Syracuse at Clemson
Time: 2:30 PM (CT), ABC/ESPN2
Spread: CLEM -26.5
Total: 68

Betting odds c/o 5dimes

The Clemson Tigers moved up to the No. 2 spot in the rankings after Michigan narrowly beat lowly Michigan State. Now the Tigers will host Syracuse in a game that should not be close, either. Clemson is 26.5 point favorites in a contest that will air at 2:30 (CT) on ABC and ESPN2. The over/under is set at 68 for the game.

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Clemson last week was able to defeat then-No. 12 Florida State 37-34. The Seminoles have had a tough time this season, but it was Clemson’s first big noteworthy victory since defeating Louisville in Week 5. The rest of the schedule features cream puffs, too, so this should be an undefeated regular season for the 8-0 Tigers.

It is fitting, because this is a team with precious few weaknesses. The Tigers rank No. 26 in scoring with 36.6 points per game while its defense holds opponents to just 17.6 per game, ranking No. 12 in the nation. The Tigers have good offensive balance too, with do-it-all QB Deshaun Watson having a fine Heisman contending season. The Tigers are No. 17 in the nation in passing yards per game at 314.0, while still ranking a respectable No. 75 in rush yardage at 164.9 per contest.

Watson, of course, has been the biggest factor in the offensive dominance. The junior QB has thrown for 2,328 yards with a 63.5 percent completion ratio, while also rushing for 331 yards on 88 attempts. His 3.8 yards per carry rank below the team rushing average (4.5 yards per), but he has a TD and is quick enough to really keep defenses guessing. Wayne Gallman is the top option carrying the ball, as he has 571 yards on 110 carries and seven of the Tigers’ 11 rushing TDs.

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Mike Williams has been Watson’s top receiver with 648 receiving yards on 46 catches and four TDs. Deon Cain leads the team in receiving TDs with six, and the sophomore wide receiver has improved from a strong freshman campaign that saw him catch 582 yards on 34 catches with five TDs. The Tigers are so strong offensvely, and have so many ways to get in the end zone. Cain could be a star next season.

Syracuse is 4-4 with a 2-2 mark in ACC play. They have won two-straight over Virginia Tech and Boston College, but have not fared exceptionally well with a pretty soft schedule. In its only matchup against an AP ranked opponent, it was dominated 62-28 by then- No. 13 Louisville in Week 2.

The Orange are a very strong passing team, but its rush attack is one of the worst, and its defense is also pretty poor. They will air it out and get the passing yards (averaging 357.1 per game), but with a weak ground game and a defense that allows 31.6 points per game, the potential is there for Clemson to go absolutely bonkers offensively and turn this into a very lopsided blowout. The 26.5 point spread may be conservative given the fact that Syracuse has allowed 50 points to Notre Dame and Louisville went for 62. Clemson is arguably better than Louisville offensively. It just does not bode well for the Orange.

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