Georgia fifth-year senior receiver Michael Bennett believes there is little room for error with an opening
opponent such as Clemson.
Georgia coach Mark Richt watches his players during NCAA college football practice on Aug. 1, 2014, in Athens, Ga.ATHENS, Ga. – Batting .333 over the course of a season can result in accolades for a professional baseball player.
Having that average in recent college football openers is not as desirable.
Georgia began its 2011 season with a 35-21 loss to No. 5 Boise State in Atlanta and started last season with a 38-35 loss at No. 8 Clemson. In between was a 45-23 win over Buffalo in Sanford Stadium, but this season presents another challenge when No. 16 Clemson visits Aug. 30.
“There is a greater sense of urgency when you have an opener like this,” Bulldogs fifth-year senior receiver Michael Bennett said. “There is no room for screwing up at all.”
Georgia and LSU are the only Southeastern Conference teams that will have opened against three ranked teams in this four-year stretch, with the Tigers having faced No. 3 Oregon in 2011, No. 13 TCU last season and No. 14 Wisconsin at the end of this month.