Syracuse vs. Clemson Prediction
Will No. 2 Clemson have any trouble at home when it plays host to Syracuse today at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Clemson is favored at home in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -26.5 points against Syracuse. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 68 points. Clemson has won three straight meetings with Syracuse, but the Orange are 3-1 against the spread in their last four against the Tigers.
Clemson improved to 8-0 on the season and 5-0 in the ACC last week with a 37-34 win at Florida State last week. The Tigers are 4-4 against the spread, but have failed to cover in their last two games. Clemson has been led by its defense in 2016, allowing just 17.6 points and 317.4 yards per game. They are holding opponents to just 181.1 passing yards per contest as well. On offense, Clemson is putting up 36.6 points and 478.9 yards per game, including 314 yards per game through the air. Deshaun Watson has thrown for 2,328 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead the team, but he also has 10 interceptions. Mike Williams is the leading receiver with 46 receptions for 648 yards and four scores. Wayne Gallman is the leading rusher with 571 yards and seven touchdowns.
Syracuse is coming off a 28-20 win at Boston College two weeks ago. The Orange are 4-4 on the season, 2-2 in the ACC and 4-4 against the spread. The Orange have covered in their last two games. This season, Syracuse is putting up 26.6 points and 486.8 yards per game on offense, but the defense is giving up 450.8 yards per contest. They are also giving up nearly 200 rushing yards per contest. Eric Dungey has thrown for 2,631 passing yards and 15 touchdowns while Amba Etta-Tawo has caught 66 passes for 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns. The leading rusher is Dontae Strickland, who has 444 yards and two touchdowns.
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It will be interesting to see how Etta-Tawo is able to perform against one of the best pass defenses in the nation. While he may get his yards, Syracuse doesn’t have the variety to contend with this defense regularly. Following a pair of close games, I think Clemson will be ready to take the stress off and blowout an opponent at home. Watson needs to really start padding his stats to make a Heisman push. It starts today.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 10 PREDICTION: CLEMSON -26.5