going to be the guy that we talk about by this by the game's end as the new breakout player I think this defense is going to be able to Feast on K cnick make some mistakes I think KJ Balin has a good performance in this in the third quarter I'm G to go 38-7 I do think that they will hit the over I do think that they will cover the spread ultimately this is a game that I think doesn't Define either program in their respective conferences but this is just a game where it's physical on physical you come out on top if you are Georgia yeah if you're Clemson you agree with me here Cole I think don't go get embarrassed because it could hurt you down the line in that playoff committee if you were trying to get in and be maybe a second I don't think the ACC gets three teams but if you're trying to get that second team show a competitive first game and I and again me and you score predictions don't predict blowouts but that that would kind of be uh if you're were Clemson hey go out there let's see what because I think most realistic Clemson fans know they're they they're probably not expecting to go win this game but hey let's go look like we can go contend for the ACC and for Georgia yeah I mean it's they kind of think it's revenge tour uh season they got some question marks but hey it's first world problems in Athens for a lot of programs it won't be a rematch of what we saw a few years ago in Charlotte but this will be a game that I think does have major implications of the college football playoff he's Dave sh I'm Cole Thompson make sure that you hit subscribe down below that way you don't miss a single episode preview or any content found at your new home for sec unfiltered and the home of the SEC content make sure that you're following us on the social channels Tik Tok Facebook Instagram Twitter @ SEC unfiltered follow Dave on Twitter moens Sports follow me on Twitter Mr Cole Thompson download the podcast version of the show wherever you get your podcast listening systems and to keep up with the number one source for all things SEC visit SEC unfiltered.com until next time he's Dave shate I'm Cole Thompson later 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