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Georgia vs. Clemson 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds and Preview

By Hank Blaine

Without question, the marquee matchup of Week 1 of the 2021 college football season features No. 5 Georgia facing No. 3 Clemson at a neutral site in Charlotte on Saturday. The Tigers are short favorites in what could be a College Football Playoff preview.

It’s the first meeting between the two schools that are 70 miles apart since 2014. The teams met annually from 1897 to 1916 and again from 1973 to 1986, but they have only met four times since 1995.

With that, the NitroBetting team arms you with all the information you need for the upcoming Browns vs. Falcons game. This preview puts together important event details, team and player stats, and the latest College Football odds. Furthermore, we combine this with betting trends and predictions, all of which are geared to help you lock in on the best picks. Be sure to check out the latest 2021 College Football odds at out online Bitcoin sportsbook.

Georgia vs. Clemson Game Information

  • When: Saturday, September 4, 2021, 7:30 PM ET
  • Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • TV: CBS, Fox, NBC
  • Radio: 102.7 FM (Clemson) / WSBB-FM 95.5 FM (Georgia)
  • Live Stream: ABC/ESPN app
  • College Football Odds: Clemson -3 (total 51.5)

Why Bet on the Georgia Bulldogs?

Georgia is widely considered the second-best team in the ACC behind Alabama – expect a Dawgs vs. Tide SEC title game. In a way, Clemson can probably afford to lose this game more because it will be such a heavy favorite the rest of the regular season. Georgia can afford to lose it less because of a much tougher schedule.

Both teams have Heisman Trophy candidates at quarterback. For the Dawgs, it’s USC transfer JT Daniels. He started the final four games last year for UGA and finished with 80 completions in 119 attempts for 1,231 yards and 10 TDs.

The Bulldogs also back seven of their top eight receivers. Kearis Jackson leads the bunch following a 2020 season where he caught 36 passes for 514 yards and three scores. Tight end John FitzPatrick had been dealing with a foot injury during camp but will be ready for the opener. FitzPatrick is a veteran presence and standout blocker who also reeled in 10 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown last season.

Running back Zamir White was one of the nation’s top recruits a couple of years ago and had 779 yards rushing on 144 carries and had 11 TDs a year ago. He’s back. Georgia is 29-11 ATS (+16.9 Units) against ACC opponents since 1992.

Why Bet on the Clemson Tigers?

We rarely get Top 5 matchups this early in the season. Clemson is a heavy favorite to win the ACC title again and return to the College Football Playoff even though the Tigers lost star QB Trevor Lawrence and all-time ACC rushing leader Travis Etienne to the NFL from last year’s club.

Clemson’s QB is sophomore DJ Uiagalelei. He played well behind Lawrence last year, completing 78-of-117 passes for 914 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in 235 snaps over 10 games (two starts) as a true freshman. He also rushed for 60 yards and four scores. Wideout Justyn Ross is also back after missing last season. He has caught 112 passes for 1,865 yards with 17 touchdowns in 929 snaps over 29 career games (14 starts) from 2018-19.

At running back, Clemson will turn to Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Pace and 5-star freshman Will Shipley to replace Etienne’s production. In the two games, Clemson lost last season, the Tigers ran for a combined 78 yards. Georgia had the nation’s No. 1 rush defense in the country last season, giving up 72 yards per game.

The Clemson defense last year led the conference in total defense (326.8 total yards per game) and was second in scoring defense (20.2 points per contest). That unit should be great again with six preseason All-ACC selections.

Since 2011, coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers have won 10 or more games every season, claimed seven ACC championships (including the past six), made six consecutive CFP appearances and won national titles in 2016 and 2018. Georgia has made one playoff appearance in that span, losing to Alabama in the 2017 national title game.

There’s a shared connection with cornerback Derion Kendrick, who started for Clemson in the past two seasons before transferring to Georgia this offseason. Kendrick recorded 62 tackles throughout his Clemson career along with three interceptions and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He was named first-team All-ACC last year.

Georgia vs. Clemson Betting Trends

  • Georgia is 2-5 ATS in the last 7 games.
  • Georgia is 5-1 SU in the last 6 games.
  • The total went over in 4 of Georgia’s last 5 games.
  • Clemson is 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games played on a Saturday when playing at home.
  • Clemson is 17-3 SU in the last 20 games.
  • The total went over in 6 of Clemson’s last 8 games.

Georgia vs. Clemson Expert Betting Predictions

By the look of things, it looks like Clemson might have the upper hand in this matchup, but just barely. This is definitely one of the matches to keep an on, as we might be seeing one of the teams that might make it to the next National Championship.

READ MORE: North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech 2021 College Football Week 1 Odds and Preview

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 College Football season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.