Georgia coach Kirby Smart studied the history of the Clemson program and last season’s game film to prepare for the 2024 Kickoff Classic in Atlanta on Saturday.

“It boils down to who blocks the best, tackles the best, avoids catastrophic mistakes,” Smart said.

Once an annual rivalry, Georgia and Clemson last met in 2021. Each program anticipates competing at the highest level in their conference and beyond, which makes the marquee opener even more important for the Bulldogs.

“Should be an awesome environment,” Smart said. “It’s going to be awesome.”

Smart said part of the challenge in the opening game is not knowing exactly what’s coming from the opponent, although he’s not entirely certain where the Bulldogs stand at certain positions, either.

“Any time you go into a season and wonder, ‘What do you have?’ Well, you don’t really know what you have,” Smart said. “At Georgia, we don’t like to say, ‘Let’s start all over.’ There’s these guys in our program … a lot of guys that have had lots of reps that will be ready for the game Saturday.”

Smart confirmed running back Roderick Robinson had toe surgery. There is no timeframe for his return.

“It’s still an issue for him,” Smart said.

One running back option Smart didn’t call out in his Monday press conference is Florida transfer Trevor Etienne, who could face discipline for a spring DUI arrest. Etienne, a junior, was named to the preseason All-SEC first team along with quarterback Carson Beck, senior offensive lineman Tate Ratledge, senior defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse and junior safety Malaki Starks.

–Field Level Media