No. 5 Georgia and No. 8 Clemson square off in the marquee game of the week. Aaron Murray came five yards shy of leading Georgia to the BCS Championship Game as a junior last season before time ran out against eventual national champion Alabama. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd enjoyed a record-setting junior campaign and joins Murray as a preseason candidate to take home the Heisman Trophy.
Murray, whose 95 touchdown passes are more than any active FBS player, was named the preseason SEC player of the year despite the presence of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, the reigning Heisman winner while Boyd threw for 3,896 yards and 36 touchdowns last season en route to winning ACC player of the year honors. In addition to the top-tier quarterbacks, both teams possess electrifying complementary players such as Georgia running back Todd Gurley and Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
Georgia will begin their season in daunting fashion, facing No. 8 Clemson, No. 7 South Carolina and No. 13 LSU in three of their first four games. The tough schedule will pose an early challenge for their top running backs, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who combined for 2,144 yards and 25 touchdowns as true freshmen last year. Defensively, head coach Mark Richt must find a way to replace seven starters, including first round picks Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogeltree.
Clemson is coming off their best season since winning the 1981 National Championship with a 12-0 record. Only five teams averaged more than Clemson's 41.0 points per game last season, but it won't be easy to replace running back Andre Ellington (1,081 yards, eight touchdowns) and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (1,405 yards, 18 touchdowns). The Tigers also have to find a way to shore up their pass defense, which ranked 71st nationally last season and will face an immediate test against Aaron Murray and Georgia.
Game Information:
When: 8:00 PM ET, August 30
Where: Memorial Stadium
Line: Georgia -2½ at America's Bookie
Total: 71½
Coverage: ABC
Weather: 79° F/ 26° C
Chance of a Thunderstorm
Last meeting: 8/30/03 Georgia 30 Clemson 0
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (0-0) vs. No. 8 Clemson Tigers (0-0) Preview
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