CLEMSON – The Georgia Southern football team is confident it can come into Clemson on Saturday and upset the Tigers.

“I don’t like jumping the gun, but once I’ve seen some of the things I’ve seen, I was smiling pretty happy about our odds going into the game this week,” Eagles defensive back Aaron Sears said.

Vegas agrees with Sears or at least those placing the bets do. This week’s spread opened at 26.5 points, and by Friday night it was down to 19.5

Georgia Southern at Clemson

• Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
• TV: ACCN
• Spread: Clemson 19.5
• Total: 54.5 points
• Series: Clemson leads the series 1-0

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Clemson desperately needs a win, if there is such a thing after one game. The Tigers looked awful against LSU last week, especially at the lines of scrimmage. It was an embarrassing performance, one a victory of any kind can erase, at least for a week.

KEY MATCHUP

Clemson’s secondary against quarterback Max Johnson and the Georgia Southern Wide receivers. Johnson came out on fire last week, as the Eagles offense exploded for three touchdowns in the first 15 minutes. Wide receiver Ashton Hollins caught eight passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said the secondary was the best part of last week’s game, though LSU threw two TD passes. Overall, Swinney and the defensive coaches feel they have the guys they need on the backend of the defense to be successful.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco, you felt, was about to bust a play last week if the offensive line could have given Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds enough time to get the ball out. Though Sears is confident they can stop the Tigers offense, Georgia Southern’s speed on the backend of its defense is not the same as Wesco’s and company. And they are definitely not LSU’s secondary. This is a good matchup for Clemson, if the offensive line can give its quarterbacks enough time.

Georgia Southern quarterback Max Johsnon completed 28 of 39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown without an interception in last week’s win over Charleston Southern. Johnson came out firing, leading TD drives of 75, 57 and 69 yards to start the game. In the first quarter, the former North Carolina quarterback was 14 of 17 for 147 yards and three scores.

THIS AND THAT

The Tigers are attempting to earn their 100th victory in a home opener in program history on Saturday. Presently, they are 99-18-8 in their 125 previous home openers, as there were five seasons in school history (1896, 1897, 1899, 1903 and 1914) in which Clemson did not play at home.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Tigers should be able to get on the scoreboard against Georgia Southern and they should be able to wear the Eagles down, considering the size of the rosters. But nothing is going to be easy right now, and I do not see tomorrow going too easy, either. Georgia Southern will run on Clemson, especially up the middle and then Johnson will try to go over the top once the safeties start to sneak up. The Eagles will give Clemson a run for their money, but I do think the offense will get going and speed and talent will eventually take over for the Tigers.

Prediction

Clemson 35, Georgia Southern 20