Week 1 of the college football season is here, and the highlight of the week is the highly-anticipated Georgia vs. Clemson matchup. Clemson has long been one of the blue bloods on the college football stage. However, Georgia is a new challenger for that tier. Stacked with talent on both sides of the ball, can the Bulldogs make a statement in Week 1 and unseat college football royalty? Here’s how to watch this premier matchup, along with live streams and betting odds.
Georgia vs. Clemson | Week 1
How can you watch this week’s showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Clemson Tigers, and what time does it begin?
How to watch Georgia vs. Clemson | Live streams, TV channel
- Start Time: 7:30 PM ET, September 4
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
- TV Channel: ABC
- Live Stream Options:
- SlingTV
- YouTubeTV
- ABC Live Streams
Georgia vs. Clemson | Odds, spreads, lines, and predictions
- Spread: Clemson -3.5
- Moneyline: Clemson -160
- Total Over/Under: 52
Georgia doesn’t have the same respect as Clemson, and there’s good reason for that. Head coach Dabo Swinney has led his Tigers to the National Championship four times in the last six seasons. He hasn’t fallen below double-digit wins for a full decade, and his team has won at least 12 games in five of the last six seasons.
Nevertheless, Georgia’s consistency under Kirby Smart has perhaps been underrated. Even without top-tier quarterback play at times, Smart’s team has finished as a top-10 squad in each of the last four seasons. He’s 52-14 through his tenure thus far — a winning percentage that very closely trails Swinney’s. Smart doesn’t have the championship pedigree yet, but a ring isn’t out of reach.
Can Georgia come out on top against Clemson? Or will the Tigers reign supreme and start working toward another championship campaign? That will depend on the players, and both teams are filled to the brim with talent.
Players to watch for the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs ultimately must prove themselves before they earn heightened respect. Still, on paper, this team is more talented than previous squads that have come through Athens. The offense is led by JT Daniels, a well-equipped passer with a good arm, who could ultimately enter the Round 1 conversation with a stellar year.
Daniels has a decent amount of firepower, but he will be without a few weapons against Clemson. While the running back rotation of Zamir White, James Cook, and Kenny McIntosh is strong, tight ends Arik Gilbert (personal issue) and Darnell Washington (injury) are both doubtful to play on Saturday. As a result, receivers Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton will be the primary weapons.
On defense, Georgia is again impacted by injury. West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith is not expected to be available. Nevertheless, there’s a lot of talent to go around. Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, Adam Anderson, and Nolan Smith form an imposing defensive front, while Nakobe Dean returns as a productive second-level defender. Even without Smith, Georgia has a formidable safety in Lewis Cine, and Derion Kendrick will be a welcome addition at cornerback.
Players to watch for the Tigers
On offense, everything starts with D.J. Uiagalelei. The big-bodied signal-caller is an incredibly natural passer with great arm talent. He’s not draft-eligible, but he’s already been penciled in as a potential first-rounder in 2023. Uiagalelei will have a plethora of weapons at his disposal, including prodigy running back Will Shipley, Justyn Ross, E.J. Williams, Frank Ladson Jr., Ajou Ajou, and Braden Galloway.
Defensively, Clemson’s upside is scary. The Tigers boast a front that includes Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, Tyler Davis, and former sack artist Xavier Thomas. In the linebacker room, they have a lot of experience with James Skalski and Baylon Spector and a lot of upside with former five-star recruit Trenton Simpson.
Going to the secondary, Andrew Booth Jr. has lockdown potential as a starter. He’ll be joined by Sheridan Jones, Mario Goodrich, and veteran Nolan Turner, who has 6 picks and 13 in his career.
The talent gap between these teams isn’t as large as it would be in previous years. Nevertheless, Georgia appears to be heading into this contest short-handed, and that may prove to be the edge for a Clemson team that’s quickly regaining its strength.