The Clemson Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) visit the N.C. State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday. The Tigers eked out a win against Georgia Tech, holding on, 14-8, as the offense keeps looking for ways to stop tripping over its collective feet. In two games against FBS competition, the Tigers have averaged 8.5 points per contest. The defense has done its part, permitting just 9.0 points per game, but the offense must improve for Clemson to have a legitimate claim to a slot in the College Football Playoff. The Wolfpack lost two weeks ago at Mississippi State but bounced back with a 45-7 pounding of FCS school Furman.
Let’s take a look at your best NFL betting choices for this ACC matchup.
NCAAF Preview: #6 Clemson at N.C. State (Saturday, September 25)
When: Saturday, September 25, 2021, 3:30 pm ET
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
TV: ESPN
Radio: Clemson Athletic Network / Wolfpack Sports Network
Live Stream: Hulu
NCAAF Odds: Clemson -10.5 / O/U 46.5 / Clemson -420 N.C. State +320
Why should you bet on the Tigers?
The answer to this question is all about the Clemson defense. It held Georgia’s offense to a single field goal, and then it held Georgia Tech to eight points. Even when the offense was struggling (as it has done against everyone except South Carolina State), the defense was able to get off the field in a hurry, handing the ball back to the offense to get what it could.
While N.C. State has put up big numbers on offense, they did that against the likes of South Florida and Furman. When they played Mississippi State, they could not run the ball. They won’t have much luck running the ball against Clemson, either. If you like the Tigers to cover by 10 ½, then you think that they have solved some of the issues that slowed them down against Georgia Tech. It will help, of course, that they won’t be playing in monsoon-like conditions.
Why should you put your money on the Wolfpack?
There are a couple of cracks in that iron Clemson defense. Defensive tackle Tyler Davis had missed the opener before having two solid games, and then he tore a bicep against Georgia Tech, and he will miss several games now. All N.C. State has to do is put up a couple of scoring drives, and its own defense is solid enough to give Clemson some fits.
If you like N.C. State, you’re really leaning on the point spread, rather than a straight up win, at this point. D.J. Uiagalelei has the arm to nail a big throw in the second half, or maybe even two, and Clemson’s defense has the depth and the discipline to make those late scores stand up. As far as dominating the game offensively, though, that’s an entirely different question. Given Clemson’s struggles, all N.C. State has to do is gum up the game enough to keep things close in the fourth quarter for you to have a great shot at the cover.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
Clemson is still the favorite to win the ACC, but this is not going to be a succession of routs by any means. The Tigers have a lot of work to do on their offense, and the Wolfpack’s defense will provide plenty of frustration. I see Clemson winning late, but I predict a final score of Clemson 20, N.C. State 13 — and so a Wolfpack cover.
NFL Betting Odds
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