In a game that showcases two squads ranked in the Top 17 overall nationally, the No. 17 Eagles of Boston College (+17.5) are set to greet their in-conference nemesis Clemson Tigers (-17.5) in Alumni Stadium. ABC has the TV rights and the game is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Clemson Tigers vs. Boston College Eagles Betting Preview
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast game, Clemson is projected as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 17.5 points. The Tigers are also receiving -1450 moneyline odds while the Eagles are +800. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 59.5 points, and some good live betting opportunities could exist during this game.
Sharp bettors are hammering the under. The game’s total initially opened at 61.
Each team has been profitable this season as the Tigers have gained 4.0 units while the Eagles are up 2.1 units.
The Tigers are 9-0 straight up (SU), including 6-0 SU against ACC opponents. The Eagles are 7-2 SU overall and 4-1 SU in conference play.
The Tigers are hoping to stay undefeated after a 77-16 victory over Louisville last week. the Tigers completed 14-of-20 passes for 169 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Trevor Lawrence went eight-for-12 for 59 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Chase Brice completed six-of-seven for 110 yards and three touchdowns. Travis Etienne (153 rushing yards on eight attempts, one TD) and Tavien Feaster (101 yards on six carries, two TDs) led the ground attack while Amari Rodgers (three receptions, 12 yards, one TD) and Tee Higgins (three catches, 26 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Boston College enters this one having just earned a 31-21 win over Virginia Tech. Anthony Brown completed 15-of-26 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown. AJ Dillon (96 rushing yards on 24 attempts, one TD) and Travis Levy (75 yards on 11 carries, two TDs) mounted the running game as Tommy Sweeney (four receptions, 61 yards) and Levy (three catches, 28 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Clemson has run the ball on 53.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Boston College has a rush percentage of 65.1 percent. The Tigers have produced 265 rush yards/game (including 286 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 31 scores on the ground this year. The Eagles are totaling 226 rushing yards per game (207 in conference) and have 21 total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it appears the Tigers might hold an advantage when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game. Their backfield has generated 6.9 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 2.2 YPC to opponents. The Eagles have recorded 4.6 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.5 to opponents.
The Tigers offense has averaged 273 yards through the air overall (265 per game versus conference opposition) and has 25 passing scores so far. The Eagles have produced 215 pass yards per contest (213.6 against ACC competition) and have 21 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Clemson appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 90 yards and pass for 179 yards per game. The Boston College defense has allowed 221.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 144.1 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Tigers have given up an ANY/A of 4.45 to opposing QBs, while the Eagles are yielding an ANY/A of 4.03.
Offensively, Lawrence has amassed 1,235 passing yards this season. The signal-caller has completed 68 percent of his 151 attempts with 14 passing scores and only three interceptions. Lawrence’s got a pristine 8.55 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 9.14 over the last two games.
The Tigers will likely try to maintain tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Along with Amari Rodgers (239 yards, two TDs), Travis Etienne (953 rush yards, 15 rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Lyn-J Dixon (439 rush yards, four rush TDs) have been focal points in the Clemson offensive scheme.
On the other sideline, Anthony Brown has completed 106-of-181 passes for 1,415 yards, 15 TDs and four INTs. Brown’s ANY/A stands at 7.54 for the season and 5.48 across his past two outings.
The Eagles also like to keep their RBs involved. Anthony Brown (nine receiving yards, one TD) has contributed lately, but AJ Dillon (748 rush yards, seven rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Travis Levy (173 rush yards, two rush TDs, 104 receiving yards) have seen a multitude of action recently.
These two teams met last year with the final result being a 34-7 win for Clemson.
Free Pick: Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles
SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Clemson defensive unit has 32 sacks on the year while Boston College has 28.
The Boston College offense has lost eight fumbles this season while the Clemson offense has let six get away.
The Tigers offense has tallied 16 pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Eagles have put up five such plays.
The Clemson defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Boston College has given up two such plays.
The Clemson offense has created 28 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Boston College has created 22 such runs.
The Tigers defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Eagles have given up six such runs.
The O/U for Boston College’s last matchup was 57. The under cashed in the 31-21 victory over Virginia Tech.
Over its last three games, Boston College is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Over its last three matches, Clemson is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Clemson’s previous game was set at 61.5. The over cashed in the team’s 77-16 victory over Louisville.
As a team, Clemson has rushed for 6.9 yards per attempt over its past three games and 8.7 over its last two.
Boston College has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.3 over its last two.
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