Clemson might have caught a break this week. Georgia running back Rodrick Robinson II had surgery on his toe and will be out for several weeks.
The sophomore RB is the leading returning rusher from last season, gaining 196 yards behind Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton. “Rod’s toe is still an issue for him,” said head coach Kirby Smart. “Probably will be week to week. Not sure how long it will take in terms of the surgery.”
Instead, Branson Robinson will take his place as the presumed starter. Robinson didn't record any stats from last season after an injury sidelined him, but reports suggest he's bounced back well. Florida transfer Trevor Etienne's status for the game isn't clear after he was arrested for a DUI in March. When asked about his situation, Smart said, “I don’t really talk about any of the other stuff in regards to any of our players with suspensions, but I’m excited about all the guys that are gonna get an opportunity to play.”
With Clemson’s defensive front, there’s a chance the Tigers can slow down Georgia’s rushing game. They can force the Bulldogs to be one-dimensional Clemson has a chance to pull off the upset.