Clemson vs Georgia Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Georgia Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Georgia Bulldogs were 13-1 (8-1) last year and they finished first in the SEC East division. Georgia went undefeated in their first 12 games of the season, but they lost the SEC Championship game by a score of 27-24 against Alabama. That one loss kept them out of the CFP, but they did beat Florida State by a score of 63-3 in the Orange Bowl to complete the 13-win season. The Bulldogs may not have made the CFP, but they were one of the best teams in the country. 

Georgia had one of the best offensive attacks in College Football last season and they return starting quarterback Carson Beck. Beck completed over 72% of his passes last season for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The offensive line should be one of the best in the country, so Beck should have plenty of time to find open receivers. The Bulldogs picked up Travis Etienne (RB) in the transfer portal and even though they lost Brock Bowers, they have plenty of receiving options. 

Why Georgia will beat Clemson

• Georgia has won each of its last 10 season openers.
• Clemson has lost three of its last four games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference at neutral venues.
• Clemson has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Georgia has covered the spread in nine of its last 12 games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Clemson has lost the first half in six of its last seven games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Georgia's last seven season openers as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Five of Clemson's last six games against top-3 AP-ranked teams at neutral venues have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Georgia ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (14.9).
• Georgia ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (1.4).
• Clemson was one of only eight FBS teams to win 4+ games when trailing after Q1 last season.
• Clemson ranked T8th among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.769).

Clemson vs Georgia Prediction 

This should be a great game between two very solid teams, but I am excited to see how Clemson holds up against the number one team in the country. Clemson’s defense has the ability to slow down the Georgia offense, especially with it being this early in the season, but can Clemson’s offense be better than 2023. We saw Clemson lay an egg against Duke in last season’s opener and I am not convinced their offense can keep this game close for the full sixty minutes. I do expect a back and forth game early on, but I think Georgia will pull away in the second half. Take Georgia in this one.