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Clemson vs. Georgia Tech: preview, odds, prediction, live stream

By Jeremy Morris

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 15: Trevor Lawrence (16) quarterback Clemson University Tigers prepares to start a play during action between Georgia Southern and Clemson on September 15, 2018, at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 15: Trevor Lawrence (16) quarterback Clemson University Tigers prepares to start a play during action between Georgia Southern and Clemson on September 15, 2018, at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The third ranked Clemson Tigers head south to Atlanta to open ACC play against Georgia Tech on Saturday. Game preview, odds, prediction, where to watch on TV or Live Stream.

Clemson walked into a trap in Week 2 when they faced Texas A&M on Saturday night in College Station in the first major home game of the Jimbo Fisher era. They escaped with a 28-26 win then cruised to a 38-7 win over Georgia Southern at home in Week 3.

Even though the Tigers are 3-0, they haven’t looked nearly as dominant as many predicted and in fact are yet to cover a single point spread. They’re averaging respectable 41 points per game and they’ve been stout defensively, allowing only 13.3 points per game (15th of 130 teams).

Incumbent starting quarterback, senior Kelly Bryant, has split time with freshman phenom, Trevor Lawrence, who was the top-ranked high school senior in the nation last year. Dabo Swinney had maintained his position that Kelly Bryant is his starter thus far but continues to insist that both signal callers will see action and are part of the gameplan.

So far he’s been true to his word in terms of the passing games as each quarterback has attempted exactly 43 passes. Lawrence has completed three less but for three more touchdowns than Bryant. Bryant however, has rushed 26 times for 139 yards and a pair of scores.

Dabo relied on his senior quarterback to help close the game out of the road against the Aggies but he suffered an injury in the Week 3 win over Georgia Southern. Bryant is listed as probable but it could be enough of an injury that Dabo leans more on Lawrence just to protect his veteran QB. If Lawrence takes the reins and opens up the passing game the he’s expected to, this could be a big weekend for the Tigers and the rest of the ACC.

The Yellow Jackets, under head coach Paul Johnson, look like a team from a bygone era as they are the only Power Five school that still uses primarily the flexbone spread option offense. Although they are one of the most consistently undersized and undermanned team in the country, they manage to compete year in and year out because their style of play is such a rarity, so hard to defend and they are so well coached and disciplined on both sides of the ball.

This is not one of Johnson’s better teams as the Jackets are 1-2 so far, but comparing their roster to Clemson’s, it’s hard to believe these two teams play in the same conference.

How to bet and watch Clemson at Georgia Tech

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018
  • Kickoff: 3:30 pm EST
  • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
  • Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium
  • TV Info: ABC
  • Live Stream: WatchESPN

Odds and Betting Trends (via Oddsshark)

  • Point Spread: Clemson at Georgia Tech (+15.5)
  • Moneyline: Clemson -650 / Georgia Tech +500
  • Over/Under: 51 pts
  • ATS Record: Clemson: 0-3 / Georgia Tech: 0-3
  • Over/Under Records: Clemson: 1-2 / Georgia Tech: 1-2

Prediction

Georgia Tech is such a hard team to predict. Or to be more accurate, Georgia Tech’s opponents are such hard teams to protect. Given how confused Paul Johnson and spread option can make opponents look, how well-coached and fast his defense typically is, how Tech has the ability to limit time of possession, it’s very hard for me to pick the over. Clemson is just so much more talented on defense, especially upfront that I think they will be able to shut the spread option attack down.

Pick: Clemson -15.5 and Under the 51 point total

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