Georgia vs. Clemson score, takeaways: No. 1 Bulldogs cruise, hand No. 14 Tigers largest defeat in 10 years

Clemson DL a lone bright spot 

Until late in the game, at least, when Georgia's offensive line finally started to impose its will and the Bulldogs' superior depth was able to flex. The Tigers should be alright defensively this year thanks to how they recruit and develop alongside the line of scrimmage. 

Holding Georgia to less than three yards per carry in the first half was impressive, no matter who the Bulldogs were missing. The Tigers also had five tackles for loss, four of which came from defensive linemen. Former top-50 prospect Peter Woods, especially, had a really nice game out on the edge, which he's playing at this season after moving from the interior, where he earned freshman All-America honors in 2023. 

Woods moved around like a jumbo linebacker and finished with a game-high 2.5 tackles for loss and managed Clemson's only sack. He'll be a nice piece to build around as Clemson gets into the meat of its conference slate. 

Nate Frazier's going to be hard to deny 

Georgia's rushing attack entered Saturday's game behind the 8-ball, as expected starter Trevor Etienne was suspended and Roderick Robinson was held out while dealing with injury. For a while, the Bulldogs did struggle to find their footing without their top two options. 

They averaged just 2.8 yards per carry in the first half. Georgia's longest run over the first 30 minutes came from quarterback Carson Beck, who escaped the pocket for a 13-yard scramble. 

UGA's tremendous depth was on full display in the second half, though. True freshman Nate Frazier started to find his footing and finished the game with 11 carries for 81 yards and the touchdown that gave Georgia its 20-3 lead. Forty of those yards came on one electric run where Frazier made several Clemson defenders miss. 

Frazier was the No. 2 running back recruit in the Class of 2024, just behind Oklahoma signee Taylor Taum. 

Offense still not working for Tigers 

It was reasonable to think that Clemson's offense might struggle against Georgia. The Bulldogs are a perpetual wagon on defense and few teams are able to consistently move the ball -- let alone score -- against Glenn Schumann's unit. 

But it would have been nice if the Tigers showed any signs of life. Instead, it looked like the same inconsistent, haplessly outmatched unit that Clemson put on the field in Year 1 under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. 

Quarterback Cade Klubnik apparently didn't make much progress during the offseason. He had a couple of nice throws, including a particularly beautiful 36-yard strike to wide receiver Antonio Williams, but most of his night was mired with indecisiveness and poor decision-making. 

Clemson's offensive line had a respectable start against the Dawgs' vaunted front, but it's clear that the Tigers ran out of gas as the game wore on. That was an area that Swinney actually tried to address through the transfer portal, to no avail. This was the best defense Clemson will see all year, no doubt. But Riley's unit didn't show any signs that it will be improved against comparable Power Four competition. 

An eye-opener for Clemson's roster philosophy

Say whatever you want about Georgia's dominant performance here today, but it certainly looks like Clemson is stuck in the mud as a program. Dabo Swinney's reluctance to utilize the transfer portal has resulted in a lack of game breakers at receiver, and it was on full display for everyone to see Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Meanwhile, Kirby Smart showed Swinney what's possible by simply opening the door to a few transfers. Vanderbilt's London Humphreys caught two huge pages, including a 40-yard touchdown. Miami transfer Colbie Young had a 7-yard score on a fade route. Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett showed off his slippery hips on the edges with several big gains.

Clemson was the only FBS program outside the service academies to not add a transfer in the offseason. We've paid too much attention to Clemson's quarterback "issues" over the last three years and not enough on the lack of a game-breaking receiver. Clemson could get one in the portal but refuses, opting instead to hope a five-star freshman like Bryant Wesco Jr. can immediately provide help. It's one thing to develop talent — and Clemson has certainly done that at most positions, particularly the defensive line — but when it's not translating year over year over year, then it's probably time to tweak the formula and try something new (like the portal).   

Georgia puts it away

4Q: Georgia 34, No. 14 Clemson 3 (6:09)

Cash Jones' 15-yard run over the left side has put this game well out of reach. Georgia has dominated the second half with 441 yards total compared to Clemson's 151 for the game. This drive was set up by an incredible interception by Georgia star Malaki Starks, who skied high to pick off a deep throw by Cade Klubnik, who hasn't been helped much at all by his receivers today. The Tigers' offense looks no better than it did last season, when the receiver failed to break open games against above-average defenses. Georgia is averaging 10.4 yards per play in the second half; Clemson is averaging 3.4.

Georgia pouring it on

4Q: No. 1 Georgia 27, No. 14 Clemson 3 (9:57)

Georgia just can't be slowed down, and when Clemson does find a way, the Bulldogs just hit another big play. Vanderbilt transfer London Humphreys scored on a 40-yard catch on a drag route. He ran 35 yards after the catch and a Clemson defender hit him near the goal line. There seemed to be some confusion from Clemson's defense on the play. Safety Tyler Venables pointed to a linebacker behind the play just as Humphreys slipped past him on the drag route five yards away from the line of scrimmage and turned up field.

Carson Beck is 23 of 33 passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs have out-gained Clemson 363-135 yards.

Clemson hasn't scored a touchdown against Georgia since 2014. Can the Tigers break through somehow?

Georgia starting to pull away

End 3Q: No. 1 Georgia 20, No. 14 Clemson 3 

This game is starting to slip away from Clemson. The Tigers had a prime opportunity to make it competitive after Georgia opened a 13-0 lead, but completely bungled their one red zone drive thus far and settled for a 26-yard field goal. The Bulldogs made them pay and immediately embarked on their second straight 75-yard touchdown drive to balloon their lead to three possessions. 

With how lethargic Clemson's offense has looked all game, that lead may just be insurmountable. Year 2 under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley looks about the same, with a severe lack of playmakers on the outside and an offensive line that's starting to lose some gas against Georgia's ferocious front. 

Georgia answers with air superiority

3Q: No. 1 Georgia 20, No. 14 Clemson 3 (3:15)

Just as Clemson seemed to spark hope, Georgia stepped it out with its best drive of the game. That drive was defined by Carson Beck and Dominic Lovett, with a sprinkle of London Humphreys on perhaps the best throw of the day by Beck. With two defenders closing in, Beck perfectly placed the ball in front of Humphreys, the Vanderbilt transfer, as he streaked toward the left sideline in the middle of the field. For most quarterbacks, it may have led to an interception. Not Beck. The 23-yard gain set up ensuing touchdown, but not before Lovett showed off his slippery hips and juking abilities. The receiver caught a pass near the sideline, stuck his foot int he ground, changed direction and slipped past a Clemson defender for a 13-yard gain to move the chains.

Freshman Nate Frazier capped the drive with a 1-yard run, the first touchdown of his career.

Clemson bungles prime red zone opportunity away 

3Q: No. 1 Georgia 13, No. 14 Clemson 3 

Starting to think field goals might not win this game. Clemson finally broke its own scoring seal with a 26-yard field goal just under nine minutes into the third quarter, but the Tigers definitely left a lot on the table with that drive. 

Quarterback Cade Klubnik had a couple of nice connections with tight end Jake Briningstool to move the ball into the red zone for the first time all game. But the drive stalled there, as the Tigers lost a net two yards once they reached first-and-goal at Georgia's 7-yard line. Now that the Bulldogs' offense is starting to click, the Tigers are going to need to find ways to finish drives and score touchdowns with any opportunities they are given. 

Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams injured

Georgia pass rush Mykel Williams was slow to get up and fell back to the turf to be evaluated by trainers on the field midway through the third quarter. He was favoring a leg but was able to walk off the field on his own, though he did so with a hitch In his step. 

Georgia extends lead

3Q: No. 1 Georgia 13, No. 14 Clemson 0 (12:01)

Carson Beck hit Miami transfer Colbie Young for an easy 9-yard touchdown pass to extend Georgia's lead. Georgia found success attacking the edges and throwing downfield (again) against Clemson's defense. Georgia should have struck with a beautiful 36-yard throw from Becky to Dominic Lovett, but the pass was broken up in tight coverage in the end zone by R.J. Mickens. Mickens got away with grabbing the jersey and the top of Lovett's chest plate for what should have been pass interference. It didn't matter in the end. For the second time on the drive, Georgia ran outside on the next play. Dillon Bell sped around the left edge and down the sideline, slipping past a couple of pursues before he was knocked out of bounds with a 27-yard gain to set up Young's touchdown catch. Georgia's 75 yard drive needed only six plays.

Georgia has scored on its last three possessions.

Rushing yards hard to come by 

Georgia entered Saturday's game without its top two running backs, as former Florida transfer Trevor Etienne Jr. is serving out a suspension and Roderick Robinson II is dealing with an injury. It's showing for the Bulldogs, who averaged 2.8 yards per carry in the first half. Their best run came from quarterback Carson Beck, who escaped the pocket and scrambled for 13 yards early in the first quarter. 

A fully stocked Clemson backfield isn't doing a whole lot better. Phil Mafah, who came on at the end of 2023 as one of Clemson's better running backs, had six carries for 21 yards. The only other back to touch the ball was Jay Haynes, whose lone carry lost a yard. Defensive lines are feasting thus far for both sides of this rivalry. 

Penalties, running game struggles prevent Georgia from taking double-digit lead

Georgia was on its way to scoring again before the end of the half but an offensive pass interference call wiped out a big pass play to Dillon Bell. The only things stopping Georgia in the second quarter: Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods, penalties and the lack of a potent rushing attack. Georgia outgunned Clemson 117-15 yards in the second quarter but managed only 2.9 yards per rush. Carson Beck connected downfield several times. The Bulldogs have found matchup solutions on intermediate and deep routes, testing Clemson's assignments on slants and crosses. Beck is 15 of 19 passing for 126 yards through the first half.

Woods has been a monster for Clemson, effectively forcing Georgia Into two field goals with big stops.

Georgia extends lead; downfield throws opening up

2Q: No. 1 Georgia 6, No. 14 Clemson 0 (4:16)

Peyton Woodring hit a 55-yard field goal, just sneaking it inside the upright to extend Georgia's lead to 6-0 over Clemson. The Bulldogs seem to have found something with slants and crosses on intermediate routes, but the running game (and a screen to running back Branson Robinson) is feeding Clemson's emerging defensive monster along the line. Peter Woods has two magnificent plays in this game so far, and both came in situations to help force field goals. He hit Robinson earlier on the drive for a 5-yard loss on the short pass. Still, Georgia is finding ways to move the ball with the intermediate throws. Something to keep an eye on.

Still nothing doing for Tigers

Maybe Georgia's field goal will be enough to win it. Clemson came close to converting a long third-and-13, but wide receiver Antonio Williams cut his route 1-yard short of the first-down line. Those small mistakes are starting to mount for the Tigers -- especially from the wide receivers. Adam Randall had two illegal formation penalties, one of which wiped off a long third-down conversion in the first quarter. The offense isn't quite clicking, which is a concerning sign in Year 2 under coordinator Garrett Riley.  

Georgia strikes first

2Q: Georgia 3, Clemson 0 (8:49)

Georgia put together a nice drive thanks in most part to Carson Beck's arm and the escapability of his receivers. The drive, however, stalled inside the red zone as Clemson's defense stood tall with a nice sack by Peter Woods, who went inside-out and managed to grab Beck's ankles as he slipped to the ground around the right side of Georgia's offensive line. Peyton Woodring drilled a 30-yard field goal from the middle of the field.

Still, Georgia seems to have found a few small windows in the secondary. Beck mostly delivered on some short routes, but the best throw was his 23-yard strike to Dillon Bell to place Georgia at the 14-yard line. Earlier on the drive he hit Cash Jones for nine yards and connected with Domnic Lovett on a short route that he turned up field for a 15-yard gain. Also, heralded freshman running back Nate Frazier made his debut with a three-yard carry to start the drive.

Beck is a cool 12 of 14 passing for 95 yards. 

Defensive slugfest in Atlanta 

End 1Q: No. 1 Georgia 0, No. 14 Clemson 0 

Looks like points are going to come at a premium in this one. Neither the Tigers nor the Bulldogs have been able to sustain an offensive drive, though there has been the rare chunk play. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck showed nice mobility on a 13-yard scramble, and his Clemson counterpart Cade Klubnik generated the longest play of the day by connecting with Antonio Williams on a 36-yard dime. 

Still, neither team is averaging more than five yards per play. Clemson had a nice drive going near the end of the first quarter, thanks to that throw by Klubnik, but a penalty wiped off a long third down conversion and the Tigers had to punt. Two steps forward, one step back. 

A 2021 repeat on tap?

Both offenses are having a hard time against these elite defensive fronts. Georgia's second possession ended with a punt. Carson Beck was blown up by a Clemson defender after firing a pass for a 2-yard gain on third-and-4. The Bulldogs punted again, placing the Tigers at the 15-yard line after a fair catch. The start of this game is bringing back memories of the defensive battle of 2021 in Charlotte, when Georgia used a Pick 6 to win 10-3. Georgia and Clemson have combined for 57 yards through four combined possessions today. Georgia is going to have to crack that Clemson defensive line to open things up offensively, and that's been a struggle early.

Clemson defense holding its own 

The Tigers are flying around on defense thus far. They've done a good job of limiting Georgia's playmakers on the perimeter and have not allowed any significant gains in the run game. Georgia's longest rush thus far came when quarterback Carson Beck escaped the pocket and scampered for 13 yards. Otherwise, the Bulldogs' shorthanded running back room is averaging 0.3 yards per carry. Georgia's also been trying to work the ball to the perimeter, to little effect. 

Georgia and Clemson trade punts to open the game

Georgia didn't get much going on the ground outside of a 13-yard scramble by Carson Beck on third-and-10 to keep the Bulldogs' first drive alive. Georgia advanced to Clemson's 41-yard line but stalled. The drive opened promising enough with Arian Smith catching a jet pass for an 11-yard gain, but everything else was difficult against Clemson's defensive front. Clemson has to be pleased so far with the defensive line getting into the gaps and slowing a Georgia offense without its top two running backs. Branson Robinson, who is playing in place of starter Trevor Etienne, has two carries for no yards. Clemson takes over at its own 5-yard line after a beautiful 36-yard punt by Brett Thorson was downed by the Bulldogs.

Slow start for Tigers 

Clemson ran four plays on its opening drive and gained a whole lot of nothing. The Tigers tried to work the underneath game to get Cade Klubnik in rhythm but Georgia was all over it, smothering routes and allowing Clemson to gain just two yards. It was a quick three-and-out as the ball flips to the Bulldogs.

Clemson gets us started

The Tigers' offense will take the field first from the 25-yard line after the opening kick went for a touchback. It will be interesting to watch how Clemson looks in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, especially against one of the nation's best defenses. Key is the development of former five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has flashed tremendous potential but struggled with consistency during his relatively young career.

Clemson vs. Georgia prediction 

Clemson needs to find a way to stretch the field and be more explosive than it has in recent years. That's up to quarterback Cade Klubnik to produce — and limit turnovers — but the other issue is in the red zone, where the Tigers ranked 118th in inversions last season. Georgia has more firepower offensively and defensively, but with uncertainty at running back for Georgia, there is an opening here for Clemson's new-look defensive line to get pressure on Carson Beck and also slow the Bulldogs' rushing attack. Pick: Clemson +13.5

Trevor Etienne is warming up in pregame

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne is dressed out catching passes from the quarterback here less than 30 minutes before kickoff. He is expected to sit the game on a suspension, per multiple reports -- first by 247Sports/CBS Sports Matt Zenitz. Looks like Georgia coach Kirby Smart is just playing mind games with Clemson's coaches?

Major College Football Playoff implications 

Thanks to the new 12-team CFP format, a loss Saturday won't sink either team's season. Georgia could win the SEC and Clemson could win the ACC -- which got a little bit easier after Florida State's Week 0 loss to Georgia Tech -- and both could still make it in. But that doesn't dim the importance of this game. It's always important to start out on the right foot and an early season neutral site game between two top-15 teams is the perfect setting to make a statement. Plus, games like this could matter for seeding down the line, which is just as important as actually making it in. 

Ranking College Football Playoff contenders by tiers: Georgia, Ohio State among favorites as Clemson rises

Will Backus

Immense pressure on Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

Clemson's offense will not take a step forward unless the Tigers get more consistent play at quarterback with Cade Klubnik. 

Klubnik was a five-star prospect coming out of high school for a reason, and his talents have flashed in across his 23-game body of work. He led a comeback win against Syracuse as a true freshman in 2022 and later that year was named ACC Championship Game MVP. Even in a 2023 campaign that didn't live up to the preseason hype, you could point to drives or plays where everything seemed to be lining up with the five-star expectations. But the lack of consistency ultimately put a cap on the ceiling for Clemson's offense. 

Heading into Saturday's season opener against No. 1 Georgia, Klubnik's confidence is high and the coaches say the experiences of last season have made him better. He and the Tigers offense face one of the ACC's best defenses every single day in practice and early in fall camp the buzz — from the secondary specifically — was how much better Klubnik looked, how the wide receiver room is loaded with playmakers who are dangerous in space and how the offense as a whole was having much more success. 

Does fall camp buzz turn into 2024 reality on Saturday? I explored that idea earlier this week for CBSSports.com.

Clemson reloads on defense 

Clemson replaces four players from the all-ACC team but the safeties should be a strength. The Tigers have long enjoyed elite defensive lines but three starters from last year departed for the NFL. Defensive ends T.J. Parker and Petter Woods are the new stalwarts up front. Parker started three games last season and was a freshman All-American while leading the team with 5.5 sacks. Woods moved from tackle to end in the spring. 

Clemson secondary at full strength 

Clemson is going to have a healthy secondary in Saturday's key season opener against Georgia. Both Jeadyn Lukus and Shelton Lewis, who suffered injuries during Clemson's recent fall camp slate, were included on the Tigers' depth chart and seem to be full-go after participating in warmups. Lukus was listed as a starter, while Lewis is No. 2 behind Avieon Terrell and should be Clemson's first cornerback off the bench after battling Terrell for a spot in the starting lineup.  

Big year in store for Beck 

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck broke onto the national scene in 2023, his first year as a starter, with 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns passing. Now he's back with a deep wide receiver room and an offensive line that should be in contention for the Joe Moore Award. It's not hard to see him outpacing last year's impressive stats and rocketing up NFL Draft boards, given the supporting cast that he has. All he has to do is put together a complete year -- he started a bit slow in 2023 -- and show that he can deliver confidently to every level of the field. Beck also came in at No. 1 in Tom Fornelli's QB Power Rankings, which can be read below. 

College Football QB Power Rankings: Carson Beck enters 2024 season on top with Quinn Ewers on his heels

Tom Fornelli

Line moving in Clemson's favor

Likely in response to the news Trevor Etienne will miss the game, the point spread at many places has moved to 10.5. Georgia is still a touchdown-plus favorite, but worth noting this was Georgia -13.5 earlier in the week.