My gut and my brain are operating at two very different wavelengths for Saturday’s matchup between 14th-ranked Clemson and No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta.
My brain wonders why the spread is below 14 points if the Bulldogs are supposed to be so good and the Tigers are such a big question mark. However, my gut is simply saying: “Georgia IS that good — the Bulldogs will steamroll Clemson.”
The pick — Georgia -13 vs. Clemson (-115, BetRivers)
I feel like Cookie Monster looking at a massive homemade chocolate chip cookie with “Georgia -13” written all over it. The Bulldogs won their games last season by an average scoring margin of 23.2 points, which was good for the third-best scoring margin in the country. It’s a program that is no stranger to domination.
And I’m worried about all the Tigers’ question marks. Will shunning the transfer market work? Are we sure Cade Klubnik is actually good? Does Dabo Swinney still have it?
In the spirit of fairness, Georgia has its share of concerns, too. Suspension and injury issues plagued the Bulldogs in the offseason.
Clemson’s season-ending run of five straight wins last year was certainly inspiring, and it’s another big reason why the market isn’t ready to let Georgia lay 14.5 points. But the Bulldogs are a different animal than the Tigers’ opponents during their win streak.
Also, Georgia enters Saturday’s game with something to prove after missing out on the College Football Playoff. With returning starting quarterback Carson Beck, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs will likely be playing a no-holds-barred brand of football to give the committee no reason to leave them out this year.
This is a real sharp vs. square type of bet, and I’m seemingly on the square side here. Georgia’s fully balanced team and Clemson’s recent shaky history have me laying the points and looking like SpongeBob SquarePants square this weekend.
Season record: 0-0-1, 0.00 units