Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers Predictions, Picks & Odds

• When Georgia has the ball ground game needs to open the pass
• When Clemson has the ball – how do Tigers replace one-two punch?
• Don’t be surprised if…

Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers Odds

Odds presented by  DraftKings Sportsbook

Georgia Bulldogs vs Clemson Tigers Predictions and Pick

This might be the most pivotal game of the college football season and here it comes Week 1. A win and you have a front-row seat to the College Football Playoff. If you lose, you’d better win your conference championship, otherwise, your fate is out of your hands. The main questions are how much of a step back does Clemson’s offense take needing to replace Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne and will Georgia be able to move the ball against one of the toughest defenses in football. Clemson has just proved it more frequently — we like the Tigers to cover the spread.

Pick:

Clemson Tigers to Win

Can Georgia’s Ground Attack Move the Ball?

Yes this is a rather general question, but really it’s what everybody is trying to figure out. When things went wrong last year for Clemson on defense (namely in losses to Notre Dame and Ohio State), it’s because opponents averaged better than five yards per carrying.

Will Georgia and Zamir White — who appears to be the leader in this backfield, tallying nearly 1200 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons with the Bulldogs — be able to get downhill on a Clemson front-seven featuring guys like Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, and Tyler Davis that many believe are the best in college football? Kendall Minton, who was named to the All-Sec freshman team a season ago should also factor nicely into the equation. ​

Because let’s face it, for all Georgia’s new hopeful ‘Air Raid’ offense is being hyped up to be under second-year coordinator Todd Monken, the Bulldogs still ran the ball 40 or more times in six of 10 games last year. Kirby Smart wants to run the ball and control the game.

That said, JT Daniels took this offense to another level last season, and the ability to pass the ball downfield will of course play a large role in this game.

He has a number of toys to play with Jermaine Burton, Arian Smith, and Kearis Jackson, and how they match up against Clemson’s lockdown secondary with stars like Andrew booth and Nolan Turner are matchups to watch and quite frankly it’s hard to say who has the edge.

Ready or Not Here They Come

Trevor Lawrence never won the Heisman trophy, but he was the best player in college football each of the past five years. So the question is not will Clemson’s offense take a step back, it’s how much will Clemson’s offense take a step back?

DJ Uiagalelei is a bonafide stud and by all accounts is as cool, calm and collected as Lawrence. He’s got a huge frame, the arm size, and accuracy to match it, and is mobile enough to run past you.

Last year he got a month’s worth of action and was sensational — completing 78-of-117 passes (66.7 percent), for 914 yards, five touchdowns throwing, two rushing, and no interceptions.

Lawrence isn’t the only first-round talent missing from this offense — his backfield mate in Travis Etienne is gone as well who was only one of the most prolific running backs in the history of the ACC.

In his four-year career, Etienne rushed 686 times for just shy of 5,000 yards (4,952) with 70 rushing touchdowns to go with 102 catches for 1,155 yards and eight receiving scores.

The role of lead running back these days might be the main question for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers. Lyn-J Dixon seems to be the obvious choice, but sophomore Kobe Pace and heralded freshman Will Shipley have both made noise this summer. No matter if it’s a feature back or a committee, it’s going to be a tall task for this backfield.

Don’t Be Surprised If…

Early season college football is unlike any other sport. There’s no preseason. There’s limited media access. They’re college students and not professionals, which means not only is there more unpredictability but there’s more turnover.

This is coming off of a Covid year where the stands will be fully packed and the atmosphere, albeit at a neutral site game, should be rocking.

So, don’t be surprised if someone has a coming-out part. Often times we look back to eary season statements and say “I remember when,” so here are two guys to keep an eye on as candidates to do just that.

For Georgia, it’s going to be Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for two reasons. One is because of talent, but two is because of opportunity. Arik Gilbert is out and Darnell Washington is questionable with a foot injury. JT Daniels is going to throw the ball 35 times, so he’s going to need a target. Don’t be surprised if Rosemy-Jackson has 100+ yards, a score, or both.

For Clemson, don’t be surprised if Uiagalelei absolutely dominates and people are talking on Sunday about if he’s better than Trevor Lawrence. It will be ridiculous to have that conversation, but don’t be surprised if it does.

Uiagalelei very likely may have been the second overall pick in the draft this year based on talent if he were eligible, so don’t be surprised if he makes a top-five defense on the national stage look like something he does on a nightly basis.

How to Watch Georgia vs Clemson