Georgia vs Clemson Odds, Spread and Best Bet

• Clemson and Georgia faceoff in Charlotte on Saturday, September 4th at 7:30 PM EST
• The Bulldogs are dealing with key injuries, while Clemson’s Justyn Ross is back healthy
• Read below for odds, game preview and betting prediction

Week 1 of the 2021 College Football season features arguably the biggest matchup of the entire regular season. No. 3 Clemson and No. 5 Georgia faceoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday, September 4th. The game will be broadcast on ABC at 7:30 PM EST.

The Tigers are listed as small favorites in their first game since losing QB Trevor Lawrence to the NFL Draft. The Bulldogs will look to pull off the upset despite being down several key players due to injury. Clemson’s Justyn Ross is healthy and will play his first game since March 2020.

Georgia vs Clemson Odds 

Odds as of September 2nd

Uiagalelei Era Underway at Clemson 

With Trevor Lawrence taking snaps in the NFL, the DJ Uiagalelei era is officially underway for Clemson. The sophomore pivot got some crucial experience in 2020, starting for the Tigers against Boston College and Notre Dame. Uiagalelei impressed in limited action, throwing for 916 yards and five TDs while rushing for an additional 60 yards and four scores.

Uiagalelei is a dual-threat quarterback who is projected to be just as good – or even better – than his predecessor Lawrence. He gets a huge boost up front with the return of WR Justyn Ross. The 6-4, 205-pound receiver missed the entire 2020 season with a severe spinal injury, but is back healthy. Ross recorded a team-high 66 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019.

While Clemson’s offense is going to be a problem, the defense could be even better. The Tigers return their entire defensive line in 2021 plus veteran linebacker James Skalski. The Tigers are also experienced in the secondary with the return of senior safety Nolan Turner and junior cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.

Banged Up Bulldogs Out for Blood

Georgia has something to prove entering Week 1 against Clemson. Kirby Smart’s team is out to show that they warrant all the preseason hype they’ve been generating. The Bulldogs rank third in the National Championship odds after finishing the 2020 season on a four-game winning streak.

𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙆 😗🤌 📲#ATD #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/nYTaqzEwx9

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 30, 2021

Georgia is led under center by former USC transfer JT Daniels, who threw for for 1,231 yards and 10 TDs in UGA’s final four games. Daniels won’t have several of his top receiver targets available, however, due to injury. Leading WR George Pickens went down with a knee injury in the spring, while Darnell Washington and Arik Gilbert are also out.

Despite the injuries, the Bulldogs are still loaded. Georgia returns its top two runners in Zamir White and James Cook, plus four starters on the offensive line. Defensively, UGA returns all but two starters in the front seven, including DT Jordan Davis. UGA is inexperienced in the secondary, however, and it spells trouble that DB Tykee Smith (foot) is yet to be cleared.

Georgia vs Clemson Best Bet 

This game should be dictated by a few key matchups. UGA’s deep running back group will be facing a stout Tigers rush defense that allowed just 3.1 yards per carry in 2020. Clemson’s dynamic pass attack will be up against a young and revamped UGA secondary.

If it weren’t for the Bulldogs’ offensive injuries, Georgia would make for a solid underdog moneyline bet. With both teams boasting excellent defenses and pass-rushing ability, the game could come down to which QB can get the ball off quicker .

Justyn Ross.

That’s it. That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/zzP37lOuhA

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 6, 2021

Not only is Justyn Ross almost uncoverable, but Clemson boasts three other 6’3″ targets in EJ Williams, Frank Ladson and Joseph Ngata. The Bulldogs have lost all four of their top cornerbacks from last season. If the Clemson pass attack has its way, the UGA offense won’t have the firepower to keep up.

There may be no Travis Etienne in Clemson’s backfield, but it won’t be long before five-star freshman Will Shipley is a household name. Look for Clemson’s rush attack to be activated, Uiagalelei to make a few big throws, and the Tigers’ pass-rush to breakthrough against Georgia’s stout offensive line.

• Pick: Clemson -3 (-110)