Barrett Carter, RJ Mickens discuss Clemson excitement for season-opener vs. potential No. 1 Georgia

One of the most exciting Week 1 matchups to open up the college football season is when Clemson and Georgia will face off in Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Two powerhouse programs that have taken home two national titles apiece in the last eight college football seasons.

All offseason both programs have been able to keep their focus on one another and the marquee matchup ahead of themselves in their season opener. And at ACC Media Days on Thursday, Clemson players Barrett Carter and RJ Mickens both discussed their upcoming matchup with the Bulldogs.

“To open up our season against a high caliber team like Georgia, it’s very exciting because we prepare every single game like it’s the national championship. But Georgia, they’ve arguably been the best team in college football the past couple of years,” Carter said. “So I’m just excited for the opportunity to compete against them and just looking forward to the matchup.”

Georgia’s recent track record speaks for itself, boasting a 42-2 record in the last three college football seasons with back-to-back national championship wins in 2021 and 2022. Also dominating their non-conference series versus the Tigers with a 43-18 record against Clemson and wins in seven of their last eight matchups.

Both programs are around 80 miles apart, and Carter being a Georgia native only adds to the stakes of him personally trying to turn the tides in the matchup’s history.

“Being from Georgia, I know more than a few guys on the team and it’s been really just friendly smack talk. Nothing crazy going on,” Carter said. “But they’re excited, we’re excited, so just just looking forward to competing against them.”

Mickens may not have as many ties with the state of Georgia, but he too knows that the stakes and importance of this particular Week 1 matchup don’t get much bigger in college football.

“Me personally, I probably have one contact over there. So being from Texas, I don’t really know a whole lot of guys on that roster. But it’s gonna be a great opportunity and every game is important,” Mickens said. “If you lose one, you’re gonna find out every game is important. So that’s just a great opportunity on a big stage.”

Clemson and Georgia will square off at noon ET on August 31 in a primetime college football opener airing on ABC.