Clemson (7-1, 5-1) at NC State (6-2, 4-0)
When: Saturday, November 4th 2017
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Time: 3:30 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Clemson -8/51
Open an Account at Bovada Sportsbook Now! Sign up at Bovada.lv to get a $250 Signup Bonus to bet NCAA Football odds and props!
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have a chance to pull-off one of their biggest upsets in years and seize control of the ACC Atlantic Division in the process when they host the Clemson Tigers on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh. Clemson is ranked fourth in the initial College Football Playoff rankings that were released on Tuesday despite a road loss against unranked Syracuse on October 13th, meaning they likely would be back in the national semifinals if they can win out. The Tigers have won five straight and 12 of 13 against N.C. State, but Wolfpack kicker Kyle Bambard missed a potential game-winning 33-yard field goal at the end of regulation last year before Clemson survived 24-17 in overtime. The Wolfpack’s two key wins this season over Florida State and Louisville, have lost some luster with those teams’ recent struggles, but they’re still undefeated in ACC play (4-0) and can take a two-game lead over the Tigers in the Atlantic Division race with a victory. It would also cripple Clemson’s chances to get back to the National title game as they wouldn’t even win their own division. Clemson has won a school-record eight straight games against top-25 opponents – the longest active streak in the nation and third-longest in ACC history.
The Tigers’ defense continues to lead this team and makes their offense even better with the terrific field position they’re getting. The seventh-ranked defense in the nation in yards allowed and sixth in scoring defense, came up with maybe their best effort of the season last week against Georgia Tech, holding the powerful option attack to 230 total yards in a 24-10 victory. The offense had a rough outing in the Syracuse loss with quarterback Kelly Bryant knocked out of the game in the first half, but he and leading rusher Travis Etienne are ready to go this week. Head coach Dabo Swinney’s 96 wins are tied with Danny Ford for second on Clemson’s all-time list behind legendary coach Frank Howard (165).
[ad id=’37018′]
The Wolfpack will be playing their second highly-ranked opponent in a row after suffering a 35-14 loss at Notre Dame last week. N.C. State’s statistical rankings aren’t what you would expect from a team leading the ACC, ranking 41st in total offense and 58th in total defense, but quarterback Ryan Finley has done a nice job at not turning over the ball (1 INT). The defense is having a hard time stopping the pass, but the rush defense is ranked 19th in the country at 119.6 yards a game. Running back Nyheim Hines, who had three-straight 100-yard performances, was hurt in the first quarter against Notre Dame and did not return. His ankle injury appears to be better and has been upgraded to probable for Saturday.
SATURDAY’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
Clemson seems to have new-life after the Syracuse loss and really came back with a vengeance against Georgia Tech. NC State was outplayed by an excellent Notre Dame squad, but they are a better team than that and I expect them to give Clemson all they can handle at home. They should have beat the Tigers last year, and this year they might. Take the live home dog.
Pick: NC State +7.5
TRENDS:
- Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Tigers are 5-1-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Tigers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Tigers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games on grass.
- Tigers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 conference games.
- Tigers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Tigers are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games in November.
- Wolfpack are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
- Wolfpack are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Wolfpack are 20-9-1 ATS in their last 30 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Wolfpack are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Wolfpack are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Wolfpack are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.
- Under is 5-0 in Tigers last 5 games overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 5-0 in Tigers last 5 games on grass.
- Under is 5-0 in Tigers last 5 conference games.
- Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games in November.
- Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 6-2 in Tigers last 8 road games.
- Over is 8-3 in Tigers last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 5-2 in Tigers last 7 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 5-0 in Wolfpack last 5 games overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Wolfpack last 4 games in November.
- Under is 4-0 in Wolfpack last 4 games on grass.
- Under is 4-0 in Wolfpack last 4 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
- Under is 10-1 in Wolfpack last 11 conference games.
- Over is 5-1 in Wolfpack last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 5-1 in Wolfpack last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-1 in Wolfpack last 5 games following a straight up loss.
- Under is 4-1 in Wolfpack last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Under is 19-6-2 in Wolfpack last 27 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 5-2 in Wolfpack last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 14-6-1 in Wolfpack last 21 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 18-8 in Wolfpack last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Road team is 13-4 ATS in their last 17 meetings.
- Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings in NC State.
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
- Tigers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
