There are two monster non conference games this year, Oregon @ OSU and also Clemson vs Georgia. Clemson is going to win the ACC and UGA is supposed to win the SEC East and challenge Bama. The ramifications are huge for this game, Clemson winning this games means they skate into a free playoff spot. UGA winning means that they have a great shot of making the playoffs even if they lose to Bama(meaning 2 SEC teams in the playoffs.)
Vegas odds-Clemson is currently a 3.5 point favorite with an over/under of 51.5(implied score of Clemson winning 27.5-24.) The game is at a neutral site in North Carolina.
Clemson Preview-The story for Clemson starts on the defense where they have 9 starters back including all 4 starters of a ridiculously talented DL. Xavier Thomas, Bryan Breese, and Myles Murphy are freaks and this will nationally be perceived as the best DL in the country. They have 2 starting linebackers back and everybody is back in the secondary other than CB1 Derion Kendrick who transferred to UGA. This defense should be nasty at stopping the run and rushing the passer. The secondary may not have high end talent though. On offense DJ Uiaglgleoi replaces TLaw. RB is a question mark with true freshman Will Shipley replacing Travis Ettienne. Receiver is interesting with Justyn Ross back after missing all of 2021, they also have Frank Ladson and Joseph Ngata returning. That is 3 receivers 6'3"+ that will be starting. The biggest weakness for Clemson is a poor OL. They werent great last year and lost their LT and C and replace them with guys who werent talented recruits. The LT is listed at 6'2". They will need guys with low ceilings to take steps forward to win a title.
Georgia Preview-This team will go as far as the offense will take it. JT Daniels started at the end of the year and torched some bad defenses. They have the best RB room in the country that is overflowing with 5 stars with experience. Arik Gilbert and Darnell Washington are the most talented TE room in the country but neither may be available vs Clemson. Kearis Jackson and Germaine Burton will lead the receivers after #1WR George Picken tore his ACL. The OL isnt as freaky talented as in recent years after losign 3 OL to the draft. The offense is talented but I dont think they are overly scary at any position. Georgia's 3-4 defense should be fantastic. The DL is absolutely loaded with space eaters and Nolan Smith as the EDGE player is a first round talent. The other 3 LBs are all back for what will be a very strong front 7. In the secondary UGA brought in 2 starters at corner and will be returning 2 starting safeties.
Overall thoughts-I think the defenses are very, very similar. The front 7s are going to lead the team and are basically opposites. Clemson has a freaky talented DL with old experienced Backers. UGA has a freaky talented LB unit with old experienced DL. Both secondaries should be good but not great. On offense they are good but both have a significant weakness. Clemson has a bad OL for an elite team and UGA isn't going to have an explosive passing game.
