ACC Championship Prediction
Can No. 2 Clemson cover a big spread when it meets up with Pittsburgh tonight in the ACC Championship at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
319 Pittsburgh vs. 320 Clemson
Saturday, December 1, 2018
8PM ET – Bank of America Stadium
TV: ABC
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Clemson is favored heavily in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -27.5 points against Pittsburgh. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 53 points. The public betting currently has 61 percent going on Clemson as the favorite in this contest.
Clemson seeking perfection
The Tigers kept their unbeaten season going last week with a 56-35 win over South Carolina in their annual rivalry game. Clemson is now 12-0 on the season, 6-6 against the spread and 6-6 with the over/under total. The Tigers have failed to cover in their last two games.
Clemson has had one of the best defensive units all season. The Tigers have the fourth-ranked scoring defense (14 ppg) and ninth-ranked total defense (290.2 ypg). Their rushing defense ranks second nationally (91.8 ypg). On offense, Clemson is putting up 45.7 points per game, which ranks fifth in the country. Their 540.1 yards per game lands third in the nation. Running back Travis Etienne is leading the way with 1,307 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns while Trevor Lawrence has thrown for 2,488 yards and 22 touchdowns. Tee Higgins is the leading receiver with 49 catches for 766 yards and eight scores.
Panthers beatdown by Miami
After a surprising run in the ACC, Pittsburgh suffered a bad 24-3 loss at Miami last week to snap a four-game winning streak. The Panthers are 7-5 on the year, 7-5 against the spread and 7-5 with the under. Pitt had a 6-game cover streak snapped in last week’s loss.
Pitt has not been known for lockdown defense this year. The Panthers rank in the bottom half of the nation in most defense stats. They are giving up 27.8 points and 400.9 yards per game. Their rush defense allows 175.3 yards per contest. When it comes to offense, Pitt averages 28 points and 386.1 yards per game. Their rushing offense ranks 17th nationally at 232.7 yards per contest. Qadree Ollison is leading the offense with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while Darrin Hall adds 935 yards and nine scores. Kenny Pickett has thrown for 1,825 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Clemson
Clemson is 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 games on a neutral site and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following a win.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has covered in five of its last six ACC games and in five straight following a loss of more than 20 points.
Prediction:
Clemson should certainly win, but can the Tigers dismantle the Panthers tonight? The Tigers just need a win to get into the playoff, so style points don’t really matter. Pittsburgh has nothing to lose either, so I can see the Panthers pulling out a lot of tricks to try and keep this game as competitive as possible. Clemson didn’t look great last week against South Carolina and I fear another letdown could take place today as it is an overwhelming favorite tonight. Pittsburgh has an offense that can break some plays and I think they will do enough to cover.
ACC Championship Prediction: Pittsburgh +27.5
Related: ACC Championship Total Prediction