CLEMSON, S.C. — When it comes to season opener, it has been just a handful of times when two teams ranked in the top five have kicked off their respective seasons by facing off against each other.
But that’s what will take place Saturday night in Charlotte as Clemson, ranked second in the Coaches Poll and third in the AP poll, will face a Georgia team ranked fifth in both polls.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is all for playing Georgia more often as the two schools have had some memorable games over the years and the two schools are roughly 70 miles in proximity from each other.
Two familiar faces will be on the Georgia sideline at Bank of America Stadium. Former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick, a South Pointe product, transferred to Georgia in the offseason after his departure from the Clemson program. Also, Will Muschamp, the former South Carolina head coach, joined Georgia in the off-season but has since been elevated to a full-time assistant role as he works primarily with special teams.