First look: Top storylines, betting odds for Clemson vs. Georgia Tech football game
It’s almost time for Clemson football.
Coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers, ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Top 25, open their 2022 season on Labor Day against Georgia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game. Here’s a first look.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech game, TV info
Who: Clemson (0-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Georgia Tech (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
When: 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5
TV: ESPN
Vegas odds: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech point spread
Clemson opened as a 19.5-point favorite against Georgia Tech and is now a 21 to 21.5-point favorite, according to most major sportsbooks. The over/under is 48.5 points.
Clemson vs. Ga Tech last meeting, trends
Clemson beat Georgia Tech 14-8 in the team’s 2021 meeting. The Tigers have won seven consecutive games against the Yellow Jackets and are 12-2 against GT since 2010.
State of the Clemson Tigers
Clemson — preseason No. 3 last season — quickly fell out of College Football Playoff contention after starting 2-2 with losses to Georgia and N.C. State. The Tigers were 4-3 after a loss to Pittsburgh before rallying for six straight wins. Clemson finished 10-3 and 6-2 in the ACC, preserving an 11-year streak of double-digit victory seasons.
Clemson now welcomes two new coordinators into the fold, as Brandon Streeter replaces now-Virginia coach Tony Elliott and Wes Goodwin replaces now-Oklahoma coach Brent Venables. Expectations are high: Clemson was voted the preseason ACC champion for the seventh time in the last eight years.
State of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech logged a third consecutive three-win season under coach Geoff Collins in 2021. An upset win over then-No. 21 UNC was about the only highlight. The Yellow Jackets lost their home opener to MAC team Northern Illinois, went 2-6 in the ACC and ended the season on a six-game losing streak.
Collins is on the hot seat entering his fourth season, and the transfer of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs to Alabama during the offseason didn’t help. Lacking star power, Georgia Tech was picked to finish second to last in the ACC Coastal Division behind Duke.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech players to watch
Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei: Uiagalelei, Trevor Lawrence’s successor, struggled as a full-time starter last year (nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions) and now has a talented backup in freshman Cade Klubnik. Can Uiagalelei get off on the right foot on national television?
Clemson DL Bryan Bresee: A former No. 1 overall recruit, Bresee was the 2020 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year before tearing his ACL four games into his sophomore season. He returns as a junior with serious NFL Draft hype.
Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims: Much like Uiagalelei, Sims is hoping for a third-year breakout. The dual-threat quarterback led Georgia Tech in total offense (1,840 yards) last year despite playing essentially six games. He has 10 career rushing touchdowns.
Georgia Tech RB Hassan Hall: Hall, a graduate transfer, offers GT a solid veteran presence at running back. He appeared in 42 games across four seasons at Louisville and had 1,299 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns. He’s also a strong kick returner.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
