Despite being the middle of May, the college football world has been filled with excitement.
Some people are overwhelmed with joy and anticipation over the long-awaited return of EA Sports’ college football video game. While others are busy looking at their teams’ depth charts and trying to figure out how their squad can reach the new 12-team playoff.
Adding fuel to the excitement was the recent schedule announcements made by networks such as FOX, NBC and ESPN/ABC.
One of the most anticipated early-season matchups that we just received details on is the Georgia-Clemson Week 1 showdown which will take place in Atlanta on Saturday, August 31st.
The battle is just one of several sexy matchups that will take center stage during Week 1.
ESPN’s College GameDay will be live in College Station that morning ahead of the prime-time battle between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Most people have circled Georga-Clemson as the matchup they’re most excited for – and with good reason.
Sure, the Tigers may have fallen a peg or two from their perch on top of the college football world, but Dabo Swinney is anxious to remind everyone that they’re still an elite program.
Georgia on the other hand will be entering the season as arguably the best team in the nation. (Although Ohio State may have something to say about that.)
Just barely missing out an opportunity to three-peat as national champions last season, you know Kirby Smart and his Dawgs are foaming at the mouth to go on another title run.
With such a marquee matchup on the slate, ABC/ESPN has infuriated fans by scheduling the epic showdown for NOON EST.
While noon starts are common place in college football, even for enormous games, an early-season matchup as meaningful as Georgia-Clemson is often reserved for prime-time – or at least the 3:30pm window.
But the powers that be decided to schedule it for an early kick…
Despite the early start time, there is a silver lining for attendees, as Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers the comfort of a roof, sparing fans from the sweltering summer heat that will surely be wreaking havoc on Atlanta that day.
Following the blue bloods clash will be a good old-fashioned in-state rivalry as the Florida Gators will play host to the Miami Hurricanes.
That rivalry battle will take place at 3:30pm, which has confused many fans since you would think the two matchups would have been flipped-flopped as far as game-times go.
It’s hard to argue with the decision to put Notre Dame and Texas A&M in the spotlight 7:30pm window.
No, neither team may be quite at the level of Georgia – although the Irish are certainly dark-horse title contenders with quarterback Riley Leonard taking over under center.
The fact of the matter is Notre Dame remains a massive brand while the Aggies are entering a new era under Mike Elko. In other words, it’s an intriguing matchup very much worthy of the prime-time slot.
But that still doesn’t explain the head-scratching decision to put Georgia-Clemson at NOON!
Having said that, a decent amount of college football fans don’t mind the early kick. Some actually prefer it.
Although, for a unique matchup this significant, it still comes as a surprise.
No matter how you feel about the early kick, the fact of the matter is all eyes will be on Mercedes-Benz Stadium that day.
Georgia will look to avenge last year’s nightmare finish (high standards, huh?) while being led by Heisman Trophy favorite Carson Beck at quarterback.
Meanwhile, Clemson will rely heavily on Cade Klubnik to finally start realizing his potential as they look to reclaim their spot among the nation’s elite.
What are your thoughts on Georgia-Clemson getting a noon kickoff?
Do you think it’s ridiculous that such a big-time matchup wouldn’t get a more marquee times slot?
Or are you in the camp of people that simply do not care? (Noon, 3:30, 7:30, 6am, what’s the difference?)
Is this matchup indeed the one you’re most excited for in regard to the Week 1 slate?
Is 2024 the year that Swinney gets the Tigers back to the top tier of college football? … Or has the game passed him by?
As far as Georgia, are you under the belief that they’re the best team in the country? … Will they win the national title yet again???