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

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws a pass during the G-Day spring football game in Athens, Ga., Saturday, April 13, 2024.

• Georgia vs. Clemson is the highlight of Saturday's college football schedule
• Our preview and prediction for UGA vs. Clemson is on the side of the favorite
• Read the odds, preview and prediction for Georgia vs. Clemson in Week 1 below

The college football world will be staring at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday as the No. 1 seed Georgia Bulldogs take on the No. 14 seed Clemson Tigers, kicking off at noon ET on August 31 on ABC.

The odds for UGA vs. Clemson suggest that Kirby Smart's team will start the 2024 CFB season with a convincing win. The over/under is set pretty low for what could be a defensive slugfest.

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

Georgia vs. Clemson odds

Georgia's moneyline odds of -588 equate to an 85.5% implied probability of victory, while Clemson's moneyline odds of +433 equate to an 18.8% chance of an upset. The Bulldogs are considered clear favorites due to their recent dominance, including back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022.

Odds as of August 28 at ESPN Sportsbook. Browse the best US betting sites for CFB Week 1.

Clemson's underdog price can be attributed to the team's recent struggles on offense and its conservative approach to the transfer portal and NIL deals.

The over/under of 48.5 points indicates a possible defensive battle, as both teams have strong defensive units.

Recent History of Georgia vs. Clemson

Georgia has an overall record of 43-18 against Clemson, including a 10-3 victory in their last meeting in 2021. The Bulldogs have won five of the last six meetings, with Clemson's lone victory 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 game where they were favored by just three points. This historic ATS trend, combined with Georgia's recent dominance, further justifies their price as the clear favorite in Saturday's CFB odds.

Bulldogs betting analysis

Georgia returns 16 starters from last year's 13-1 team, led by Heisman candidate Carson Beck. The 6-foot-4 quarterback from Jacksonville, FL, is poised for a breakout year behind a strong offensive line that returns four starters.

The Bulldogs' backfield remains strong and talented, although there may be some absences due to injuries and off-field issues. Georgia's approach to wide receivers has proven effective despite the loss of standout tight end Brock Bowers.

Brock Bowers speed 👀😮‍💨

FOREIGNER pic.twitter.com/rkvkQJ72EE

— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) 12 August 2024

On defense, Georgia will look to improve on last year's 26th-ranked EPA per game and 30th-ranked success rate. The return of stars like safety Malaki Starks and linebacker Mykel Williams should bolster an already elite unit.

To secure the win on Saturday, UGA will need to control the offensive line on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line will need to neutralize Clemson's strong defensive line, while the defense will look to pressure quarterback Cade Klubnik and disrupt the Tigers' inexperienced wide receivers.

Tigers betting analysis

Clemson enters the 2024 season with the goal of building on the success that defined their program from 2015 to 2020. The Tigers' hopes rest largely on the shoulders of starting quarterback Cade Klubnik, who is in his second year.

The Austin, Texan native showed his potential in 2023 but struggled with consistency and turnovers. The fact that the Tigers' once highly touted wide receivers are now filled with talented but untested rookies like Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore doesn't make things any easier.

In the backfield, Phil Mafah takes over the role of main forward following Will Shipley's departure. The strong runner from Loganville, Georgia, will carry the brunt of the load and help balance the offense.

Clemson's defense remains the backbone of the team and consistently ranks among the best in the country. The front seven, led by rising stars like Peter Woods and Barrett Carter, must pressure Carson Beck and disrupt Georgia's running game.

However, the Tigers' conservative approach to the transfer portal and NIL deals has prevented them from addressing key position needs, and as a result, they have simply struggled to compete with other top programs in terms of talent level.

Prediction for Georgia vs. Clemson

I expect Georgia to erase the 13.5 point lead and defeat Clemson by a reasonable score of 35-21. The Bulldogs' talent advantage will be too great for the Tigers to overcome, especially on the offensive line and in the secondary.

Georgia's recent dominance in season openers (10 straight wins) and historic win against Clemson further reinforce my prediction. The Bulldogs haven't 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 running game and explosive passing attack and pull away in the second half. UGA's depth and ability to rotate players without significant drop-offs should be a key factor in this matchup.

A strong performance from Carson Beck could catapult 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, tip:

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