Clemson and Georgia will open the 2024 season in the national spotlight when the Tigers and Bulldogs square off in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Aflac Kickoff Game on Saturday, Aug. 31 (12 p.m., ABC).

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart spoke about the marquee non-conference tilt in Atlanta, explaining why the Bulldogs scheduled Clemson.

“Opportunity,” Smart said, via UGA Football on Dawg Post. “I mean, the bottom line was our kids come to the University of Georgia to play in big games, and we had an opportunity to play a really good opponent. And for me, it was what Georgia’s about. Our fans crave these kind of games, and we as coaches crave these kind of games. You find out a lot more about yourself in these kind of games.

“And look, for you guys, it’s everything – it’s over if you don’t win, and you won it all if you do win. For us, it’s an opportunity to grow. It’s going to make us better in our SEC schedule. Regardless of the outcome of the game, we’re going to be a better team having played these guys, and they can say the same for playing us. And these opportunities are what you come to major colleges to play in. So, when you had an opportunity to drop a paid opponent and get this game, it was something we both jumped at.”

Clemson will attempt to earn its first win against Georgia since 2013 in a matchup of regional rivals that have accounted for four of the last eight national championships. In the series’ 17 installments since 1980, the winner of this contest went on to win the national championship three times.

The Tigers (9-4, 4-4 ACC in 2023) are looking to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020 following six straight playoff appearances from 2015-20. The Bulldogs (13-1, 8-1 SEC in 2023) won back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 before missing the playoff last season.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!