The Georgia football team will get an early start in its opening game of the season, as the Bulldogs start the 2024 season against the Clemson Tigers on Aug. 31.

ESPN announced a game time and television network for the game. The game will start at 12 p.m. ET and air on ABC.

The game will be played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Georgia opened the 2022 season in the stadium, with Georgia crushing Oregon 49-3.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing though in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as Georgia’s lone loss of the 2023 season came in the building. The Bulldogs lost 27-24 to Alabama.

Georgia and Clemson last played to open the 2021 season, with Georgia winning that game 10-3.

Head coach Kirby Smart is eagerly looking forward to getting back onto the field.

“We’re looking forward at what this team is gonna do. How is this team going to play? Got a really tough schedule,” Smart said in an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show. “I’m excited to get an opportunity to go out there and play. I’m so tired of the talk about the NIL and the talk about the portal and all the complaining. Let’s go play football. Let’s get our team against their team and see where we stand. Let’s go play.”

Georgia is coming off a 13-1 record in 2023. The Bulldogs walloped ACC champion Florida State in the Orange Bowl, winning 63-3.

Clemson meanwhile has slipped in recent seasons. The Tigers went 9-4 last season and have not made the College Football Playoff since 2020. Clemson does bring back quarterback Cade Klubnik, while Dabo Swinney still leads the Clemson program. Interestingly enough, Clemson did not take a player out of the transfer portal this offseason.

Georgia comparatively has brought in eight. The Bulldogs also return quarterback Carson Beck. He’s one of the many returning contributors who is motivated by how things played out the last time Georgia was in Atlanta.

“I think it’s different every year. You have a different team. I’m trying to figure out exactly what this team needs,” Smart said. “This team has been a little bit hungrier in spring ball because they didn’t win it. They weren’t in the playoffs. So there is a little bit of more motivation.”

Georgia-Clemson game time, TV network Week 1

Game time: 12 p.m. ET

TV Network: ABC

Date: Aug. 31

Location: Atlanta