In a decisive season opener, the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs defeated the No. 14 Clemson Tigers 34-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After a sluggish first half that ended 6-0, Georgia surged in the second half, with quarterback Carson Beck leading the charge and the defense delivering crucial stops. Clemson struggled offensively, with only one field goal in the second half, leading to significant criticism of head coach Dabo Swinney for the program's stagnation. The win marked Georgia's seventh victory by over 30 points against a ranked opponent since 2021 and extended their regular-season win streak to 40 games. Clemson's performance, their worst margin of defeat since 2013, raises concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level, exacerbated by missed playoff appearances in recent years. The game highlighted the contrasting trajectories of the two programs, with Georgia aiming for a third national title in four seasons while Clemson seeks to regain its former dominance.