Week 1: Georgia Tech vs Clemson 9/5/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Clemson Tigers square off Monday night in week 1 of college football action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Clemson Tigers won 10 games last year and enter the 14th season under coach Dabo Swinney. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets won 3 games last year and enter the fourth season under coach Geoff Collins.

The Clemson Tigers averaged 26.3 points and 359.2 yards per game last season. Clemson allowed an average of 14.8 points and 305.5 yards per game last season. DJ Uiagalelei returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,200 yards, 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Joseph Ngata and Beaux Collins are a returning receiving duo that combined 800 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Will Shipley led the Tigers with 700 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Trenton Simpson returns after 64 tackles, Myles Murphy led Clemson with 7 sacks and R.J. Mickens had 2 interceptions. The Clemson Tigers are due for a bounce back season and have all the pieces in place to make a run at a national title. Uiagalelei flashes potential and should be better with another season. Clemson has arguably the best defense in the country with Bryan Bresee, Murphy and Simpson. Clemson will be eager to make an early statement with the CFB world all to themselves on Monday night.  

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets averaged 24 points and 367.3 yards per game last season. Georgia Tech allowed an average of 33.5 points and 455 yards per game last season. Jeff Sims returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,400 yards, 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Malachi Carter and Kalani Norris are a returning receiving duo that combined 600 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Dontae Smith had almost 400 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Ayinde Eley returns after 90 tackles, Charlie Thomas had 3 sacks and Myles Sims had 3 pass deflections. Georgia Tech has serious questions on both sides of the ball, as it lost its best two offensive players and returns just two defensive starts. Sims showed promise at quarterback, but he’s going to need help. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets don’t get to start the season with a cupcake to feel things out and find answers. 

The Tigers are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games in September and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Yellow Jackets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 conference games and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 Monday games. The under is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 Monday games. The Tigers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Georgia Tech and 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets weren’t good last season, and they have a lot of questions on both sides entering this contest. The Clemson Tigers are loaded, and they have motivation after how last season ended. This is a bad spot for Georgia Tech and a perfect spot for Clemson to make a statement with it being the only game on the market. I love my home dogs and the hook over 3 touchdowns is intriguing, but there’s a serious talent gape between these teams, and it just feels like it’s going to be a Clemson bloodbath. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m laying the points with the road team.