Georgia Football will see statement victory over Clemson Tigers

Georgia Football’s opening game is just a couple of days away as the Bulldogs get ready to take on Clemson in an AP Top-5 showdown.

The Dawgs are No. 5 on the AP Top-25 poll, and the Tigers are No. 3, which should excite both fans because what a way to open up the year? A top-5 opponent on Week 1 — this is an excellent chance to really make a statement.

Both teams have excellent defenses and two quarterbacks that could lead each offense to success. So this game could be an offensive shoot-out or a low-scoring defensive grudge match. If it turns out to be that, then the Dawgs’ chances increase even more.

The Bulldogs and Tigers kick off on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Dukes Mayo Classic, where ABC will televise one of the biggest opening game showdowns in recent college football history.

Here are how the Dawn of the Dawgs’ staff predict the game will go, and it’s evident they all think it’ll be a statement victory for Georgia.

Savannah Leigh

The entire Georgia football team seems to have a different buzz surrounding them, and while I’m sure I’ve said that in the past, the mindset this team has is special.

Georgia’s defense needs to win the trench battle and make that offensive line crumble. If they can get to D.J. Uiagalelei and rattle him, then we could be in for a fun game.

Then there is J.T. Daniels, who now has a full year under his belt with offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the program. Even though he shined in those four games he played last season, this season will see something special. He understands what it means to play for a team like Georgia, and his leadership skills are special.

Georgia must have a balanced offense against the Tigers because whichever offense becomes one-dimensional will lose this game. Let those running backs run and then have Daniels make some plays through the air.

Even though the Dawgs are missing two big-time wideouts, the guys they do have will step up and prove they earned this playing time.

However, I  think it’ll come down to Jack Podlesny making a game-winning field goal to get the job done, and I  trust that young man to get it done.

This game could be the national title game, so the Dawgs must make the statement and prove they deserve to be on a stage this big.

Score Prediction: 31-28

Seth Saunders

The last time America saw Clemson’s defense, Justin Fields and Ohio State were busy hanging half-a-hundred on ’em. After watching the film, Todd Monken, JT Daniels, and the Georgia offense should be licking their chops.

Equipped with the roster depth and game-changing weapons to challenge Clemson’s vaunted defensive line while also stressing their secondary vertically, Georgia will ceremoniously usher out the man-ball era and introduce all of college football to their newly-minted high octane offense.

On defense, Charlotte’s own Jordan Davis will lead a Georgia defense that is, dare I say, underrated coming into the 2021 season. Jalen Carter, Travon Walker, and Devonte Wyatt team with Davis to give the Dawgs d-line depth that rivals Clemson.

The back 7 led by Nakobe Dean, Lewis Cine, Adam Anderson, and Clemson-transfer Derion Kendrick will be as formidable a group as has suited up in the Kirby Smart era.

By night’s end, Georgia fans will have visions of Junkyard Dawgs dancing in their heads. Georgia is too strong on both sides of the ball for their historical rival in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. Georgia wins by 10.

Score Prediction: 38-28

Ashley Espie

Some of us (ahem, me) refuse to make gameday predictions for superstitious reasons. I can’t pick against my teams. Anything less than 100% belief in the outcome could potentially be detrimental.

And while I love football, I enjoy the experience — the fans, the players, the stories, atmosphere, traditions, etc. Stats, predictions, and numbers aren’t my strength.

I am, however, looking extremely forward to the game Saturday. After a full offseason with Todd Monken, the potential for the offense is high, and I can’t wait to see if they live up to the hype.

But I’m really excited about the defense. Even with the inexperience in the secondary, that defensive line and linebacker corps is straight-up scary. Plus, we’re all hoping Jordan Davis is going to put on a show in Charlotte.

Georgia and Clemson will be an absolute showdown between two of the best teams in college football. Can the Dawgs beat the Tigers? It’s possible, and it could be the moment we see a whole new level of Georgia football where they elevate their game to the point of beating teams like this.

Saturday, won’t define the entire season, but it’ll give Georgia fans a great idea of what kind of team this is. If they make a statement, it’ll be the start of a special season.