Two schools that like running the football, Head Coach Dave Clawson and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+32) are gearing up to pay a visit to the No. 3 Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. This crucial conference game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET and ABC will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Clemson Tigers
Wake Forest is a heavy road dog here and is currently receiving 32 points from bookmakers. If the Tigers stumble early on it would create a nice live betting scenario. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 62.5 points.
The O/U hasn’t changed after being initially set at 62.5. Having said that, the line opened at -31 so has recently moved down to -32.
The Demon Deacons are 4-4-1 against the spread (ATS) and have recorded 1.8 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under mark of 3-6.
The Tigers have gained 1.0 unit this season. The team is 7-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 5-5.
The perfect Demon Deacons are 7-2 straight up (SU), including 4-2 SU against ACC opponents. The Tigers are 10-0 SU overall and 7-0 SU in conference play.
When these two teams met last year, Clemson knocked Wake Forest off handily 63-3.
The Demon Deacons are hoping to get back in stride after a 36-17 defeat to Virginia Tech last week in which Jamie Newman completed only 16-of-35 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Kendall Hinton (eight receptions, 162 yards) and Sage Surratt (four catches, 53 yards, two TDs) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Clemson is coming off of a 55-10 win over North Carolina State. As a group, the team collectively completed 25-of-36 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Trevor Lawrence went 20-for-27 for 276 yards and three touchdowns while Chase Brice was five-of-nine for 27 yards. Travis Etienne (112 yards on 14 rush attempts, two TDs) and Lyn-J Dixon (50 yards on nine carries) spearheaded the running game as Justyn Ross (four receptions, 75 yards, one TD) and Tee Higgins (four catches, 73 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Each of these teams sports a remarkably similar (54-46) run-pass ratio on the season. The Demon Deacons have rushed for 173.2 yards per game (including 161 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tigers are averaging 269.8 rushing yards per game (274.7 in conference) and have 32 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then the Tigers could have an edge when it comes to RB effectiveness. Their backfield has logged 6.9 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 3.0 to opponents. The Demon Deacons have rushed for 3.9 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.2 to opponents.
The Deacs offensive scheme has averaged 314.1 yards through the air overall (286.8 per game against conference opposition) and has 25 passing TDs so far. The Tigers have put up 276 pass yards per contest (283 against ACC competition) and have 26 total pass scores.
Wake Forest has let opponents rush for an average of 164 yards and pass for 243.8 yards per game. The Clemson D has allowed 137.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 114.3 yards per game on the ground. The Tigers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 2.78 to opponents, while the Demon Deacons have given up a 6.39 ANY/A.
Lawrence likely has the advantage over Newman in this matchup. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 8.60 for the season and 13.84 over his last two outings while Newman’s ANY/A is 7.84 (and 6.31 over the last two outings).
Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Clemson Tigers Free Pick
SU Winner: Clemson, ATS Winner: Wake Forest, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The O/U for Wake Forest’s last game going into it was 60.5. The under cashed in the team’s 36-17 defeat to Virginia Tech.
- Wake Forest has produced 2.6 yards per carry over its past three games and 2.5 over its last two.
- Clemson has averaged 7.9 yards per carry over its last three contests and 8.5 over its last two.
- The Clemson offense has lost four fumbles this season while Wake Forest has let two get away.
- In its last three games, Wake Forest is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Clemson’s previous matchup was set at 54.5. The over cashed in the 55-10 win over North Carolina State.
- Over its last three matchups, Clemson is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Demon Deacons offense has recorded 10 pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Tigers have accounted for eight such plays.
- The Wake Forest defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Clemson has given up five such plays.
- The Wake Forest offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Clemson has created 21 such runs.
- The Demon Deacons defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Tigers have given up eight such runs.
- The Clemson D has created 32 sacks on the year while Wake Forest has just 19.
