Clemson vs Georgia Odds & Picks Week 1: Bulldogs Never Drop A Season Opener

No surprise that the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs are 13.5-point favorites vs. the No. 14 Clemson Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 1. Kirby Smart bursts into the college football season with a chip on his shoulder, entering as national championship favories (+300) with an early Heisman Trophy frontrunner, Carson Beck (+800), as his quarterback. 

With Clemson not hitting double-digits in the win column for the first time since 2010, Dabo Swinney missed the mark last season. The Dawgs haven’t dropped a season opener since 2013, defeating a ranked Clemson twice in that span – making my decision to lay the points with them that much easier. 

clemson vs georgia Odds

Matchup Page: Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs, 12 pm ET

Odds as of August 27

Clemson vs Georgia Picks – Week 1

With a 42-2 SU record over the last three seasons, featuring three bowl game wins and two titles, it’s not hard to side with the Georgia Bulldogs as fair 13.5-point favorites (-108). Since January 2022, Georgia has had just 14 favored lines set at 17-points or fewer, to which it covered 10 of 14. Being ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Poll for the second consecutive season, it’s not often we snag the best team in the nation at this price. 

I’m a certified Cade Klubnik non-believer. Wrapping up last year with a 55 QBR, there’s a lingering inconsistency. He dropped the season opener to Duke, couldn’t pull off a dub in his first ranked matchup with Florida State and had back-to-back midseason losses. Once officially pushed out of a CFP position, then the junior decided to pocket four straight wins to wrap up the year. But, he’s not shy to crack under pressure. 

Losing a pair of top offensive threats, WR Beaux Collins and RB Will Shipley, leaves less options for Klubnik. Allowing 305.8 YPG, I have faith in the returning Tigers defense. But, we all know Georgia can curate a stout offensive line, adding seven to the field from the 2024 recruitment class that averages a 6-foot-7 stature. I simply don’t trust Klubnik to keep up with Beck. 

Clemson Vs Georgia Week 1 Pick: Georgia -13.5 (-108)

Clemson vs georgia prop Pick: dominic lovett OVER 50+ Receiving Yards (-150)

With Brock Bowers switching to a Las Vegas Raiders uniform, Lovett will be promoted to the new go-to guy in the receiving department. The senior recorded 613 yards, the second-most of the 'Dawgs last season, featuring six games of securing 50-yards or more. 

Averaging 11.4 yards per catch last year, look for Lovett to gain down the field. Cashing this bet may be easier than I think as the Illinois-native saw his longest catch eclipse 15-yards or higher on eight occasions.

Clemson vs Georgia Same-Game Parlay: +550

Georgia -13.5: I’m allowed to double-dip, especially if I’m confident. Put it this way, nine of the Bulldogs’ 13 wins last season were by at least two scores. This isn’t a group that lets it come down to the wire. 

Beck OVER 1.5 Passing Touchdowns: As a Heisman Trophy contender calling the shots for the national championship favorites, Beck better come out with a bang. The senior hit the endzone at least twice in eight performances last season. 

Georgia -7.5 First Half: Notably, Georgia ranked sixth nationally by averaging 22.2 points in the first half. Meanwhile, they gave up just 9.7 points across the opening two quarters. The Bulldogs are one of the few teams I feel comfortable referencing last season's stats on.

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