Georgia vs Clemson Prediction 8-31-24 College Football Picks

The Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs meet Saturday in college football action from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here’s a Georgia vs Clemson prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Georgia vs Clemson pick.

Clemson Tigers Betting Preview

In 2023, the Tigers ended up with a pretty solid 9-4 overall record last year and a 4-4 run in Atlantic Coast play. Clemson landed in seventh place among the conference standings with that mark, right behind North Carolina. In the Gator Bowl, the Tigers came away with a 38-35 win over Kentucky to finish on a high note.

2024 marks the 16th full (and 17th overall) season for head coach Dabo Swinney. He’ll lose a host of pretty major players, including CB Nate Wiggins, DT Ruke Orhorhoro, RB Will Shipley, DE Xavier Thomas, LB Jeremiah Trotter and DT Tyler Davis, all of whom were drafted into the NFL.

Georgia Bulldogs Betting Preview

Over on the Georgia side, they certainly had their ups and downs last year. The Bulldogs finished at 13-1 overall with a perfect 8-0 record in SEC play, taking first place in the East. Georgia ended up losing a tough conference championship game 27-24 to Alabama but then demolished Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl.

Kirby Smart enters his ninth season at the helm seeking a bit of redemption on the national stage. Hopes are once again high, even though the Bulldogs lost a total of 48 players (11 graduated; 12 declared for the draft; 22 entered the transfer portal) in the offseason. The good news is that 17 starters return to the fold.

Why the Georgia Bulldogs will win

• Georgia has won each of its last 22 games against non-conference opponents.
• The team ranked 14th in the AP Poll has lost three of its last four games.
• Clemson has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference at neutral venues.
• Georgia has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Georgia has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Georgia has won the first half in each of its last eight games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Why the Clemson Tigers will win

• Clemson has won each of its last five games.
• Georgia has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against AP-ranked teams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• Clemson has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
• Clemson has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Clemson has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Georgia’s last eight season openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Clemson’s last four season openers have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Georgia ranked T1st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.857).
• Georgia ranked T1st among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage last season (.857).
• Clemson ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (2.8).
• Clemson ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.846).

Georgia vs Clemson Prediction

I’ll lean toward Georgia. We should have a fun matchup here, though. The Bulldogs enter the season as the clear favorites in the SEC preseason media poll, and for good reason. With the healthy amount of starters returning and an established system under Smart, Georgia should hit the ground running. QB Carson Beck, RB Trevor Etienne and WR Dominic Lovett headline a talented offense, while safety Malaki Starks is back after helping hold opponents to just 15.6 points per game last year.

It may be tough for Clemson’s offense to move the ball here, even with a renewed focus on explosive play from that unit. I think we’ll see some breakthrough moments here and there from the Tigers, but ultimately Georgia should be in control during this opener.