Why does this game matter so much to UGA's national championship hopes?
The Bulldogs will find out a lot about themselves in this first game of the season. The Bulldog defense was decimated by the NFL draft and will need to make a major impact with its underclassmen filled defense. If they are exposed early and often by Clemson the game film from this performance will be utilized over and over by opposing defensive coaches to expose UGA's defensive flaws.
UGA has only one full time returning starter from last season according to ESPN which is defensive back Damian Swann. This might not be all bad for the Dawgs. The previous Bulldog defense struggled mightily against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game and a new gang without previously developed bad habits might be just what the Bulldogs need at defense.
UGA has to be able to put away Clemson early. This is the simple truth when you think about the monumental task that UGA will have against Jadaveon Clowney and the South Carolina Gamecocks. What Mark Richt and the UGA faithful are asking the Bulldogs to do is nothing short of fighting two heavyweight championship fights in back to back weeks. Georgia cannot afford to go deep into the night against Clemson on Aug. 31. They cannot come out flat but must find a balance that allows them to keep the Tigers down without running their players ragged for the Carolina game.
UGA must be able to effectively use it's four headed monster on offense. Those who know anything about UGA football know I am speaking about Aaron Murray, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, and Malcolm Mitchell. Mike Bobo has not really had a problem finding an effective way of using his personnel but it is a new season and no one will be sleeping on these Bulldogs.
If UGA loses to Clemson they still have a chance at the SEC championship but they will more than likely be knocked out of the national championship picture. However, if the Dawgs suffer a loss to Clemson they will more than likely suffer a loss to the Gamecocks. It does't matter what you believe Jadaveon Clowney and the USC Gamecocks are gonna give the Dawgs a fit. This game has been a fight year after year. It appears that it will continue to be as long as Steve Spurrier is the head coach at USC. If these two losses happen the Dawgs can prepare at best for a two loss season where they come up short of expectations again.
What does this game mean for Tajh Boyd and the Clemson Tigers?
This game means one thing for the entire Clemson Tiger nation LEGITIMACY. Clemson lives in the shadow of the entire SEC. Especially South Carolina and Georgia with whom they are constantly in recruiting wars with. Dabo Swinney has spent his first few years building the Clemson football program in the the ACC team that has almost gotten it done. Believe this ACC fans Clemson and Dabo Swinney are for real. I have often heard of them as being referred to as the Oregon of the east coast. Clemson and Dabo would have liked to have claimed legitimacy when they defeated LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Jan 1. However, Dabo and Boyd both know that without a win over UGA in the season opener this year all their efforts will be a failure. For Clemson this game will decide recruiting wars, conference bragging rights and could signal a shift in prime SEC East recruiting country for the ACC by showing they are ready to play "BIG BOY" football. This game will also give the Tigers a legitimate shot at making it to the National Championship game.
With the recent success of both programs you better believe this will be the biggest game of the early part of the college football season. The University of Georgia has not won a National Championship since Herschel Walker and Vince Dooley walked the sidelines of Sanford Stadium. Georgia has come close to playing for the national title in 2008 and then was five yards short of the big game in 2012. The Clemson Tigers have not seen the National Championship trophy since 1981and have not really been close to playing for it since that year. However, this resurrected rivalry that was one of the fiercest of the 1980's will surely be entertaining and is critical for the future success for the rest of the decade.
For more reading on this matter check out what Sammy Watkins Clemson's top wideout had to say about playing Georgia this season. Sammy Watkins Comments courtesy of @ajcuga on Twitter.
The final factor for this matchup will be the effects it has on the Heisman Trophy race for both Aaron Murray and Tajh Boyd. Both quarterbacks are viable candidates for the trophy but they will be judged by the big games this season. Some people will argue that Teddy Bridgewater and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel are the front runners but, this might not be the case after the first football game of the season. I hope this one is as good as advertised. See y'all on August 31.
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