Clemson (4-0, 2-0) at Virginia Tech (4-0, 0-0)
When: Saturday, September 30th 2017
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Clemson -7/50.5
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The second-ranked Clemson Tigers put their school-record 11-game road winning streak on the line when they visit the No. 12 Virginia Tech Hokies in an ACC showdown between unbeaten teams. Clemson already has beaten two ranked opponents, holding off Auburn in a defensive struggle and routing Louisville on the road. The Tigers are coming off a 34-7 win over Boston College after a close game through three quarters – probably a letdown game. The Hokies survived a tough test in a 31-24 win over West Virginia to open the season but have coasted past inferior competition over the last three weeks and will be playing their conference opener. Clemson has won four straight in the series after Virginia Tech reeled-off five in a row.
The Tigers may have lost the dynamic Deshaun Watson to the NFL, but the defense is helping cope with the loss by ranking third nationally in total defense (227 yards per game) and scoring defense (9.2 points) despite a tough early schedule that included last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson (Louisville). The offense has actually been pretty solid, considering all Clemson lost at the skill positions. Quarterback Kelly Bryant has been great, passing for 873 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 268 yards and seven scores, and freshman running back Travis Etienne (292 yards, four TDs) averages 12.7 yards per carry. Clemson has won 38 straight contests and is 42-1 under Dabo Swinney when rushing for at least 200 yards.
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The Hokies have long been known for their solid defense and special-teams work, but they’re putting up huge offensive numbers so far this season behind a redshirt freshman quarterback. Josh Jackson is completing 65.2% of his passes for 1,127 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception, albeit against weak opponents. Jackson has a great target in receiver Cam Phillips, who has recorded 34 receptions for 523 yards and five touchdowns through four games. With the weak schedule so far, Virginia Tech is ranked sixth in the nation in points allowed (10.2). Kicker Joey Slye needs 12 points to surpass Shayne Graham (371 points) as the program’s all-time leading scorer.
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I really wish Virginia Tech had played some better competition so that I can gauge them better. They look like a solid team all-around, but this Clemson team could be even better than last year’s national title squad. The Hokies have had great success against top opponents in Blacksburg, so I’m going to take the points in this one, thinking the defense can keep it close.
Pick: Virginia Tech +7.5
TRENDS:
- Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Tigers are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
- Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
- Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Tigers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Tigers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
- Hokies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Hokies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Hokies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Hokies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Hokies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
- Hokies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
- Hokies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
- Hokies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Hokies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Hokies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Hokies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Hokies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Hokies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 6-0 in Tigers last 6 road games.
- Over is 5-0 in Tigers last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 6-1 in Tigers last 7 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Over is 5-1 in Tigers last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 10-2 in Tigers last 12 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 8-2 in Tigers last 10 games in September.
- Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 conference games.
- Over is 7-2 in Tigers last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 7-3 in Tigers last 10 games overall.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Hokies last 4 home games.
- Over is 4-1 in Hokies last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Hokies last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Hokies last 5 games overall.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Hokies last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 6-2 in Hokies last 8 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 9-3-1 in Hokies last 13 games in September.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Hokies last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Hokies last 5 games on grass.
- Over is 8-3 in Hokies last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Under is 9-4 in Hokies last 13 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 18-8 in Hokies last 26 conference games.
- Underdog is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Home team is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
