Clemson vs. Georgia prediction, odds, line, start time: 2024 college football picks, bets from top expert

The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs aim to get off to a fast start in 2024 when they take on the No. 14 Clemson Tigers in the 2024 Aflac Kickoff game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Bulldogs have won two of the last three College Football Playoff national championships, and own a 94-16 overall record during the Kirby Smart era. Georgia returns 16 starters, including quarterback Carson Beck , from last year's team that went 13-1 and won the Orange Bowl. Clemson won five straight to close out the 2023 season and finished with a 9-4 overall record. Dabo Swinney returns eight starters on offense, including quarterback Cade Klubnik. Defensively, the Tigers have a Bednarik Award candidate in linebacker Barrett Carter .

Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is set for noon ET. The Bulldogs are favored by 12.5 points in the latest Georgia vs. Clemson odds, while the over/under is 48.5 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before making any Clemson vs. Georgia picks, you need to see the Week 1 college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's Jimmie Kaylor .

Kaylor is an NFL, college football and DFS expert for SportsLine, who has covered the NFL and college football for close to a decade as a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. His background as a former college football All-American and NFL player gives him a unique perspective when building his fantasy lineups and locking in his betting picks. He has his finger on the pulse of the college football landscape and has been cashing in big for the last two years.

Kaylor destroyed the books in college football in 2023, netting a whopping 57.9 units while posting a 107-45-2 record. Anyone who followed his picks finished the season way up.

Now, Kaylor has dialed in on Georgia vs. Clemson on Saturday and just revealed his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks . Here are the college football odds and betting lines on the spread , money line and over/under for Clemson vs. Georgia:

• Clemson vs. Georgia spread: Georgia -12.5
• Clemson vs. Georgia over/under: 48.5 points
• Clemson vs. Georgia money line: Georgia -513, Clemson +383
• Clemson vs. Georgia picks: See picks at SportsLine
  

Why Georgia can cover

Carson Beck gets a lot of the attention, but Georgia may have the best defense in the country. Safety Malaki Starks was a consensus All-American in 2023, and is a leader of the group. Edge rusher Mykel Williams will be a constant problem for opposing offenses, and leads a defensive line loaded with All-SEC caliber talent. Both Starks and Williams are projected to be early first round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Another factor working in Georgia's favor is the location of this game. The game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a hub city for Georgia fans. The Bulldogs also return 16 total starters from last year's team that played at the venue for the 2023 SEC Championship Game. See which team to pick here .

Why Clemson can cover

Clemson saw its 12-year streak of posting double-digit wins come to an end in 2023. The Tigers did post a respectable 9-4 record last year, and enter the 2024 season with high expectations. Dabo Swinney returns a total of 10 starters from his 2023 team (eight on offense, two on defense), and he has several highly-regarded players ready to step into prominent roles.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik gained valuable experience in 2023, and was at his best down the stretch. Despite having to replace nine starters, the Tigers' biggest strength may be on defense. Linebacker Barrett Carter surprised many when he opted to return to Death Valley for another season, and may be the best defensive player in the ACC. See which team to pick here .

How to make Clemson vs. Georgia picks

Kaylor has analyzed Georgia vs. Clemson from every angle and he's leaning Over on the point total. He has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine .

So who wins Georgia vs. Clemson in the Aflac Kickoff game in Atlanta on Saturday, and what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the expert who profited $5,790 for $100 college football bettors in 2023 , and find out.