Georgia vs Clemson Odds, Preview and Prediction (Saturday, August 31)

• Georgia vs Clemson highlights the college football schedule on Saturday
• Our UGA vs Clemson preview and prediction is siding with the favorite
• Read below for Georgia vs Clemson Week 1 odds, preview, and prediction

The college football world will be fixated on Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, as the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs square off against the No. 14 Clemson Tigers. Kickoff is at 12 pm ET on August 31, with ABC carrying the broadcast.

The UGA vs Clemson odds favor Kirby Smart’s team to kick off the 2024 CFB season with a convincing victory. The over/under is set fairly low for what could become a defensive slugfest.

Here is a look at the Georgia vs Clemson odds for Saturday, along with our UGA vs Clemson prediction.

Georgia vs Clemson Odds

Georgia’s -525 moneyline odds translate to an 85.5% implied probability of victory, while Clemson’s +433 moneyline equates to an 18.8% chance of an upset. The Bulldogs are heavily favored due to their recent dominance, including back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022.

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Odds as of Aug. 28, at ESPN Sportsbook. Browse the top US betting sites for CFB Week 1.

Clemson’s underdog price can be attributed to their recent offensive struggles and conservative approach to the transfer portal and NIL deals.

The over/under of 48.5 points suggests a potential defensive battle, as both teams feature strong defensive units.

Georgia vs Clemson Recent History

Georgia boasts a 43-18 all-time record against Clemson, including a 10-3 victory in their most recent meeting in 2021. The Bulldogs have won five of the last six contests, with Clemson’s sole win coming in a thrilling 38-35 game in 2013.

From an ATS perspective, Georgia has covered the spread in four of the last six meetings, including the 2021 matchup where they were favored by just three points. This historical ATS trend, combined with Georgia’s recent dominance, further justifies their price as heavy favorites in Saturday’s CFB odds.

Bulldogs Betting Analysis

Georgia returns 16 starters from last year’s 13-1 squad, led by Heisman contender Carson Beck. The 6’4″ quarterback from Jacksonville, FL, is poised for a breakout year behind a stout offensive line that returns four starters.

The Bulldogs’ backfield remains deep and talented, even with potential absences due to injuries and off-field issues. Georgia’s committee approach at wide receiver has proven effective, despite the loss of standout tight end Brock Bowers.

Brock Bowers speed 👀😮‍💨

ALIEN pic.twitter.com/rkvkQJ72EE

— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) August 12, 2024

On defense, Georgia looks to improve upon last year’s 26th ranking in EPA per play and 30th in success rate. The return of stars like safety Malaki Starks and linebacker Mykel Williams should bolster an already elite unit.

To secure victory Saturday, UGA will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line must neutralize Clemson’s stout defensive front, while the defense will aim to pressure quarterback Cade Klubnik and disrupt the Tigers’ inexperienced wide receivers.

Tigers Betting Analysis

Clemson enters the 2024 season looking to recapture the success that defined their program from 2015 to 2020. The Tigers’ hopes rest largely on the shoulders of second-year starting quarterback Cade Klubnik.

The Austin, Texas native showed flashes of potential in 2023 but struggled with consistency and turnovers. Not making things easier is the fact the Tigers’ once-vaunted wide receiver group is now filled with talented but unproven freshmen like Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore.

In the backfield, Phil Mafah takes over as the primary rusher following Will Shipley’s departure. The powerful runner from Loganville, Georgia, will carry the load and help balance the offense.

Clemson’s defense remains the team’s backbone, consistently ranking among the nation’s best. The front seven, led by rising stars like Peter Woods and Barrett Carter, will need to pressure Carson Beck and disrupt Georgia’s running game.

However, the Tigers’ conservative approach to the transfer portal and NIL deals has hindered their ability to address key positional needs. As a result, they’ve simply struggled to keep pace with other top programs in terms of talent level.

Georgia vs Clemson Prediction

I’m predicting Georgia to cover the 12-point spread and defeat Clemson by an appropriate score of 35-21. The Bulldogs’ talent advantage will be too much for the Tigers to overcome, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary.

Georgia’s recent dominance in season openers (10 straight wins) and historical success against Clemson further support my prediction. The Bulldogs have not lost a season opener since 2013, coincidentally against Clemson, and have won five of the last six meetings between the two teams.

Expect the Bulldogs to wear down Clemson with their relentless ground game and explosive passing attack, pulling away in the second half. UGA’s depth and ability to rotate players without a significant drop in performance should be a key factor in this matchup.

A strong performance by Carson Beck could vault him past Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel as the favorite in the Heisman odds, and I expect the senior pivot to start the season with a bang on Saturday.

UGA vs Clemson Pick:

• Georgia -12 (-114)