Painter’s Preview Week One: Clemson vs. UGA
Clemson is set to start their 24-25 campaign on Aug. 31 in the Aflac Kickoff Game with a tough contest against the preseason AP Poll No. 1, the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers come into the season ranked No. 14, their lowest preseason ranking since 2014. After what many Tiger fans consider a mediocre year, Dabo and his crew look to shock the world Week 1 in Atlanta, GA. This game is a sequel to a stellar defensive affair played to open the 21-22 season that ended with the Bulldogs on-top 10-3.. Hoping to carry momentum from the five game win streak to end last season, Clemson looks to climb a mountain in Week 1.
Clemson Preview:
Clemson, led by Junior Quarterback Cade Klubnik, expects a bounce back season after a rather disappointing 23-24 season. Tiger Fandom expected a huge breakout year last season due to the hiring of touted Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley and first year starter Cade Klubnik. Clemson, however, ended the season with less than 10 wins for the first time since 2010. The Tigers were plagued with offensive struggles such as turnovers, inconsistent play, and injuries. Klubnik ended his inaugural starting season with 2,844 passing yards, 19 TDs, 9 INTs, and a 64% completion percentage (ESPN). Offensive hopes still remain high in Clemson, SC mostly due to the ten returning starters on the offensive side of the football. With so many returning starters, fans are attracted to the potential of improvement for the Clemson offense in year two of the Garrett Riley Era. Yet, mediocre Wide Receiver play the last few seasons has turned heads toward highly rated Freshman Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore who are expected to contribute early on. Clemson enters the season with a Running Back-Two competition as Keith Adams Jr., Jay Haynes, and Jarvis Green battle behind starter Phil Mafah. Mafah is expected to have a breakout season in his first full-time starting season with the help of new OL Coach Matt Luke. Clemson’s offense looks destined to see improvements with many returning starters and a more experienced Cade Klubnik.
The only bright-side of Clemson football last season expects to continue to shine bright during their 24-25 campaign. The Tiger defense is returning seven starters from last seasons star defense. Star defensive lineman Peter Woods and TJ Parker both enter into their Sophomore seasons looking to improve on stellar Freshman seasons. Woods is moving to Defensive End for the Tigers and is still expected to play some Defensive Tackle as well. The other interior defensive lineman positions are in position battles for the Tigers due to the departure of Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro to the NFL. They are expected to be filled with a rotation of many new potential starters: DeMonte Capehart (RS/SR), Payton Page (SR), Tre Williams (RS/SR), Stephiylan Green (RS/FR), and Vic Burley (RS/FR). The Tigers linebacker core lost starting Mike Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr, however, that role is expected to be filled by Junior Wade Woodaz. The rest of the Clemson linebacker core is bolstered by superstar Senior Barrett Carter and incoming five star Freshman Sammy Brown. Clemson’s young secondary is headlined by Sophomores Avieon Terrell and Khalil Barnes and Graduate Safety RJ Mickens However, the Free Safety and Cornerback-Two positions are in competition during Clemson’s fall camp. It is expected that the Free Safety turns out to be RS Sophomore Kylon Griffin or Graduate Tyler Venables, who is returning to the Tigers depth chart after missing last season due to injury. The Cornerback-Two position is assumed to be filled by Sophomore Shelton Lewis with Junior Jeadyn Lukus rotating in as a third option, but it will not be shocking to see Clemson rotate in Freshmen Ashton Hampton and Corian Gibson as well. The Tigers still are expected to continue their normal top tier defensive trends heading into the season.
Clemson’s Kicker position is still yet to be decided during fall camp as RS Sophomore Robert Gunn III battles it out with Freshman Nolan Hauser. The Tigers were plagued with field goal kicking issues during the duration of the 23-24 season in part to the struggles of Gunn. Gunn was benched in favor of Super Senior Jonathon Weitz who joined the Tigers during the season in hopes of solving their issue. Clemson expects to finally move past these kicking issues after a starter is named before Week One.
UGA Preview:
Heisman Hopeful Quarterback Carson Beck looks to avenge a “playoffless” season with the help of talented transfers: RB Trevor Etienne, WR Colbie Young, and TE Ben Yurosek. Georgia’s end to last season was less than desirable for Bulldog fans as they were left out of the College Football Playoff due to a late season loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Georgia ended the season 13-1, and Carson Beck ended his first starting campaign with 3,941 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs, and a 72% completion percentage (ESPN). Despite the amazing season, Beck and the Bulldogs return only one of Beck’s top five pass catchers, Dominic Lovett (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Georgia hopes new stars emerge within their receiving core beside Dominic Lovett. Potential breakouts are transfers Colbie Young, Landon Humphreys, and Ben Yurosek (TE). Veterans Dillion Bell, Arian Smith, and Oscar Delp (TE) look to take advantage of their opportunity as well. Georgia also lost their top two rushers, however they brought in one of the most sought after transfers, Trevor Etienne, from the Florida Gators. With the help of Etienne and four returning offensive line starters, the Bulldogs will most likely look to establish the run early.
Georgia’s defense looks to continue their persistent dominance with the help of nine returning starters. Headlined by star Junior safety Malaki Starks and star Senior linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., the Bulldogs defense hopes to continue their defensive trends. Ending last season tied for 8th in PPG, 29th in rushing yds./G, 12th in passing yds./G, and 10th in yds./G, I expect the Bulldogs to only improve those numbers (ESPN). Their defense is filled with veterans and should not experience hiccups very often. Georgia is expecting Freshmen KJ Bolden (S) and Ellis Robinson IV (CB) to get involved early into the season. Former Freshman All-American CJ Allen hopes to build upon a solid foundation set from last season. Overall, the Bulldog defense poses a tough challenge for everyone on their schedule, and it is geared with players good enough to carry Georgia to a playoff berth alone.
Keys to a Tiger Victory:
The Matt Luke Effect:
Clemson’s newest offensive hire is Offensive Line Coach Matt Luke. After only two seasons, the Tigers decided to part ways with former OL Coach Thomas Austin because of subpar offensive line play. With 20 years of coaching experience as an Offensive Line, Offensive Coordinator, and Head Coach, Luke will look to add a different outlook to Dabo’s Coaching Staff (“Clemson Tigers | Clemson University Athletics”). In order for the Tigers to walk out of Atlanta victorious, they will need to establish the run game and rely upon their newly revamped Offensive Line. Clemson’s offensive struggles begin on the Offensive Line, and Coach Luke will hope to establish confidence within the offense.
Secondary Depth:
As fall camp churns on, Clemson’s Secondary seems to be getting hit with the injury bug. Expected rotational Cornerbacks Jeadyn Lukus and Myles Oliver have been seen in limited contact jerseys throughout fall camp (“Clemson Football Camp Injury Report”). Sophomore Cornerback Shelton Lewis, who is expected to start for the Tigers, was injured during Clemson’s first scrimmage with an apparent leg injury. No new information has been given to this point, but Lewis has been on crutches since (Massey). These issues provide an opportunity for the Clemson Freshmen to compete for valuable playing time versus the Bulldogs. I expect the Cornerback-two Position to be an open battle between Freshmen Ashton Hampton, Corian Gibson, Tavoy Feagin, and RS/FR Branden Strozier, assuming Lukus and Lewis are not healthy. However, no matter the health status of the Tiger Secondary, its depth is going to play an important role in slowing down Heisman Hopeful Carson Beck.
Calm and Confident Cade:
Cade Klubnik is a key piece for the Tigers to beat the Bulldogs on Aug. 31. In order for Clemson to pull out the win, they need a calm and confident Cade Klubnik at the helm. With a full year under his belt, Tiger Fans want to see a jump in production for the Junior. Klubnik’s road production last season was less than desirable, as he threw for 1,413 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTs, with a 63% completion percentage (ESPN). Dabo and Co. need to see a shift in Klubnik’s road trends in order to pull off this victory away from the Valley. The Georgia Bulldogs will not be easy to fool defensively because of their amount of returning starters. So in order for the Clemson offense to be successful, they need a calm and confident Klubnik behind a revamped OL to dissect the strong Bulldog defense.
Tiger Watch: Wade Woodaz
Georgia is returning four starting Offensive Linemen, and they brought in star Running Back Trevor Etienne. The Bulldogs will look to establish the run early into this game and heavily attack the Tiger front seven. So I believe the Tiger to watch is Junior Linebacker Wade Woodaz. Tiger fans should look for Woodaz to make his veteran presence known in a larger leadership role. If the Tigers come out victorious against the Bulldogs, it will be because of great play from Wade Woodaz.
Sources:
“Aflac Kickoff Game - Clemson vs Georgia , August 31, 2024 | Event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.” Mercedesbenzstadium.com, 2024, www.mercedesbenzstadium.com/events/aflac-kickoff-game---clemson-vs-georgia. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
“Clemson Football Camp Injury Report.” Clemson Sports News, 11 Aug. 2024, clemsonsportsnews.com/clemson-football-camp-injury-report/. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
“Clemson Tigers | Clemson University Athletics.” Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site, clemsontigers.com/.
ESPN. “ESPN.” ESPN.com, 2019, www.espn.com/.
Massey, Evan. “Clemson Tigers Defensive Back Suffers Concerning Injury during Practice.” Clemson Tigers on SI, Sports Illustrated, 13 Aug. 2024, www.si.com/college/clemson/football/clemson-tigers-defensive-back-suffers-concerning-injury-during-practice. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
“NFL Draft Guide, Mock Drafts, News | Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services.” Ourlads.com, 2024, www.ourlads.com/. Accessed 13 Aug. 2024.
“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com.” Sports-Reference.com, 2019, www.sports-reference.com/.