Clemson vs. Georgia: 3 reasons Dabo Swinney’s Tigers will beat Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs

Here are three reasons why Clemson football should have no problem getting a win over Kirby Smart’s Georgia football team in their season opener.

College football kicks off this week, and no game is more anticipated than the Saturday night brawl between the No. 3Clemson Tigers and No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs from Charlotte, NC.

Although both heavy-hitters have a chance to take the win, the Clemson Tigers possess a few distinct advantages over Georgia.

3 reasons why Clemson will beat Georgia

3. D.J. Uiagalelei has the quarterback advantage over JT Daniels

If it wasn’t enough that the Clemson Tigers have produced two national championship quarterbacks in the past five years, it looks as if they’re slated to do it once again with D.J. Uiagalelei.

During his freshman year as the backup to Trevor Lawrence, Uiagalelei flashed his potential with a 66.7 percent completion rating for 914 yards. In two starts vs. Boston College and Notre Dame last year when Lawrence was out with COVID, Uiagalelei showed off his cannon for an arm and the poise to be a future superstar, beginning in 2021. The time is his.

Uiagalalei and J.T. Daniels are both Heisman contenders who faced off in the prep ranks as California signal-callers years ago but look for Uiagalalei to emerge with the win and pole position for the Heisman.

2. Clemson has a stable of backs ready to take over for Travis Etienne

Travis Etienne cast a long shadow in Clemson running back history as he entered the NFL as the most decorated Tigers running back of all time and one of the best college backs ever.

Unfortunately, that shadow obscured the talent that is Lyn-J Dixon, the official starter for Saturday’s game.

Dixon is ranked second in school history in yards per carry with 6.6, only behind the incomparable Etienne. Dixon enters 2021 with 1,372 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as 183 yards on 18 catches for his career.

Although Etienne leaves a wake in his absence, Dixon and fellow running backs Kobe Pace and five-star freshman Will Shipley are here to fill the void. Look for Shipley to be featured heavily in his first college game.

1. Clemson has one of the best coaches in college football and are healthier

There is no better coach in college football than Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. He has a distinct advantage over Georgia’s Kirby Smart in this battle of wits. Swinney’s teams are no stranger to playing their best in games of this magnitude while Smart’s Dawgs have been susceptible to mental and physical mistakes that cost them a win.

Georgia may have a slight advantage when it comes to talent on the roster but they are also going to be short-handed with Darnell Washington, George Pickens, Dominick Blaylock and Tykee Smith out with injuries. Additionally, Arik Gilbert will not play. That’s a lot of talent that Daniels won’t have to throw to and Uiagalelei and Justyn Ross can pick on the Georgia secondary with Smith out.

When in doubt, when Clemson and Georgia are playing in a big game, go with Swinney to lead Clemson to the win in the end.

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