The Clemson Tigers look destined to go back to the College Football Playoff. This looks like the overwhelming favorite to win the ACC once again and it has already dispatched of two of its biggest challengers in Louisville and Virginia Tech. Clemson has played one of the toughest schedules in the nation through the first month of the year, but now the schedule will get a little easier. Although they are far from a pushover, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons represent the schedule calming down some and will travel to Death Valley this week.
Watch this regular season Week 6 matchup live on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 12 p.m. ET at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wake Forest +21.5
Clemson -21.5
Odds Analysis
Wake Forest started the season 4-0 and looked sharp early on against Florida State last week, but allowed the Seminoles to pick up a few big plays and were unable to knock off FSU. The Demon Deacons led for a good chunk of the game, and losing this one hurts. A win would have given them a spot in the Top 25 in all likelihood and would have meant that the Demon Deacons were just one win away from a spot in a bowl game.
Whoever designed this schedule set the Tigers up for failure in 2017. Three of Clemson’s first five games were tough ones against tricky opponents. They were less than a touchdown favorite against Auburn, Louisville, and Virginia Tech, but won all three games and covered each one too. Clemson’s performances against Louisville and Virginia Tech were statement games as both came on the road.
Matchup to Watch
The Demon Deacons have a pretty solid defense. They rank 26th overall in the country in terms of total defense and are allowing just 4.5 yards per play. Wake Forest was able to shut down Florida State’s offense last week and that almost led to the school pulling off a big upset. Duke Ejiofor is the key up front for Wake Forest’s defense and Clemson might want to double team him after the success that he had against Florida State’s offensive line.
Unfortunately for Wake Forest, Clemson has a much better offense than Florida State. Kelly Bryant has been efficient in leading this unit and the Tigers have racked up the yards against every one of their opponents. They are averaging 474 yards of offense per game and have torched every defense they have faced with the exception of Auburn.
Coaching Angle
Dabo Swinney has gone from a pseudo punchline to one of the smartest minds in college football over the last few years and it’s largely because he has accepted less money in order to get the best assistants he could find on both sides of the football.
Brent Venables has been a fantastic defensive coordinator for Clemson since coming over from Oklahoma. Venables has made the most of a surge in Clemson’s recruiting and this is one of the best defenses in the nation.
Like all good defenses in college football these days, the key to the unit is the defensive line. Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence are the best defensive tackle tandem in the country and teams are unable to move the ball against them on the ground. Despite playing three elite teams, the Tigers are allowing just 2.6 yards per carry.
Free ATS Pick
You can’t buy the hook for a spread this large, but you can shop around or wait to try to get the best price. Clemson is a much better team and Wake Forest will likely have a letdown after the near miss against Florida State. A big Tigers victory seems in order here.
College Football Odds: Clemson 38, Wake Forest 10
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