Clemson’s offensive troubles have continued as they faced a tough challenge against the top-ranked Georgia team, suffering a 34-3 defeat. The No. 14 Tigers managed only 188 total yards and averaged 3.6 yards per play. In the first half, they spent just two snaps inside Georgia’s territory, one of which ended in a loss. The only points for Clemson came from a 26-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, by which time the Bulldogs had established a 13-0 lead. Responding quickly, Georgia scored a touchdown on the following drive, effectively extinguishing any budding momentum for Clemson.
Last season, Georgia narrowly missed the College Football Playoff, but this year they appear primed to challenge for a third national championship in four years. The Tigers struggled to gain any significant ground against Georgia, with long gains feeling like rare occurrences. Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 18 of 29 passes for 142 yards and threw an interception, struggling largely due to the ineffective offensive line and a lack of separation from his receivers. The team recorded only 46 rushing yards on 23 attempts, which reflects a trend of squandered offensive opportunities that have contributed to Clemson’s decline from national prominence over recent seasons.
Georgia showcased their defensive strength while also performing well offensively; quarterback Carson Beck threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, as seven different rushers combined for 163 yards and two touchdowns on an average of 6.3 yards per carry. Clemson’s defeat underscores their considerable distance from competing for a national title, highlighting a gap that has widened significantly since their last encounter with Georgia in 2021, when they lost 10-3.
In contrast, the first week of the 2024 season saw several teams thriving, with Penn State leading the winners list. The No. 9 Nittany Lions put up impressive offensive numbers in a 34-12 victory against West Virginia, with quarterback Drew Allar delivering 216 passing yards and three touchdown throws.
Five-star freshman Dylan Raiola had a standout debut for Nebraska, leading the Cornhuskers to a dominant 40-7 win against Texas-El Paso, while No. 15 Tennessee crushed Chattanooga 69-3, buoyed by impressive performances from their redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Ohio State and Texas also made strong starts, with the Buckeyes defeating Akron 52-6 and the Longhorns dominating Colorado State 52-0. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty made headlines with a remarkable performance, recording 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns in a dramatic 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern.
On the flip side, some teams were left to ponder a harsh reality following disappointing outcomes. Florida’s tough loss against Miami at home, along with Virginia Tech’s narrow overtime defeat to Vanderbilt, highlighted a rough beginning for the ACC. The conference’s struggles were further emphasized by Clemson’s loss to Georgia and North Carolina State’s difficulty in defeating Western Carolina.
Rice faced setbacks as well, losing 34-14 to Sam Houston State, which raises questions about their ability to achieve bowl eligibility this season after recent improvements.