Clemson’s 10-3 record in 2021 came with several ups and downs, but that clear figure has nothing to do with the Tigers’ rollercoaster ride in the sports betting market.
This team failed to cover the spread in any of its first seven games as it dealt with injuries and inconsistencies. Then the turnaround happened, the Tigers came up with a sustainable run game and that number returned.
Clemson has played five of his last six games, winning them all straight, and racking up double-digit wins for the 11th straight season.
Heading into another year, the Tigers had their longest win streak in Power 5. They will look to continue that in Monday night’s 2022 opener against Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
But that comes with a large number. Clemson is a 23.5-point favorite over the Yellow Jackets, a line that is on the rise, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Tigers were once favored by 19. So what changed?
Gamblers will likely look back on last year’s success late in the season and believe that even holding that level gives the Tigers a chance to cover a large number. Also the defense. It’s loaded. Clemson returns a ton of production, arguably has the best front in college football and showcases the fastest, most talented linebacker corps of the Dabo Swinney era.
Even without former defensive coordinator Brent Venables, there is a belief that this could be one of, if not the best unit in America. And that is based on strong principles. Last year, Georgia had one of the best defenses we’ve ever seen, with the Bulldogs going 14-1 overall and 10-5 at the spread.
Are the Tigers capable of having such a season, at least from a betting standpoint?
Covering a large number against Tech would certainly instill a lot of confidence from the market in the future.
The Yellow Jackets averaged 24 points per game a year ago, but only face eight against Clemson in Death Valley. This year they are without Jahmyr Gibbs, their top player and running back who has moved to Alabama. Jordan Yates, who started as a quarterback against Clemson, also left the program, along with nearly a dozen other players.
It’s hard to imagine Tech can get multiple touchdowns in this game if Clemson’s defense lives up to its billing, even if it’s at least a little bit. Jeff Sims is a mobile QB, but he struggles with accuracy. The Jackets run game will take a big step back. Efficiency and moving the chains will cause problems.
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Behind Enemy Lines: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Clemson kicks off his 127th football season in school history in grand fashion on Labor Day, as the Tigers travel to the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons on Monday, September 5 for a prime-time ACC matchup with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
But let’s face it: The Tiger Offensive didn’t exactly set the world on fire last year, and that’s where the questions about this team will remain in 2022:
- Can QB DJ Uiagalelei, last year’s lowest-rated passer in the ACC, take the necessary steps to make it a legitimate passing match?
- Could the offensive line, which is healthy and looks much better on paper, be above average?
- Who will emerge as a reliable playmaker without a true alpha at wide receiver?
- Will the Tigers run after the three-headed monster in the backfield enough or will they strive too much for balance?
At least Clemson can work these issues out in the opener this year against the other Peach State Power 5 team. Last season, the Bulldogs damaged the Tigers’ confidence.
To cover this number, Clemson will have to dominate up front, which it should. Georgia Tech was 11th in run defense last season and 13th against pass in the ACC. Since then, they lost their best tackler and two best defensive goals.
But Tiger gamblers need the attack to do what it does right and keep the chains moving with the run game. Will Shipley is ready for a standout performance, but an attacking staff with a few new pieces should keep it from getting cute. If the run works, stick with it. If GT stacks the box, someone has to make a one-on-one match in the passing game.
And Uiagalelei just has to be efficient and protect the football. If those keys occur, the Tigers will easily cover this number.
Historically, this is an opponent that Clemson has dominated in recent years. The Yellow Jackets covered last year’s 14-8 loss in the annual series for the first time since 2014, the same year they last won directly.
Bets
Spread: Clemson
Total: Below 50.5
Best Bet (0-0): We went 7-6 on this spot last year and finished on a high note with the under in Clemson’s Cheez-It Bowl win against Iowa State. With a new slate and a chance to start hot, let’s go with a player prop. Sure, there are plenty of odds with the side and total, but the best value is Shipley over 80.5 rushing yards at -114. The sophomore running back had 88 yards against Tech last year in his third game of his career. He crossed this line five times last season and three times in the last five games, once he was relatively healthy. Despite a packed backfield, Clemson will still be playing a lot with Shipley on Monday night, and he will be running behind an attacking line with something to prove. If the passing game can hit a few times early and the Jackets’ schedule softens, see if Shipley has at least one big run over 20 yards that will take him past this number.
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