Clemson, Georgia meeting will reunite old rivalry

CLEMSON — The state of Georgia is a fertile recruiting ground for Clemson football. On the recruiting trail, the Tigers constantly see the Bulldogs.

Clemson enters the 2021 season with 22 scholarship players from the Peach State. Nearly 70 percent of those players hail from the Atlanta area. This is a recruiting rivalry, but this series between Clemson and Georgia also used to be a serious on-field rivalry.

Saturday’s tilt will give those Clemson players a chance to go head-to-head against the biggest college football brand from their home state. Redshirt senior linebacker Baylon Spector is stoked to reignite this rivalry on the field.

“Very exciting,” Spector told reporters on Monday. “You grow up dreaming about these situations, these games. Have family that played at Georgia, so just like super excited. That’s all I can say.

“It’s a huge rivalry even though we don’t play each other every year, but being so close it definitely means something to both states.”

There is no hiding from the impact of the game. The two powerhouse programs have met 64 times previously, but just four meetings have occurred in the last two decades. From 1967-87, Clemson and Georgia met yearly. Baylon’s dad, Robbie, played for Clemson in the 80s and has informed his son about the passion of the matchup.

“The intensity every year — just playing them,” said Baylon Spector. “Super exciting game. They always looked forward to it.”

However, this matchup could be a little bit different from those in the past. Georgia might have the most talented roster in college football as this program is starving for its first national championship since 1980. USC transfer JT Daniels is giving both head coach Kirby Smart and the fans hope after a strong close to last season. Clemson will be challenged by the former five-star prospect.

“JT’s a legit quarterback,” said Spector. “He’s a Heisman runner. He can move a little bit, he’s accurate, has a cannon. Can throw down the field, can make all the throws, and just smart. I think that having a year under his belt now, experience — being there now from having more experience makes him better.”

Clemson will be challenged, but the Tigers will be ready. Multiple starters on offense are from the Peach State, and Brent Venables could have as many as five Georgia natives — Spector, Joseph Charleston, Andrew Booth Jr., James Skalski, Myles Murphy — starting on defense. This is a big moment for each.

On Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina one of the most underrated rivalries in college football will return. Clemson is revved up for this moment.

“I’m glad it’s back,” said Spector.