In the marquee matchup of Week One, the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 2 Clemson Tigers meet Saturday in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Georgia vs. Clemson odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
It’s a new chapter for Clemson on offense. QB D.J. Uiagalelei filled in admirably for Trevor Lawrence in two starts last season, throwing for 914 yards with 5 TD and 0 INT. He’ll be protected by an excellent offensive line, elite talent at the skill positions and a loaded defense led by arguably the best defensive line in the country.
Georgia is just as talented, particularly on defense. They return most of a front-seven core that led the nation in rushing defense last year allowing just 2.4 yards per attempt, and they poached star CB Derion Kendrick from Clemson via the transfer portal this offseason. The offense hit its stride once QB J.T. Daniels took over the starting job in Week 12, averaging 37 points per game over Daniels’ four starts.
Georgia vs. Clemson odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:41 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Georgia +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Clemson -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Georgia +2.5 (+105) | Clemson -2.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Georgia vs. Clemson odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Georgia 27, Clemson 24
Money line
This should be an absolute battle between two elite defenses on legitimate College Football Playoff contenders. We’re splitting hairs, but Georgia’s offense looked much better with Daniels late in the season and they return more production than Clemson on that side of the ball, which matters this early in the year.
Take GEORGIA (+130) in a thriller.
Against the spread
PASS on the spread and take the Bulldogs straight up with a better payout.
Over/Under
Clemson returns almost everybody on a defense that ranked 15th in the nation with 327 yards allowed per game last year. Georgia’s was even better (321 yards per game; 12th). Expect this to be a defensive slugfest as both offenses shake off some Week One rust.
Take the UNDER 50.5 (-108).
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