A couple of schools that like to deploy their running games, Head Coach Dabo Swinney and the No. 4 Clemson Tigers (-17) are set to pay a visit to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. This pivotal ACC showdown kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN is scheduled to have the TV rights. When the two squads met a year ago, Clemson won by two touchdowns 28-14.
Clemson Tigers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast game, Clemson is projected as the big favorite and is currently giving up 17 points. If they are wanting to play the moneyline, bettors would currently have to lay down $1,400 in order to win $100 back on the Tigers (-1400). The Demon Deacons are getting +780 moneyline odds. Should one team catches a lucky break in the early stages it’ll create a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 62 points.
The total has not changed after being set initially at 62. Having said that, the opening line was 16 and the early action has leaned toward the Tigers.
The Tigers are 1-4 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.0 units so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 2-2. The Demon Deacons have lost 1.0 unit this season. The team is 1-4 ATS and four of its games have gone over the total.
The Tigers have gone 5-0 straight up (SU), including 2-0 SU against ACC opponents. The Demon Deacons are 3-2 SU overall and 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Tigers are looking to stay undefeated following a 27-23 win over Syracuse last week. The defense did its part in the win, holding the Orange to just 250 passing yards and 61 rushing yards. Jamal Custis had a good day for the Orange in that one with 73 yards on five catches. On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers completed 17-of-29 passes for 176 yards and one interception. Trevor Lawrence went 10-for-15 for 93 yards while Chase Brice completed seven-of-13 for 83 yards and one interception. Travis Etienne (203 rushing yards on 27 attempts, three TDs) provided the running attack while Amari Rodgers (four receptions, 27 yards) and Tee Higgins (four catches, 53 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Wake Forest just earned a one-sided 56-24 win over Rice. The Deacs defense allowed the Owls to rush for 267 yards on 44 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Austin Walter was on a different level for Rice, putting up 165 rushing yards and a score on 18 attempts. For Wake Forest, Sam Hartman completed 15-of-17 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns. Cade Carney (49 yards on 13 rush attempts, two TDs) and Christian Beal-Smith (60 yards on nine carries) handled the running game while Greg Dortch (11 receptions, 163 yards, four TDs) and Jack Freudenthal (two catches, 53 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Clemson’s run the ball on 57.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wake Forest has an overall rush percentage of 59.8 percent. The Tigers have rushed for 243 yards per game (including 271 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 13 scores on the ground this year. The Deacs are averaging 244 rushing yards per game and have nine total rush TDs.
Judging by the early season results, it appears that the Tigers ought to have the advantage in terms of RB effectiveness. Their running backs has produced 6.0 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 2.3 to opponents. The Demon Deacons have recorded 4.7 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.7 to opponents.
The Tigers offense has tallied 255 yards/contest in the air overall (204 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Deacs have put up 243 pass yards per contest and have 10 total pass TDs.
Clemson should have an advantage in both areas of the defense. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 95 yards and throw for 169 yards per game. The Wake Forest D has allowed 271.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 189.6 yards per game on the ground. The Tigers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.53 to opponents, while the Deacs have allowed a 7.57 ANY/A.
Offensively, Lawrence is up to 517 passing yards this year, and has completed 63 percent of his 57 attempts with five scores through the air and only one interception. Lawrence’s got a pristine 9.51 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.37 over the last two games.
On the other sideline, Sam Hartman has connected on 83-of-140 passes for 1,075 yards, 10 TDs and five INTs. Hartman’s ANY/A sits at 6.97 for the season and 9.07 across his past two games.
RELATED: Week 6 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NCAA Betting Tip: Clemson Tigers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
Both teams have lost three fumbles this season.
The Clemson D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times this year. Wake Forest has produced just 10 sacks.
As a team, Clemson has produced 6.2962962962963 yards per carry across its past three contests and 6.1 over its last two.
Wake Forest has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.2 over its last two.
In its last three matchups, Wake Forest is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
Clemson was favored by 25 points in its previous game and the Over/Under was 65. The under cashed and Clemson failed to cover in the 27-23 victory over Syracuse.
In its last three matchups, Clemson is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Wake Forest was favored by 28 points in its previous game and the Over/Under was 67. The over cashed and Wake Forest covered in the 56-24 triumph over Rice.
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