Kirby Smart breaks down challenge Cade Klubnik presents

As Georgia heads into a matchup with Clemson in the season opener, all eyes are on Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik and whether he can take a step forward this fall.

Clemson’s chances might depend on it.

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But the talented young quarterback has the respect of Georgia and coach Kirby Smart, who explained he’ll be a prominent part of the Bulldogs’ scouting report going into the game.

“Yeah our report is, No. 1, very experienced, has played in a lot of football games,” Smart said on an SEC teleconference call on Wednesday. “And when you have a quarterback that’s played a lot of football games, it’s an advantage. I mean we both have kids that have experience, so the quarterback is such a key part of every game because he has to make a decision every play. Touches the ball every play.”

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Cade Klubnik threw for 2,580 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore, also throwing eight interceptions. He ran for 194 yards and four scores.

The issue was the lack of consistency. Klubnik would sometimes disappear or get a little loose with the football in key moments, something that proved costly from time to time.

Still, Georgia is expecting a healthy challenge from the Clemson starter.

“I think the guy’s done a tremendous job, he’s going to be even better with a year’s worth underneath his belt of this offense,” Smart said of Klubnik.

Kirby Smart lays out deciding factors

Smart wasn’t sure if he’d pin Cade Klubnik to being a deciding factor in the game, noting there are a lot of things that go into winning a football game against a high-level opponent.

He outlined a few of them.

“The deciding factor of the game, that’s hard to predict,” Smart said. “So many things, I mean you would think explosive plays, turnovers and line of scrimmage. Those are the three that I have to feel like are going to be the deciding factor.”

Georgia was pretty good at winning most of those factors a year ago, reaching the SEC Championship Game as a result. The expectations remain high this year, the only question is the execution with a new group of guys.

Cade Klubnik, the Tigers and the Bulldogs will get underway at noon ET on Saturday with a national broadcast on ABC.