The retirement of Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL have left college football with only three active head coaches who have won national championships.
On Saturday, two of them—Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney—went head-to-head, and the result was a resounding victory for Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, who defeated the Clemson Tigers 34–3 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Smart’s dominance is clear, as his Bulldogs have now won 40 straight regular-season games. The game highlighted the immense talent Georgia possesses, with quarterback Carson Beck connecting with nine different receivers and linebacker Jalon Walker delivering a standout defensive performance.
Despite star transfer running back Trevor Etienne being sidelined due to an offseason DUI, freshman Nate Frazier stepped up, rushing for 83 yards in his college debut.
The game also underscored the growing divide between Smart and Swinney. Swinney, who has stubbornly avoided the transfer portal in favor of traditional recruiting methods, is struggling to keep pace.
Clemson’s offense, under new coordinator Garrett Riley, faltered, producing just 188 yards and three points, the lowest totals under Riley’s guidance. Swinney took responsibility for the loss, acknowledging the need for improvement but expressing confidence in his team’s future.
While Georgia continues to thrive under Smart’s leadership, Clemson faces an uncertain path forward, with Swinney’s approach increasingly at odds with the rapidly changing landscape of college football.
The clash between these two coaching giants not only solidified Georgia’s status at the top but also highlighted the challenges Clemson faces in remaining competitive at the highest level.
