This is a big one. The Louisville Cardinals and the Clemson Tigers are both college playoff contenders this season and the two ACC powerhouses will go head to head in this Week 5 matchup.
The Cardinals have the highest scoring offense in all of college football and will face a super stout defense in the Tigers this week. Clemson is a slight underdog, despite being at home, and the defense will face its biggest test of the season in Lamar Jackson and company.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 5 game is set for Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Louisville -2
Clemson +2
Over/Under 67
Odds Analysis
The betting public has been dazzled by Louisville early in the season, and even though Clemson is the defending national runner-up, the money is coming in on the Cardinals to cover as the road favorite. More than 66 percent of the gamblers are choosing Louisville to beat the spread.
The scoring total is high as both teams have star quarterbacks, and 84 percent of the wagering has taken the “over” early in the week.
Matchup to Watch
Louisville offense vs. Clemson defense -- This is a huge showdown between a pair of heavyweight units. The Cardinals are putting up 63.5 points per game and has scored 59 points or more in every game this season.
Louisville has done it against elite competition, thrashing then-No. 2 Florida State by a score of 63-20 on Sept. 17.
Clemson, though, will give it a huge test. The Tigers have given up seven combined points in the past two games and are only allowing 218.5 yards of total offense on the season. Clemson has nice balance with a good offense as well, but its best chance at winning this game will be slowing down the Louisville stars.
Player to Watch
Jackson -- This is the biggest star in a game full of them. The Louisville quarterback has accumulated nearly 2,000 yards this season for the Cardinals. He’s thrown from 1,455 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions while running for another 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Jackson will be tested this week against Clemson, but his versatility makes him hard to stop. He has thrust himself into the forefront of the Heisman Trophy talk and can cement the leader status with a big game.
Free ATS Pick
Louisville’s smallest margin of victory this season came last week, when it defeated Marshall by 31 points. The Cardinals have run roughshod over everyone and are now right in the national championship mix.
Clemson is facing its first nationally ranked team of the season in Louisville this week and also enters this matchup undefeated at 4-0. The Tigers have a lot of big game experience after a fantastic 2015, and hope quarterback DeShaun Watson leads the way.
He is 90-of-150 for 996 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions on the season but faces a Louisville defense that has been solid. This is a huge game for both sides and will clear up the conference favorite.
Louisville is 3-0-1 against the spread this year, and should keep that rolling. This is a huge test with Clemson clearly among the nation’s best teams.
However, Jackson has been otherworldly and the team has a ton of momentum. This won’t be in the same vein as the thrashing of Florida State, but Louisville should be able to pull out a close win to keep its dream season alive.
Even though the quarterbacks are great and both offenses can hum, don’t discount these defenses. They will do just enough to keep the scoring total in the “under” range.
Buckle up for one of the most anticipated games of the season, one which Jackson and Louisville will emerge victorious from on their way to the College Football Playoff at the end of the year.
College Football Odds: Louisville 35, Clemson 31
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