Barrett Carter on facing rival Georgia in season-opener: 'We expect to win that game'

CHARLOTTE — Clemson faces arguably the top team in the country in Georgia to open the 2024 season. Despite the Bulldogs winning two of the past three national titles, Clemson players are confident going into the matchup.

Tigers linebacker Barrett Carter said at the ACC Kickoff Event on Thursday that he likes Clemson’s chances against the Bulldogs.

“It’s a big opportunity,” Barrett Carter said. “We know what Georgia’s done the past couple of years. You know, we’re going into that game expecting to win. That’s how we go into every single game.

“So I’m excited just to compete against them and see how we match up. It should be a really fun game. But we’re going into that game, we’re preparing for that game, to win. We expect to win that game. But just super excited to compete against them.”

Clemson and Georgia are long-time rivals who last played in 2021 as the Bulldogs earned a 10-3 victory in Charlotte.

Georgia went on to win the national title that year and won it again in 2022. Carter, who is from Suwanee, Georgia, was a true freshman in 2021 and played only sparingly. He is now one of the top players on the Clemson defense and is anxious to play his home-state school.

“Yea, I do know a lot of them, and it’s definitely really cool that I’m from Georgia. Just going into my decision to come back and looking at who we open up against, it being Georgia, it’s special,” Carter said. “But I’m excited to compete against them and see how we match up.”

Carter considered entering the NFL Draft following last season but chose to return for his senior year. He is hoping for a special final season in Tiger Town, and opening with a win over the Bulldogs would certainly be a good start.

Carter has already gotten a head start on film study ahead of the Aug. 31 matchup.

“I’ve gotten a really good grasp on Georgia so far,” he said. “I still have a lot more to watch on them and a lot more tendencies to pick up on, but I definitely have a pretty good grasp on them so far.”

Clemson is coming off of a 9-4 season in 2023. The Tigers got off to a 4-4 start but closed strong, winning their final five games. Dabo Swinney’s club is hoping to carry that momentum over into the 2024 season.