Clemson football isn’t releasing a depth chart for Georgia game. Dabo explains why

The Clemson and Georgia football teams are playing some depth chart keep-away ahead of their highly anticipated meeting in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Saturday.

In their game notes released Monday, the No. 14 Tigers said they will not provide an initial depth chart until gameday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — a pivot from the program’s standard operating procedures and almost certainly a sign of gamesmanship toward No. 1 UGA, which isn’t releasing a depth chart either.

Asked about the change Tuesday, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did not explicitly say his team was withholding its depth chart because of Georgia but admitted that level of secrecy has become a trend for college football teams heading into their openers.

The goal of it: Heading into season openers where so much is unknown, you can keep your opponent slightly more in the dark and gain a bit more of an advantage.

“It seems like a new thing,” Swinney said.

For years, the Tigers have released their initial depth chart for the season in conjunction with the first edition of weekly game notes, which are distributed to media early in the week before each game.

But that changed on Monday afternoon. On the page usually reserved for Clemson’s depth chart within its Week 1 game notes, no lineup is listed.

Instead, a blurb reads: “Clemson’s initial depth chart for the 2024 season will be available at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on game day.”

“Please see Georgia’s game notes for details and insight on team personnel,” the guide noted in the spot usually reserved for the opposing team’s depth chart.

That combination of blank space made for an entertaining contrast and plenty of social media fodder. It was also a step farther than the last time Clemson and Georgia engaged in such dramatics heading into the 2021 season.

Three years ago, Clemson and UGA played each other in the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte. Heading into that preseason AP Top 5 matchup, Clemson wrote in its weekly game notes that Georgia “has elected not to furnish a Week 1 depth chart.”

The Tigers did provide an initial depth chart that week, but it was scarce on details and listed co-starters at a number of positions, including three different starters at both defensive end spots (all separated by an “or”) and four separate starters at both cornerback spots, nickelback and kick returner.

Three years later, Clemson took it even further and said it would not provide a first depth chart until sometime Saturday morning from the stadium.

Does Swinney remember the last time he didn’t release a Week 1 depth chart?

“Have no idea,” he said. “Have no idea.”

Season opener secrets

UGA, under coach Kirby Smart, generally does not provide a depth chart in its weekly game notes until one or two games into the season. Last year, the Bulldogs didn’t offer a depth chart until Week 3, after they beat UT Martin and Ball State.

During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, their depth chart appeared in Week 2, indicating they’ve taken a more coy approach under Smart, a Nick Saban disciple.

Saban, who retired after the 2023 season, did not release a depth chart for the first time in 17 seasons as the Crimson Tide’s coach last August, saying it created “distractions.”

At least one other ACC team is taking Clemson’s cue in withholding an initial depth chart. UNC coach Mack Brown announced earlier this month the Tar Heels wouldn’t provide one since their Week 1 opponent, Minnesota, is not publicizing one.

Asked directly on Tuesday why Clemson is delaying the release of its depth chart, Swinney laughed.

“Just so y’all would ask,” he said. “Just to make y’all have to dig a little deeper.”

Without directly saying the delay was because of UGA, he added that Georgia would have to “buy the subscriptions to all of our Tiger websites and have to get the inside scoop ... on who’s playing where, who’s running out there first. I guess that’s it.”

Clemson vs. Georgia game, TV info

• Who: No. 14 Clemson (0-0) vs. No. 1 Georgia (0-0)

• When: Noon Saturday

• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

• TV: ABC

• Line: Georgia by 13.5 points