Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 08/31/2024

by Rod Pearson

Sunday, Aug 25, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, August 31, 2024
Venue:  Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Where to Watch:  ABC


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Clemson +13.5, Georgia -13.5; Over/Under:  49 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Clemson +13.5, Georgia -13.5; Over/Under:  49 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Clemson +13.5, Georgia -13.5; Over/Under:  49.5 points

Season Record

Clemson Tigers:  0-0 (0-0) (ACC)
Georgia Bulldogs:  0-0 (0-0) (SEC)

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Recent Form
Clemson Tigers:  N/A
Georgia Bulldogs:  N/A


Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs Preview and Analysis


Clemson finished last season with a 9-4 record overall and they had a 4-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 6-1 in their home games, 2-3 in their road games, and they were also 1-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 29.8 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 21.1 points per game. Their offense also averaged 402.7 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 287.8 yards per game. Cade Klubnik led the team in passing yards with 2844, Phil Mafah led the team in rushing yards with 965, and Tyler Brown led the team in receiving yards with 531.
 
 
 
Georgia finished last season with a 13-1 record overall and they had an 8-0 record in their conference games too.  They were 7-0 in their home games, 4-0 in their road games, and they were also 2-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 40.1 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 15.6 points per game. Their offense also averaged 496.5 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 289.1 yards per game. Carson Beck led the team in passing yards with 3941, Daijun Edwards led the team in rushing yards with 842, and Brock Bowers led the team in receiving yards with 714.


Clemson vs Georgia Prediction

The current betting odds have Georgia listed as a 13.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Georgia had a great season last year, finishing 13-1 overall and going perfect in their conference games, but they fell short in the SEC Championship and it held them out of the college football playoff. That ended their 2 year streak of winning the National Championship, but Kirby Smart is one of the best coaches in the entire country and he has proved time and time again that he can reload this roster. Georgia will have their eyes set on the National Championship once again, especially after the way things ended last season. They have a chance to make a statement right away in this game with a win against another ranked opponent. Clemson finished last season with a 9-4 record overall and they will be looking to get back to the top of the ACC this year. They have been a program in decline over the last few years as Swinney has failed to adapt to this new era of utilizing the transfer portal. Klubnik is back for another season with the team, but he didn't have the great season he was expected to have last year and hasn't really been able to improve this Clemson offense with his continuous mistakes at the helm. Georgia may have lost some talent but they are also returning their starting QB Carson Beck and they are going to have another solid running game as they usually do. Georgia has more talent on their team along with a head coach that is a proven winner over the more recent years, they will come out with full force in this game to set the tone for the season. The best way to place a bet here is on Georgia to cover the spread in this game.

Clemson Georgia Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, August 31, 2024 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Georgia 38 Clemson 17.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Clemson Tigers Georgia Bulldogs prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.

NCAAF Betting Trends


Clemson Tigers: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games. 4-1 ATS in the first half of their last 5 games. 5-0 (+5.50 units) on the moneyline in their last 5 games. 

Georgia Bulldogs: 6-5 (-11.25 units) on the first quarter moneyline in their last 11 games. 7-4 to the over in their last 11 games. 7-2 to the first half over in their last 9 games. 

Key Injuries


Clemson Tigers:  T. Stellato (WR) - Undisclosed. C. Turner (WR) - Abdomen. J. Green (RB) - Leg.

Georgia Bulldogs:  R. Robinson (RB) - Toe. S. Mondon (LB) - Suspension. B. Hughley (OL) - Suspension. C. Young (WR) - Hamstring. J. Hall (DL) - Leg. T. Etienne (RB) - Suspension.

Notable Quotes


“The No. 1 thing is he’s got to reduce his negative plays. Just that simple. I mean, just took too many negative plays last year that were on him. And again, a first-year starter, and sometimes I think he tried to do a little too much. And these are things that he’d go back and you study and you watch.” - Dabo Swinney on Cade Klubnik coming into this new college football season.


“I feel like we have less depth than we’ve ever had, and that’s kind of a common theme talking to other coaches. I call it the deterioration of football.” - Kirby Smart on the transfer portal era of college football.


Starting Lineups


Clemson Tigers
WR Randall, Adam 
WR Williams, Antonio 
WR Brown, Tyler
TE Briningstool, Jake
QB Klubnik, Cade 
RB Mafah, Phil 

Georgia Bulldogs
WR Bell, Dillon 
WR Smith, Arian 
WR Lovett, Dominic 
TE Delp, Oscar
QB Beck, Carson 
RB Etienne, Trevor

Statistical Leaders


Clemson Tigers
Passing: N/A
Rushing: N/A
Receiving: N/A
Touchdowns: N/A

Georgia Bulldogs
Passing: N/A
Rushing: N/A
Receiving: N/A
Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:
Clemson Tigers: Dabo Swinney (17th season)
Georgia Bulldogs: Kirby Smart (9th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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