My old friend Mark Schlabach has enjoyed a stellar career. Mark is a golf and college football reporter for ESPN and has authored dozens of books. He is an outstanding writer with astute college football knowledge. Mark is a Georgia graduate, and has worked for The Red & Black, Athens Banner Herald, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Washington Post. He and his wife Heather are the parents of three children: Carolina (23), Jane (21) and Jack (15). As always, we appreciate Mark’s insight.

Give me a couple of predicted surprises in College Football this season, good and bad.

I think it’s going to be a wild season with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and another round of realignment. I think Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas should be the top teams, but it’s wide open for the seven at-large spots in the playoff. Is Miami really a legitimate contender after two decades of mediocrity? Can Penn State figure out how to throw the ball down the field and beat somebody that matters? I think Oklahoma State, Kansas State or Utah could win what’s left of the Big 12. I like where Virginia Tech was headed at the end of the 2023 season; the Hokies might be a CFP sleeper. Iowa might be as well–if the Hawkeyes figure out how to score more than 10 points per game.

‌What is your take on Clemson this season?

I’m having a difficult time picking an ACC champion for the following reason: Do you really trust new Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei or Miami coach Mario Cristobal? For those reasons, Clemson might be able to sneak in there and grab another ACC title. I think quarterback Cade Klubnik is going to be better in his second season in Garrett Riley’s offense. The offensive line should be solid, and tailback Phil Mafah is a workhorse. They’re going to rely heavily on two freshmen, T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr., to improve a mediocre receiver corps. The defense should be elite again, especially up front, but there are some questions in the secondary. I don’t think Clemson will beat Georgia in Atlanta, but the rest of its schedule is manageable.

‌What do you see as Georgia’s biggest question marks this year?

I think Georgia is once again loaded at every position. The defensive line is deep and big, but the Bulldogs don’t seem to have a dominant interior player like Jalen Carter or Jordan Davis. There are plenty of experienced run stuffers like Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. I’ve heard encouraging things about Christen Miller’s development; he could be a difference maker if it’s true. Mykel Williams is a projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but he has to become a more consistent pass rusher. Jalon Walker and Damon Wilson II will also have to affect the quarterback. Keep an eye on freshman edge rusher Quintavius Johnson. I’ve heard great things about him from preseason camp. Georgia’s defense isn’t built to pile up sacks–it’s about getting off the field–but I know defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann would like to see more production in that area.

‌What do the Dogs need to do to beat Clemson?

Like I just said, get the Tigers off the field on defense. I think Clemson’s defense is going to be a challenge for Georgia’s offense, but it’s not going to completely shut down quarterback Carson Beck and those receivers. Georgia’s coaches feel like they have five or six offensive linemen who are going to play in the NFL, but Clemson’s defensive front is going to be perhaps the best one they face all season. Georgia has to protect Beck and get the running game going.

‌What will the final regular season records be for the Bulldogs and Tigers?

I’ve got Georgia going 11-1 with a loss at either Alabama or Texas. I’m just not sure the Bulldogs can get through that road schedule unscathed. Clemson will go 10-2 with losses to Georgia and at Florida State on Oct. 5.

How many SEC teams make the CFP?

In my preseason CFP predictions for ESPN, I had four SEC teams in my bracket: No. 2 Georgia, No. 6 Texas, No. 8 Alabama and No. 11 Ole Miss. I probably should have had the Rebels higher. I had two SEC teams (Georgia and Texas) and two Big Ten teams (No. 1 Ohio State and No. 5 Oregon) in the semifinals. I have Georgia taking down Ohio State in the championship game in Atlanta.

‌What is your score prediction?

Georgia 28, Clemson 13