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Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Prediction: Take Tigers Defense to Sting Yellow Jackets

By Ben Heisler

Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy led the Tigers with eight sacks in 2021.
Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy led the Tigers with eight sacks in 2021. / Ken Ruinard / staff via Imagn Content
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It's hard to consider a 10-3 season a disappointment, but given the Clemson Tigers' National Championship aspirations a year ago, their 2021 campaign was just that: disappointing.

They look to bounce back in 2022 when they open up their season on the road in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the final game of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff.

In their previous matchup a season ago, Georgia Tech limited the Tigers' offense to just 14 points; eventually falling 14-8. With the spread approaching 24 points, can Tech pull off another stunning cover; this time at home?

Here's a look at the latest odds on the board:

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Clemson -23.5 (-110)
  • Georgia Tech +23.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Clemson: -2800
  • Georgia Tech: +1160

Total: 

  • 50.5 (Over -118/Under -104)

Clemson vs Georgia Tech Betting Trends

Clemson Tigers

  • 0-7 vs. the spread (ATS) in first seven games last year
  • OVER has gone 4-1 in their last five games
  • 11-5 ATS last 16 games as a road favorite

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

  • 1-7 ATS in last eight games
  • UNDER is 3-1-1 in their five games
  • 4-11 ATS last 15 games as a home underdog

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Odds, Spread and Total Movement in Week 2

After opening as 19.5-point favorites, the Tigers have since been bet up to -21, and are currently -23.5 to cover the spread, and -2800 on the moneyline. The total opened at 50.5, and has since settled back at that number, but can also be found at 51 at several books.

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Prediction and Pick

BetSided's Joe Summers jumped on the Tigers at -21 earlier in the week, and was on the right side of the action as the number has moved a full 2.5-points in Clemson's direction since.

This should be an absolute breeze for Clemson, but 23.5-points to cover on an island game feels a bit iffy to me, especially if the Yellow Jackets end up with a meaningless back door cover with the game already out of reach as the Tigers pull their starters.

Instead, I'll focus on the total. Even though I missed the key number at 51, I still project Clemson's defense to be too strong for anything Georgia Tech can handle. Almost all of the Tigers' starters return from last year where their defense finished top 10 in rushing success rate, and top eight in total defense. That's bad news for the Yellow Jackets, who operate a heavy rushing attack as part of their offensive game plan.

Even with longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables now the head coach at Oklahoma, I doubt the Tigers will skip a beat defensively; limiting the Yellow Jackets on the ground and through the air all night.

PICK: UNDER 50.5 (-104)

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