Clemson vs. Georgia ranks top five in 2024 nonconference games

On3’s ranking of the top nonconference games of the 2024 college football season sees Clemson-Georgia one spot below LSU vs. USC.

When it comes to Week 1 matchups in college football this season, only a select few have the anticipation of Clemson vs. Georgia.

The game is awash in plenty of storylines. Georgia is a good bet to be ranked preseason No. 1 by the AP and Coaches Polls. Clemson, on the other hand, is further down on preseason and post-spring Top 25 lists after coming off the program’s first four-loss season since 2011.

The two regional rivals will kick off the 2024 season at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium August 31 at noon ET. The game will be televised nationally by ABC.

Clemson-Georgia ranked No. 4 in a new ranking of the Top 10 nonconference games by On3’s Jesse Simonton. The much-hyped Texas vs. Michigan matchup in Week 2 in Ann Arbor was No. 1 on On3’s list. Week 1 matchups Miami vs. Florida (in Gainesville) and LSU vs. USC (in Las Vegas) were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

On3 writes:

“At first glance, this game might merit a higher ranking on this list. It’s a gorgeous helmet matchup, and we’ve seen these teams tussle several times in the last decade. But the programs are trending in very opposite directions — as evidenced by the game’s way-too-early line which has Georgia as close to a two-touchdown favorite.

The Bulldogs bring back one of the best rosters in the country, while the Tigers have continued questions offensively because of Dabo Swinney’s refusal to use the transfer portal. The opener will feature two of the top defenses in 2024, so the good (UGA offense) on good (Clemson defense) showdown could provide some early clues as to how the rest of the season could play out.”

The game will mark the second meeting between Swinney and Georgia’s Kirby Smart as coaches. The Bulldogs and Tigers met in the season opener in 2021 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. Georgia won that game, 10-3.

The Tigers and Bulldogs have met every decade since the late 1800s when college football was still in its infancy. With the exception of 1972, Clemson and Georgia played annually as nonconference rivals from 1962 through 1987. After a three-year pause, the Tigers and Bulldogs met four more times between 1990 and ’95.

Georgia leads the all-time series, 43-18-4. Clemson’s last win over the Dawgs was a 38-35 shootout in Death Valley to open the 2013 season.

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