Georgia vs. Clemson Week 1 Prediction
The marquee matchup in college football for Week 1 will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC when No. 3 Clemson plays No. 5 Georgia at 7:30 p.m. ET. Will the Tigers cover as a small favorite?
Game Snapshot
207 Georgia Bulldogs (+3) at 208 Clemson Tigers (-3); o/u 51
7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, September 4, 2021
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: ABC
Georgia Bulldogs Game Notes
Georgia redshirt sophomore WR Kearis Jackson (knee) is still working his way back after undergoing a “cleanup” procedure earlier this offseason. Jackson (6’0/200) underwent the procedure earlier this offseason, and while it didn’t sound to be all that serious when reported, he remains at less than full speed. The redshirt sophomore is being worked back slowly, and it’s understandable that Georgia would exercise caution here. The Bulldogs are already down two wide receivers due to knee injuries (Dominick Blaylock and George Pickens), and Jermaine Burton only recently returned to practice after spraining his ankle on the first day of fall camp. Both Burton and Jackson are expected to be ready to go when Georgia faces Clemson on September 4 in Charlotte.
Clemson Tigers Game Notes
Clemson senior RB Lyn-J Dixon and sophomore RB Kobe Pace are listed as co-starters ahead of Saturday’s game against Georgia. With Travis Etienne now in the NFL, the remaining Clemson running backs have some big shoes to fill. And they’ll be thrown right into the fire, as Saturday’s opener is Week 1’s most anticipated matchup. Dixon (5’10/195) is the more experienced of the two Clemson backs listed on the top line of the depth chart, as he’s rushed for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns in his college career. As for Pace (5’10/210), he finished the 2020 season with 75 yards on 18 carries, and did not lose yardage on any of those rushing attempts. Dixon and Pace will handle the majority of the reps Saturday, with freshman Will Shipley listed third on the depth chart.
Georgia vs. Clemson Betting Prediction
Clemson is 15-4 against the spread under head coach Dabo Swinney since 2012 in featured games such as conference championship matchups, playoff games or bowl meetings. Swinney is also 32-19-1 against the number as a favorite since 2017, while Georgia went 2-4 against the number on the road last season and 0-2 against the spread the last two seasons as an underdog.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PREDICTION: CLEMSON TIGERS -3