Week 1 of the college football season features a marquee matchup between top-ranked Georgia and No. 14 Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Saturday and ABC on the broadcast.
We’re taking a look at the matchup in the context of betting lines and changing odds as the game approaches. Sports betting sites are offering an array of lines as the season opens in earnest as well as promotions, with sportsbook promos like the one below available to new customers.
Georgia favored over Clemson ahead of Week 1 showdown
With two NCAA championships over the past three seasons, the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (-13.5) are heavy favorites on the point spread over the No. 14 Clemson Tigers. Georgia has taken the past two meetings with Clemson, and Dabo Swinney’s program has failed to make the College Football Playoff for three consecutive years. Clemson went 9-4 last season and beat Kentucky in the Gator Bowl. The Bulldogs went 13-1 last season, dominated Florida State in the Orange Bowl, and return elite quarterback and Heisman candidate Carson Beck.
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Breaking down Clemson and Georgia
How Clemson could cover the spread
Georgia returns 16 starters this season but will likely be without lead back Roderick Robinson (turf toe) and Jordan Hall (tibia) for the opener. Those absences could help Clemson exert some control over the line of scrimmage. While young, the Tigers have some top-tier talent on the defensive line, led by TJ Parker and Peter Woods. Clemson allowed just 287.8 total yards per game last season, which ranked eighth in FBS, and its last matchup against Georgia was a 10-3 defeat, so a low-scoring affair could allow the Tigers to cover.
On the other side of the ball, Georgia is dealing with some turnover in its secondary, and Clemson can unleash a pair of new receiving weapons: Freshmen TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco. Antonio Williams and Cole Turner are healthy after missing most of last season due to injury, so quarterback Cade Klubnik might be able to keep Clemson competitive if this matchup turns into a shootout.
How Georgia could cover the spread
Even with a couple of starters out, the Bulldogs have a wealth of talent at every position, which could allow them to continue dominating the competition. Georgia went 4-2 against the spread when facing ranked opponents last season, with an average margin of victory of 27.8 points. Georgia coach Kirby Smart could deploy Florida transfer Trevor Etienne (if not suspended) at lead back or give true freshman Nate Frazier a shot at carries after an impressive camp.
As good as Clemson’s defense was last season, Georgia’s was even better. The Bulldogs ranked seventh nationally in points allowed (16.3) and third in opponent’s third-down conversion rate (26.7%), as their offense led the nation with a 55.6% conversion rate on third downs. Although they lost stud defensive back Kamari Lassiter to the NFL, the Bulldogs can replace him with five-star sophomore Joenel Aguero. Beck and company might find third-down conversions to be a bit more difficult without Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey, but the senior passer still has plenty of talented receivers to target if Georgia gets behind on down and distance.
