Keys to Victory: No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 5 Georgia

Each week we give you a look at the history of the game, three keys to success, plus Swanny’s prediction.

The Match-Up:

No. 3 Clemson (0-0 overall, 0-0 ACC) vs. Georgia (0-0 overall, 0-0 SEC)

Clemson @ Georgia 2014

Clemson vs. Georgia 2013

Series History:

Overall: Clemson trails 18-42-4
at Clemson: Clemson leads 10-9-1
at Georgia: Georgia leads 27-7-1
Neutral: Clemson trails 1-6-1
Last Meeting: Georgia won 45-21 in 2014
Last Clemson win: 38-35 in 2013
Streak: Georgia, Won 1

Stat of the Week:

Including games against No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 3 Ohio State to end last season, the opener against No. 5 Georgia will be Clemson's third straight contest against an AP Top 5 opponent. The stretch marks Clemson's first time in school history facing three consecutive AP Top 5 opponents.

Chasing History:

The contest will be Clemson's first since a 49-28 defeat at the hands of Ohio State to end the 2020 season, but Clemson has historically responded well following losses under Head Coach Dabo Swinney. Swinney's Clemson teams are 26-6 in games following a loss, including season openers following a loss in the previous season finale. Clemson has played 127 games since losing back-to-back contests, the longest active streak in the nation and the longest in ACC history, per ESPN. Clemson’s last time losing back-to-back games came in 2011, a note Clemson will try to keep active with a victory on Saturday.

Key 1: Time is Money

Fortunately for Clemson, starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei's second career start was against Notre Dame in the huge Top-4 matchup in South Bend on November 7, 2020. That experience, all be it without tons of fans in attendance, should serve him well this weekend in Charlotte.

The highly-touted five-star recruit will move into a different role this season, however, as he takes the keys to the Clemson offense from Trevor Lawrence. Uiagalelei absolutely has the arm talent to be a tremendous player during his time in Tiger Town, but the remaining questions most likely surround his poise-- especially if the offensive line fails to protect him on Saturday night. 

One major positive, looking back at the matchup against the Fighting Irish, is that although Clemson suffered a 40-47 loss, it wasn't Uiagalelei’s play that left the Tigers short in double overtime. It was the defense’s inability to get a stop late. Uiagalelei delivered what could have been a game-winning drive and that needs to be noted.

Keep him upright-- and I think with high levels of confidence, the young quarterback could shine on the biggest stage. But if he has to run for his life all evening, the Bulldogs could seize control of the Top 5 contest.

Last season before that Notre Dame contest, I said this, and it stands true today:

To start the game, it’s on the offensive line to protect the freshman signal-caller in the pocket. Uiagalelei is certainly capable of being a mobile threat, but it’s important to let him get comfortable throwing the ball first.

Give him time to make his reads, set his feet, and deliver timely, accurate passes. Because once Uiagalelei gets his confidence about him and settles in, there’s no telling what the young prodigy is capable of doing.

Ditto to all of that.

Key 2: Get ‘Rossed’

Clemson’s strength on offense has to be depth at wideout, but few returning at the position have ever been as celebrated as Justyn Ross, who is making his way back to the field. 

Ross, who burst on the scene as a freshman, will certainly get opportunities against the Bulldogs, especially now that he’s playing in the slot, but there are several other top-flight targets for Uiagalelei, and one in particular, sophomore E.J. Williams could also have a huge impact. 

While analysts tend to mention juniors Frank Ladson and Joe Ngata, Dabo Swinney brought up Williams earlier this week. Williams is a former Central High (AL) teammate of Ross, and they could make for a great pair in 2021.

"Yeah, the first time I saw E.J., I was like, ‘wow, he's a faster Justyn Ross,’ that was kind of my reaction. I mean, it looks like they're, I mean, they're like clones,” Swinney said on Wednesday. “They're almost the same length, E.J. might be a little longer, to be honest with you. Justyn would probably be mad at me and argue with me, but E.J. is probably just a step faster.”

Could the College Football world be subject to ‘double vision’ as Ross (No. 8) and Williams (No. 6) both present themselves as wideouts who could make huge plays to help Uiagalelei settle in on Saturday? 

Key 3: Win the L.O.S.

A year ago, Clemson’s offense struggled to move the ball on the ground-- especially in key moments when they needed a crucial yard or two. Unfortunately for the Tigers, this opener provides a stout defensive front.

“They all look the same. They're all massive,” Dabo Swinney said of the Bulldogs’ defensive line. “I mean, you just change the numbers out 88, 95, 99.” 

In addition to Jalen Carter (88), Devonte White (95), and Jordan Davis (99), the Dawgs also have a “Christian Wilkins-esque” player in No. 44 Travon Walker as Swinney noted on Wednesday.

“He can go play three-technique. He can keep playing nine technique-- legit D-End. All across the board, they're just all massive-- but that's what they've recruited to. They move the pocket, they're incredibly difficult to move,” Swinney noted.

If Clemson’s going to be successful, it will start upfront, and we’ve got a feeling you will see some quick throws out of the backfield to the Tiger running backs to neutralize the studs on the defensive line.

Asked what the plan was to slow Georgia’s defensive strength, Swinney said he wasn’t going to divulge any info ahead of kickoff.

"There are lots of things you can do, but I'm not going to unveil the game plan here on Wednesday. There's a lot of things we can do-- maybe they'll let us play with 12 (players).”

It’s safe to say the Tigers' offensive line better be ready to play tonight.

Prediction:

Enough with all the chatter. It’s time to play the game and the truth is, this one could go either way. Georgia is as talented as anyone and there is ZERO doubt that the Dawgs are Clemson’s toughest test this season-- right out of the gate.

If Smart’s bunch was at 100% with guys like Arik Gilbert etc. in the fold, I’d be more inclined to think that Daniels could outplay Uiagalelei, but I just don’t see that happening.

Clemson’s offense in 2020 was hindered by injuries at the wideout position, and I believe Ross’s return will be huge for the Tigers. Look for Will Shipley to make an impact catching the ball out of the backfield as well, showcasing his five-star billing on the national stage.

The Dawgs are really good-- Clemson’s just a bit better in a venue they are accustomed to playing in. My only worry about my prediction is that it might be too low-- for both teams. 

No. 3 Clemson 31, No. 5 Georgia 27

Swanny’s Predictions: