Clemson vs. Georgia Prediction, Picks & Odds Today: Week 1

Our Clemson vs. Georgia prediction for Week 1 of the college football season has the Bulldogs starting off the year on a positive note after missing the playoffs last season.

Mike Spector

Last updated: August 31, 2024 8:55 AM EDT • 5 min read

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck prepares for a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as we look at our Clemson vs. Georgia prediction. — Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck prepares for a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Photo by Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports.

In a major Week 1 clash, the No. 14 Clemson Tigers take on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs on a neutral field, with the game featuring two teams that have won four of the last eight national championships.

Clemson and Georgia missed the College Football Playoff last year for just the second time in the same season since the four-team format was introduced in 2015. But the two schools are still a main attraction in our Week 1 college football predictions.

The Tigers started 4-4 but rebounded to win its final five games last season. Georgia is the sixth team to top the AP poll in consecutive seasons, but only 11 of the 74 AP preseason No. 1 teams won the national title. However, our Rob Paul expects them to do enough that he has them listed as one of his college football predictions & best bets for 2024.

My Clemson vs. Georgia predictions analyze which team will cover the near two-touchdown point spread at our best college football betting sites, and a player prop involving one of the most experienced skill position players in this AP top-14 matchup.

Best Clemson vs. Georgia picks

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

Game pick: Georgia -12.5 (-105 via FanDuel) vs. Clemson ⭐⭐⭐
Player prop: Phil Mafah Under 72.5 rushing yards (-115 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clemson vs. Georgia prediction: Week 1

Georgia -12.5 (-105) ⭐⭐⭐

Clemson is in unfamiliar territory in this season-opening matchup as double-digit underdogs for the first time since 2012. That is the respect that oddsmakers from our best sports betting sites are giving a Georgia program that's won 42 of its last 44 games.

Same old Tigers?

Clemson was the only non-service academy school to not take anyone from the transfer portal. There's an argument that its cohesion gives it an advantage early in the season. It returns 68% of its production, 32nd-most among FBS teams.

Still, this is the same Tigers roster that failed to win 10 games for the first time since 2010 in what was considered a weak ACC, and the Bulldogs get a clear advantage under center.

Klubnik not clutch

Cade Klubnik had a Total QBR of 9 in the fourth quarter last season, which ranked 125th out of 126 quarterbacks. In addition, his 3.9 yards per dropback ranked 120th. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Carson Beck is a Heisman Trophy odds front-runner after finishing with the third-most passing yards (3,941) behind Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix last year.

FanDuel was the first of the top sports betting sites to lower its odds from -13.5 to -12.5. As an added bonus, bettors are only charged -105 odds to lay the points. A winning $10 wager would pay out $19.52.

Best odds: -105 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 51.22%

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Clemson vs. Georgia player prop

Phil Mafah Under 72.5 rushing yards (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mafah has the lead role in the Clemson running back room all to himself after Will Shipley left for the NFL. Even with splitting time with Shipley, Mafah still managed an impressive 965 yards and 13 touchdowns.

However, this is still a Tigers offensive line that allowed nine sacks the last time they played an SEC opponent (Kentucky in the Gator Bowl). Mafah did run for 71 yards and four touchdowns in that game, but Georgia has led the SEC in run defense in four of the last five years, and the negative game script should force Clemson to abandon the running game in the second half.

I believe DraftKings is too high on Mafah, as they juiced his rushing yards total of 70-plus to -135. Among those shops that offer a traditional O/U on Mafah’s rushing yards, bet365 is the best value for Under backers, as FanDuel’s O/U is one yard lower at 71.5.

A winning $10 wager would profit $8.70.

Best odds: -115 via bet365 | Implied probability: 53.49%

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Clemson vs. Georgia odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Clemson vs. Georgia game info

When: Saturday, Aug. 31
Kickoff: noon ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
How to watch: ABC/ESPN+
Weather: Indoors
Favorite: Georgia -13.5 (-110 via DraftKings)

College football betting odds pages

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Written By:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”