The annual college football rivalry between Georgia and Clemson is set to resume for its 66th encounter as the two teams clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, marking the start of the 2024 season. Currently, the Georgia Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll preseason top 25, while the Clemson Tigers sit at No. 14.
The Bulldogs, two-time defending champions, faced a setback last year when they lost to Alabama in the SEC championship game, which ended their 29-game winning streak and dashed hopes for a third consecutive title. Conversely, the Tigers concluded their season with a disappointing 4-4 record in the ACC, their worst since 2010.
Separated by just over 70 miles, the rivalry has an intriguing history, with Georgia leading the all-time series 43-18-4. This matchup in Atlanta will mark the second consecutive neutral-site meeting and the sixth overall. Both teams are expected to be key contenders in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, adding significance to this early-season game.
In terms of historical context, Georgia leads the rivalry with a record of 43 wins, 18 losses, and 4 ties in 65 games against Clemson. The Bulldogs have a better record of 27-7-1 when playing in Athens, while they are 12-10-2 at Clemson. The teams have played five times at neutral sites, with Georgia holding a 4-0-1 record in those matchups. Notably, the largest victory for Georgia was a commanding 55-0 win in 1920, while Clemson’s biggest win was a 36-0 shutout in 1902. The Bulldogs have currently won their last two meetings.
The rivalry originated in 1897 when Georgia triumphed 24-0 in their first encounter. For nearly two decades, the teams faced each other annually until 1916 and then sporadically through the years. From 1897 to 1955, Georgia registered a 20-10-2 record against Clemson, including a span of ten consecutive victories from 1920 to 1955.
The rivalry resumed in 1962, with the teams playing annually until 1987, except in 1972. During this period, Georgia had a slight edge, winning seven straight games between 1964 and 1973. A memorable moment occurred in 1984 when Georgia’s Kevin Butler kicked a 60-yard field goal as time expired, leading to a stunning 26-23 upset victory over Clemson.
Since 1990, the Bulldogs and Tigers have met nine times, with Georgia holding a favorable 7-2 record in those matchups. In a dramatic 2002 encounter, Georgia overcame a 21-7 deficit to win 31-28. The teams last met in Charlotte on September 4, 2021, where Georgia edged out Clemson 10-3, thanks to a decisive second-quarter interception return for a touchdown. Ultimately, Georgia went on to win the national championship that season.