Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs NCAAF Week 1 Betting Preview and Prediction August 31, 2024

Posted 1 month ago |  Betting Previews and Predictions, Featured, NCAAF  |  0 comments

Clemson vs Georgia August 31, 2024 @ Atlanta, GA

Opening Betting Odds

Spread: Georgia -13.5. Clemson +13.5
Moneyline: Georgia -650, Clemson +450
Total: 48.5

Preview

This will be the first meeting between these teams since Clemson opened the 2021 season with a 10-3 home loss to Georgia. The last time these teams played in Georgia, the Bulldogs won by a score of 45-21 in Week 1 of the 2014 season.

Clemson finished the 2023 season ranked 20th in the country, while Georgia was knocked out of the #1 spot in the rankings when they lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game.

The bookmakers have Georgia heavily favored to make the playoffs, priced at -600. They aren’t as optimistic about Clemson, pricing them at a +190 underdog to make the College Football Playoffs.

Clemson

• 9-4 Overall in 2023
• 4-4 in the AAC in 2023
• 6-7 ATS in 2023

The Tigers won their final five games last season, but despite high expectations for QB Cade Klubnik under new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley the offense ranked outside the Top 50.

Leading rusher Phil Mafa is back for his senior season after leading the team in rushing last season. Matt Luke was hired last December to come in and fix the offensive line, and he will have plenty of talent to work with.

The Tigers defense was once again ranked Top 10 nationally in 2023, and tied for first in turnovers. They lose four starters to the NFL draft, but highly ranked incoming recruits should plug those holes.

Georgia

• 13-1 Overall in 2023
• 8-0 in the SEC in 2023
• 5-8-1 ATS in 2023

The Bulldogs were the most dominant team in the country until they lost to Alabama in the conference championship game. The get QB Carson Beck back this season, and Florida transfer Trevor Etienne steps in at RB.

The offensive line should be solid with four starters from last season returning. With five consecutive Top 5 recruiting classes, and two #1 classes over the past five years there will be studs stepping up on both sides of the ball.

The defense has plenty of returning talent, but they have to replace three starters in the secondary. With five star recruits waiting in the wings this unit should continue to be one of the best in the SEC.

Relevant Trends

• The Tigers are 15-4 SU in their last 19 games played in week 1.
• The Tigers are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games against the SEC.
• The Under is 6-0 in Georgia’s last 6 games in Week 1.
• The Bulldogs are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games against the ACC.
• The Bulldogs are 19-1 SU in their last 20 games.

PREDICTION: GEORGIA 34 – CLEMSON 17

The Bulldogs have won both meetings over the past decade by a combined score of 55-24. The return of Carson Beck at QB should allow Georgia to pick up right where they left off in 2023. Clemson fans are optimistic about Cade Klubnik, but we’ve seen this movie before. The Tigers were blown out at Duke in their season opener last year, and this should be another tough loss to start the season.

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