SEC Network Host, 'I think Georgia Beats the Hell out of Clemson'

Clemson will kick off the 2024 season at noon on Aug. 31 against Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The Tigers are double-digit (-13.5 points) underdogs to the Bulldogs, who are expected to open the season as the No. 1 team in college football. 

The rivals last met in Charlotte, NC, at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 4, 2021, when No. 5 Georgia won the hard-fought defensive battle 10-3 on the strength of safety Christopher Smith's 74-yard interception touchdown return of an errant pass from quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. 

Clemson was ranked No. 3 and considered at least a playoff contender before losing to the eventual national champs. 

When the 2024 preseason rankings are released, Clemson should return to the top 25. They finished No. 20 in the final 2023 poll with a record of 9-4 after defeating Kentucky 38-35 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and winning five consecutive games, including over two ranked opponents (No. 15 Notre Dame and No. 20 North Carolina). 

There are varying opinions on whether the Tigers will make the playoffs and whether they are a national title contender for the upcoming season. Still, there seems to be a unanimous consensus that the Bulldogs will dog them on Aug. 31.  

On Day 2 of the 2024 SEC Media Day coverage from Dallas, TX, on SEC Network, SEC This Morning hosts Peter Burns and Chris Doering started the coverage from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

During a segment called Start, Bench, or Cut, the hosts were asked to imagine if marquee matchups from Saturday, Aug. 31, Clemson vs. Georgia, Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M (3:30 pm), and Miami vs. Florida (7:30 pm), were played simultaneously on that day. 

Next, Doering, Burns, and regular guest Luke Braland were to select a device, a big-screen TV, a laptop or iPad, or a phone to watch a game based hypothetically on the result's impact on the season. In other words, for example, the big screen is for the most intriguing game, and the phone is for the least intriguing game. 

"I'm cutting it," said Doering of the Tigers matchup with Georgia. 

"I'm not cutting it," said Burns. "But I'm watching it on the phone if I had to have it up against A&M and Notre Dame."

The trio agreed that the Sunshine State clash between Miami and Florida would occupy the big screen, The Irish vs. The Aggies on the laptop or iPad, and Tigers and Bulldogs on the phone. 

Furthermore, Doering made an early prediction for the contest between two-time national championship coaches Dabo Swinney and Kirby Smart. 

"I think Georgia beats the hell out of Clemson in that game," he said. "I don't think they have the offense to be able to keep up with Georgia."

Burns held off from making a prediction but stated how a Tigers' upset would impact the season while surprisingly referencing one of the most unimaginable upsets in college football history. 

"It wouldn't be App State versus Michigan," said Burns, alluding to the Mountaineers' 34-32 defeat of No. 5 Michigan as 33-point underdogs on Sept. 1, 2007, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. 

"But Clemson beating Georgia to start the season would be an unbelievable, just complete lever pull for the rest of the college football season," continued Burns as Doering [interrupting] repeated emphatically, "Not going to happen. Not going to happen."

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