On balance Paul Johnson has had a decent run as head coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. But since peaking with an 11-3 record and Orange Bowl championship in 2014 the program has deteriorated and is no longer a serious Atlantic Coast Conference title contender. Since that ACC Coastal Division championship season Johnson’s teams have gone 3-9, 9-4, and 5-6 last year. So far, the Ramblin’ Wreck has stumbled out of the gate at 1-2 and the already fickle Yellow Jacket fans are out of patience. Things won’t get easier on Saturday when the Yellow Jackets host the second ranked Clemson Tigers in a critical week four game.
This matchup in Week 4 will take place on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. ABC
is providing the telecast of this ACC game.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Clemson Tigers -16
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +16
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Odds Analysis
The big price on Clemson is no surprise. The Tigers are a bona fide national championship contender with plenty of credibility after three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff and a current national ranking of second. Additionally, the myth of the Georgia Tech option offense being a unique advantage has not proven valid in recent years.
Recent Form
Georgia Tech is 1-2 straight up and 0-3 against the spread with two of their three games going under the total. The Ramblin’ Wreck is coming off a 49-38 loss at South Florida which was followed last week by a 24-19 loss at Pitt.
Clemson is 3-0 straight up but is also 0-3 against the spread as the public has bet down much of their value. The Tigers are coming off a 38-7 home payout over Georgia Southern as 31.5-point chalks. It was the second time this season that Clemson went under the total.
Metrics
Clemson ranks 20th in the nation for total offense and 16th nationally for total defense. Georgia Tech ranks 20th in the nation for total offense including first for rushing offense. That is offset by a defense that ranks 71st for points allowed.
Players to Watch
Clemson has gotten good quarterbacking from both senior Kelly Bryant and freshman phenom Trevor Lawrence. Bryant has a 156-quarterback rating while Lawrence is at 181.2 with five touchdowns and one interception. Sophomore running back Travis Etienne has powered to 7.7 yards per carry with four touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Tee Higgins is averaging 21.1 yards per catch with a TD.
For Georgia Tech senior quarterback TaQuon Marshall has run the option with great prowess. He leads the Yellow Jackets with 293 yards to go with 5.9 yards per carry with four touchdowns. Freshman running back Jordan Mason is averaging 8.1 yards per carry with one TD.
Top Trends
Clemson has been an overlay as a double-digit road favorite as evidenced by the fact that they have failed to cover four of their last five in that role. Additionally, 10 of their last 13 as double-digit road chalks went over the total. However, Georgia Tech has been hopelessly bad as a double-digit home dog with just one payout in their last six with that role. Four of their last five in that situation also went under the total.
Head to Head
Clemson has dominated their series with Georgia Tech. In fact, the Yellow Jackets have covered just two of their last eight meetings with the Tigers. Three of the last four games between these teams went over the total. At Bobby Dodd Stadium the Tigers have paid in six of their last nine visits with just one of the last seven games in this series at Georgia Tech going over the total.
Free ATS Pick
Clemson is way overdue to get the money and should be in a good spot here against an overmatched and slumping Georgia Tech team.
College Football Odds: Clemson 35, Georgia Tech 17
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