Clemson vs Georgia Betting Predictions: Zman’s Week 1 Analysis

Clemson Tigers (9-4 SU, 6-7 ATS in 2023) vs. Georgia Bulldogs (13-1, 5-8-1), 8/31/24  

When: noon ET Saturday, Aug. 31   

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

TV: ABC

CFB betting odds

Point Spread: Clem +13.5/Geo -13.5 

Money line: Clem +460/Geo -670

Over/under:49

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National championship contenders clash when preseason No. 1 Georgia meets No. 14 Clemson on Saturday afternoon on “neutral” turf in Atlanta.

The Bulldogs are playing with a chip on their shoulder this season after missing out, some say unfairly, on the College Football Playoff last season. The Tigers, meanwhile, are trying to bounce back after suffering through their worst season in over a decade last year.

The Line

The Week 1 betting market opened Georgia at -12.5 over Clemson, with an over/under of right around 48.5. Early betting action then bumped the Bulldogs to -13.5.

Clemson-Georgia Betting Preview

The Tigers return 14 starters this season from a team that finished 9-4 last season. Clemson went off as the favorite to win the ACC last year but started 4-4. The Tigers then played their best ball down the stretch, winning their last five games, including victories over ranked Notre Dame and North Carolina and a bowl win over Kentucky.

So Clemson is now 30-10 SU, 18-22 ATS over the last three seasons.

The Tigers’ internals were actually pretty good last year; they out-gained opponents on average 403-288. They also out-gained three of the four foes they lost to.

Nine starters are back on offense for Clemson, led by QB Klubnick (19/9 TD/INT last year) and four along the offensive line. And while only five starters are back on defense the guys expected to fill those holes come very highly regarded.  

The Tigers are catching +170 at FanDuel to make this season’s expanded CFP, playing against a wins O/U of 9.5. 

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs return 14 starters from a team that finished 13-1 last year. Georgia began last season as the No. 1 team in the land and stayed there throughout a perfect regular season that included four wins, three of them blowouts, over ranked opponents. But the Dawgs lost the SEC championship game to Alabama 27-24 and then got snubbed by the CFP. Georgia then took out its frustration on a severely shorthanded Florida State team in the Orange Bowl.

So the Bulldogs are now 42-2 SU, 23-20-1 ATS over the last three seasons.

Seven starters are back on offense for UGA, led by QB Beck (24/6 TD/INT last year), and four along what might be the best O line in the country. And seven starters are back on a defense that held opponents to 289 YPG last year.

Georgia is the top choice on Bet365’s national championship betting board at a price of +380, playing against a wins O/U of 10.5.

By the Numbers 

Clemson averaged 403 YPG on offense last season, allowed 288 YPG defensively while playing what Phil Steele ranked as the 38th-toughest schedule in the country.

Georgia averaged 497 YPG on offense last year, 191 on the ground, allowed 289 YPG defensively, while playing Phil Steele’s 41st-ranked schedule.

College Football Betting Trends

Clemson is just 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS in its last four season openers.

Georgia is 8-0 SU and 5-3 ATS in season openers under Coach Smart.

Georgia is 6-3 ATS its last nine games favored by less than two touchdowns. 

Clemson-Georgia History

Georgia leads the all-time series with Clemson 43-18-4. Most recently, in the season opener in 2021, the Bulldogs beat the Tigers 10-3 in a game that didn’t involve a single offensive touchdown. 

Totals Report

The totals played 7-7 in Clemson games last season, which averaged 51 total points.

The totals played 7-7 in Georgia games last season, which averaged 56 points.

Free College Football Pick

Georgia is probably the best team in the country heading into this season and should win this game. But this is also a chance for Clemson to announce it’s back in the national championship picture. Both teams return experienced QBs, both teams will field very good defenses, and both teams are coached by two of the best in the business. We see a tough, lower-scoring affair in the making – not 10-3, but perhaps 24-20. We’re taking the Tigers plus the points.