Georgia Tech vs. Clemson Total Pick
Will top-ranked Clemson light up the scoreboard on Thursday night when they open up the season against ACC foe, Georgia Tech, at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
135 Georgia Tech vs. 136 Clemson
Thursday, August 29, 2019
8PM ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: ACC Network
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Clemson is the overwhelming favorite in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -36 points against Georgia Tech. The over/under total is currently listed at 59.5 points. The public betting currently has 57 percent going on Clemson as the heavy favorite. Clemson has won four straight meetings with Tech and the two have hit the under in three of their last five clashes.
Tech with a new look
Georgia Tech had a competitive 2018 season, posting a 7-6 record overall and a 5-3 record in the ACC in the final year of Paul Johnson. The Yellow Jackets were 5-8 against the spread and 7-5-1 with the over.
The Yellow Jackets are going away from the triple option that they ran under Johnson and now working with a spread offense under new coach Geoff Collins. That’s a big change for the nation’s top rushing attack at 325 yards per game. Lucas Johnson is expected to lead this new offense after missing last season with an injury. He works with some returning receivers, but Tech’s leading receiver last year had just 15 receptions. Defensively, Georgia Tech gave 29.3 points and 369.6 yards per game last season. The defense has just four starters returning.
Clemson defends its title
Clemson is coming off a national championship last season after going 15-0 overall and 8-0 in ACC play. The Tigers enter the 12th year of Dabo Swinney as head coach. He saw his Tigers go 9-6 against the spread last season while putting up an 8-7 mark with the under.
The Tigers were pretty impressive on both sides of the ball last season. The offense averaged 44.3 points and 527.2 yards per game while giving up 13.1 points and 285.9 yards per game. Clemson has 12 starters back this year, led by sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He threw for 3,280 yards and 30 touchdowns last year with just four interceptions. He has leading receiver Justyn Ross back. Ross had 1,000 yards last year. Also back is stud running back Travis Etienne, who rushed for 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2018.
College Football Betting Trends
Georgia Tech
Tech is 3-0-1 with the over in its last four road games and 7-3-1 with the over in its last 11 conference games.
Clemson
Clemson is 12-3-1 with the under in its last 16 home games and 11-5-1 with the under in its last 17 conference games.
Prediction:
Clemson may be able to put up a lot of points on Thursday, but the key to the total is what Tech will be able to do against the Clemson defense. I don’t think it will be much. Taking this Georgia Tech roster and making it a spread offense is going to take a lot of time to work. The Jackets don’t have the receivers, the consistent passer, or the pass blocking to handle this change right away. It will take multiple seasons to make this transition. Starting off against one of the best defenses in the nation is likely to lead to an ugly outcome.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Georgia Tech/Clemson Under 59.5