Aug 30, 2014 05:00 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Both the Clemson Tigers (16) and Georgia Bulldogs (12) are in similar situations to kick off the season, but only one can make a strong impression heading into week two.

The Tigers and Bulldogs each lost their senior quarterbacks to the NFL and they are both proud teams in the middle of the Associated Press' preseason poll. Either team would benefit greatly from winning this game, especially in the College Football Playoff's inaugural season.

CLICK HERE to watch the game live on WatchESPN and HERE to listen to a live radio broadcast. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET in Athens, Ga.

Neither team has an easy road, as Georgia will go on to play South Carolina on the road next week before eventually meeting Missouri and Auburn. Clemson has to see the reigning national champs in two weeks when they go to Tallahassee to play Florida State.

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney told reporters ahead Saturday's matchup that he does not want his team getting ahead of itself, according to the AP.

"God forbid we go down there and lose the game," he said. "But if we do, Georgia's not in the playoffs and we're not out of it. It's a long season, it's a long way to go. And vice versa, if we win the game, let's not punch our ticket to Dallas just yet. We've got a long way to go in a long season. Every game is critical."

The new four-team playoff is looming over every coach's head, especially those ranked in the top 25. Georgia head coach Mark Richt acknowledged that the playoff committee does not need to take the AP's top four teams, meaning a fifth- or sixth-place ranking might be enough to make it in.

"I can't imagine the AP poll and the coaches poll won't have some effect on the panel," Richt told reporters. "I'm sure that will have some kind of weight, even though it's not part of the formula. Humans look at those things."

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