With less than a week until Clemson kicks off their 2024 college football season against the Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta, anticipation is high for what many expect to be one of the week’s most exciting matchups. The top-ranked Bulldogs will face the No. 14 Tigers, a clash that promises to be a true test for Clemson after a disappointing season last year.
Clemson faces an immediate challenge, and this game will serve as a crucial benchmark for where the team stands. At the very least, Clemson needs to avoid a blowout loss. A poor showing could not only set a negative tone for the season but might also hurt them in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee. While one loss might not be devastating, a win would certainly be better.
This high-profile game comes with financial rewards for both teams. As reported by Derrian Carter of the Greenville News, Clemson and Georgia will each receive $5 million for participating in the game.
“The Peach Bowl, Clemson, and Georgia finalized this game agreement in August 2018. The organization will pay $5 million to each school by November 15, 2024, for their participation.”
In addition to the payout, each school will receive 70 complementary bench passes, 32 suite tickets, and 200 tickets to the College Football Hall of Fame for August 30.
Clemson could use this $5 million to fund future games or reinvest in their program, including upgrading facilities. For example, last season, Clemson paid a total of $1.6 million to secure games against Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic, and this year, they are set to pay App State $1.25 million and Citadel $475,000.
The significance of this game is reflected in the substantial financial stakes. Fans and analysts alike expect this to be the highlight of Week 1, as it features the highest-ranked matchup of the opening weekend.
Clemson has the chance to prove whether they are legitimate College Football Playoff contenders. With the ACC’s top teams struggling in Week 0, including Florida State’s loss to Georgia Tech and SMU’s narrow win over Nevada, Clemson might feel optimistic about their chances this season.
But first, they must focus on Georgia.
