Georgia vs Clemson Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Is Clemson ready to get back in the national championship discussion? It lost the 2021 season opener to Georgia in a 10-3 fight, and last season’s Week 1 loss to Duke made it two Opening Day losses in the last three years.

Georgia is No. 1 in the main preseason polls, loaded with the talent to make it three national titles in four seasons, and it’s trying to make it 11 years in a row with a Week 1 opener since losing in 2013 to … Clemson.

It doesn’t really make a difference who loses. Both will be deep in the mix for their respective conference titles no matter what happens here, but the winner will be on rocket fuel for the CFP - especially, because of the schedule, if it’s Clemson.

Georgia vs Clemson Preview

Georgia vs Clemson How to Watch
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
How to Watch: ABC
2023 Records: Georgia (13-1), Clemson (9-4)
- Week 1 Schedule, Predictions

Why Clemson Will Win

The Clemson secondary had its problems from time to time over the last few years, but even with a few key losses, this group should be an early positive with a few breaks.

Everyone can tackle, the safeties are excellent, and overall the secondary will hold up as long as the pass rush comes through.

The Tigers are young up front, but they have the size and talent to match the power of Georgia’s offensive line.

Offensively, is this when Cade Klubnik turns into the superstar everyone thought he’d be?

He’s been fine, but he hasn’t exactly become the Next Great Clemson Quarterback just yet. He has the experience and tools to rise up and make a big national statement, but…

Why Georgia Will Win

Clemson has too many question marks.

Can all the talent on defense rise up right away? Will the relative lack of depth - at least compared to the elite teams - matter? Will the offensive line be ready for primetime, and will the deep threats be there for the passing game?

It might be apparent very quickly that Clemson could use a tune-up or two before dealing with the No. 1 team in the country.

Georgia should be brutally efficient right out of the gate. QB Carson Beck should have all day to work behind an NFL offensive line, and the receivers are deep enough to spread the ball around from the start.

But it’s about the lines. Clemson’s are very good. They’re not Georgia’s, and that’s no sin. No one is as good in the trenches as the Dawgs, so …

Georgia vs Clemson: Who Will Win

When last we saw Georgia it was laying waste to Florida State with a 63-3 win in the Orange Bowl. It won’t exactly keep the momentum going in Atlanta to get the 2024 season going, but it won’t be far off.

Clemson might win the ACC Championship. The team will be better as the season goes on, the talent among the starting 22 really is good, and the schedule isn’t all that bad once it gets this out of the way.

There will be a few nice moments from the Tigers to keep this from getting ugly, but the Georgia steamroller will crank up to answer every moment of drama.

Georgia vs Clemson Prediction, Betting Lines

Georgia 34, Clemson 17
Line: Georgia -13.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
Georgia vs Clemson Must See Rating: 5