Two of the best programs over the past eight seasons are set to kick off Week 1 Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium — the same venue that will host the National Championship game — and we have my Clemson vs. Georgia predictions and my expert college football Week 1 picks for this game between the No. 1 and No. 14 teams in the country.
Week 1 College Football Prediction for Clemson vs Georgia
Clemson 1H +7 or Better
My Clemson-Georgia bet is on the Tigers to cover the spread in the first half, with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
With money pouring in on the Tigers this morning, this Clemson vs Georgia spread is all the way down to Georgia -10.5, after being -13.5 for much of the week. That number started to come down Saturday morning, first to -12.5, then to -11.5 and quickly to -10.5.
As I discussed on this morning's Big Bets on Campus live show, though, you can still get Clemson +6.5 in the first half, and I'd still bet that number as my Georgia vs. Clemson prediction.
The total has been bet up slightly before kickoff, rising from 48.5 to 49.5, and one of our Georgia-Clemson expert picks from the Action Network college football betting crew is on the under — so that line movement is in our favor.
Click here to bet the Tigers to cover the first-half spread instantly at FanDuel with QuickSlip — the pick is added directly to your bet slip at FanDuel automatically!
The Tigers and Bulldogs have accounted for four total national titles since 2016, setting the stage for a potential preview of the College Football Playoff at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.
Georgia will look to keep its momentum going after an Orange Bowl blowout of Florida State
Head coach Kirby Smart failed to reach the playoff for the first time since 2020, losing the SEC Championship game 27-24 to Alabama. There's no shortage of motivation for Georgia this season, but key playmakers could sit out here due to suspensions.
On the other side, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney took in all the criticism over the offseason for a lack of transfer portal activity. The Tigers' head coach indicated player development was more important than taking an upperclassman from the portal.
Clemson has recruited at one of the highest levels in the nation, finishing top-11 every season since 2017.
While depth can be added from the transfer portal, Swinney has yet to have a position group that needs instant production.
The portal narrative and Clemson's poor starting performance a year ago have created a delta in the market. The question remains if the Tigers are still national title contenders or just a perennial favorite to win the ACC Championship.
Let's look at the latest odds and get to my pick for Clemson-Georgia.
Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs Odds
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -104 | 49.5 -104o / -118u | +375 |
| Georgia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -118 | 49.5 -104o / -118u | -500 |
- Clemson vs Georgia Point Spread: Clemson +10.5 | Georgia -10.5
- Clemson vs Georgia Total: Over/Under 49.5
- Clemson vs Georgia Moneyline: Clemson +375 | Georgia -500
As mentioned above, this line was Georgia -13.5 but has been bet down to Clemson -10.5 an hour before kickoff.
Clemson vs. Georgia College Football Preview
From DeShaun Watson to Trevor Lawrence, the Tigers faithful are patiently waiting for the emergence of quarterback Cade Klubnik.
The junior may have figured out coordinator Garrett Riley’s system in the second half of 2023, committing just four of his 17 total turnover-worthy plays in the last five games of the season.
The overall season numbers show Clemson's skill positions powering the scoreboard, as Klubnik completed just 12 big-time throws against 19 touchdown passes.
Starting in Week 9 against NC State, the Westlake High School alum began catching fire against Notre Dame, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Klubnik also completed a number of explosives in the spring game, potentially forecasting his season.
Expectations for Cade Klubnik this season?
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) April 9, 2024
After multiple years of being buried on the depth chart, the Phil Mafah era has taken off for Clemson's rushing attack. The senior had 167 attempts last season with an average of 3.8 yards after contact while creating 40 missed tackles.
The showcase game for Mafah came against a top-20 rush defense in Notre Dame, as the running back collected 188 yards on the ground, including 116 yards after first contact.
Riley called rush on 52% of snaps, utilizing heavy inside and outside zone read concepts.
Clemson returned 70% of snaps to the offensive line, encompassing four starters with more than 100 career starts. More importantly, former Georgia offensive line coach Matt Luke is now on the Clemson staff and highly revered by Smart.
The biggest issue in the passing game over recent years was the receivers' ability to create separation from defenders.
Slot Antonio Williams returns after a shortened 2023 season, posting 67 career receptions with an average of 1.8 yards per route run. Tight end Jake Briningstool garnered the second-most targets last season, posting a team-high five touchdown receptions.
But the buzz in fall camp has been true freshman Bryant Wesco, ranked as the 11th-best wide receiver in the latest recruiting cycle. Per Swinney, Wesco is the “real deal” and has maturity well beyond his age.
On the other side, Georgia's defense is top-10 at every level.
If there's a place to attack the Bulldogs' 3-3-5 scheme, it'ss the defensive line, as injuries will take a toll on depth. Defensive tackles Xzavier McLeod and Jordan Hall will not be available, leaving Warren Brinson to deal with a Clemson offensive line that could be the best in the nation.
Mykel Williams's position change from edge to outside linebacker will leave questions at defensive end, as Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins posted the poorest tackling grade on the entire roster in 106 snaps last year.
The depth chart indicates freshman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye will also start at edge, ranking as the second-best defensive lineman on signing day earlier this season. Inside linebacker Smael Mondon is listed as the starter but could have disciplinary issues that result in a suspension for the Clemson game.
Three starters are also gone from the Bulldogs' secondary, so freshman KJ Bolden will see his first action at the college level.
While no team recruits better than Georgia, there are plenty of inexperienced pockets for Clemson to attack.
Smart has reiterated multiple times in media press conferences leading up to kickoff that “We don’t discuss suspensions.”
The scrum of questions surrounds a number of players on both sides of the ball, but Florida transfer tailback Trevor Etienne has been the target of the discussion.
A DUI and reckless driving charge from March is expected to limit the junior's availability against Clemson. The Bulldogs are loaded with talent at every position, but a toe injury and subsequent surgery for running back Roderick Robinson will make the Dawgs lean on depth.
Coordinator Mike Bobo may veer from an even distribution of run and pass to more of an air attack with the return of Heisman-hopeful quarterback Carson Beck.
The junior turned heads in 2023, posting 22 touchdowns to six interceptions, more than doubling his big-time throw to turnover-worthy play rate. In 75 dropbacks with pressure, Beck didn't throw an interception and maintained a low 2.4% turnover-worthy play rate.
Although Georgia's offense will lose tight end Brock Bowers, Beck destroyed Cover 3 and Cover 1 with multiple targets. Slot Dominic Lovett returns to Beck’s arsenal after leading the team with 64 targets and recording more than two yards per route run.
Colbie Young flashed as the most explosive wide receiver in the nation through the first half of the season for Miami, Now, he's fully healthy and expected to start for Georgia at wideout.
Former Stanford tight end Benjamin Yurosekwill be tasked with replacing Bowers after lining up all over the field for Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor.
Clemson is expected to field a top-five unit at linebacker and in the defensive backfield.
Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin's 4-2-5 scheme implemented one of the heaviest usages of man coverage despite fielding true freshmen in the secondary.
Cornerback Avieon Terrell allowed just half of opposing targets to be caught, while strongside linebacker Khalil Barnes was graded as the best coverage defender in 264 opponent passing attempts. No opposing offense wanted to target cornerback Jeadyn Lukus, who generated a large 30% forced incompletion rate on 30 opponent attempts.
Georgia vs Clemson: Streaming, Start Time, Channel
| Date: | Saturday, Aug. 31 |
| Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV Channel/ Streaming: | ABC |
| Location: | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
Georgia and Clemson kick off at 12 p.m. ET on ABC, live from Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
Clemson vs Georgia Prediction: How to Bet Week 1
Expected suspensions and injuries have created gaps in Georgia's depth chart.
The Bulldogs offense is expected to attempt early rushing attempts with a depth chart that includes walk-on Cash Jones from Texas. Assuming Clemson's defensive front has success, Georgia will take to the skies against the Tigers' heavy man coverage package.
Beck may be unfamiliar with Clemson's coverage after facing zone in 72% of passing attempts compared to just 15% in man last season.
Georgia's targets must flash explosiveness from the start with Lovett in the slot, Yurosek in the Bowers role and Young at wideout. The battle against a tested and proven Clemson secondary will ultimately determine who covers the game.
Mafah will receive the bulk of the carries for Clemson, looking to take advantage of a Georgia defensive line that's high on talent but low on experience and health.
The Tigers' offensive line ranks as one of the best nationally, but the addition of Luke after previously serving on Georgia's staff as offensive line coach is a bonus for Clemson.
The biggest question is the ability of Clemson targets to create separation — an expectation for a healthy Williams and Wesco.
With suspensions looming for Georgia, the question remains who and how long. Etienne and linebacker Smael Mondon are two names projected to miss playing time.
With Clemson's advantages in the rushing attack from a player and coach perspective, Klubnik may not have a heavy load in passing down situations.
Conversely, Beck didn't see man coverage on a consistent basis last season.
Look for Clemson to show up early in this game, while Georgia attempts to run with a depleted depth chart before turning to the pass.
Pick: Clemson 1H +7 or Better
Clemson vs Georgia Betting Trends
- 72% of bets and 74% of the money are on Georgia to cover, although the Bulldogs were taking on 83% of the money as of early Saturday morning, representing how much money has come in on Clemson before kick.
- In terms of the total, the over has landed 75% of the bets and 79% of the money.
