Clemson Tigers at Auburn Tigers
Saturday, 9/18/10, 7:00 PM EDT, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Auburn -6.5
Current Betting Line: Auburn -7
Opening Total: 53.5
Current Total: 54.5
Current Moneyline: Auburn -300/Clemson +250
Clemson comes in with a perfect 2-0 record thanks to playing an early cupcake schedule that included games against North Texas and Presbyterian. The Tigers know they will be up against a much more capable opponent on Saturday night, especially considering they haven’t beaten Auburn since 1951. “I’ve been there many times,” head coach Dabo Swinney said. “It’s hard to go to Auburn and win.” He has been apart of 13 games against Auburn as a player and assistant coach at Alabama from 1990-2001. The two schools have met just twice since 1971 and both meetings took place in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Eight current players competed in the 2007 contest with only one Tiger still on the team starting that game. The Tigers have produced a perfect 2-0 record as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points the last three years and 11-3 against the NCAA football lines in this situation since 1992.
The Tigers main issue coming into the season was replacing NFL draft pick C.J. Spiller, with four running backs having at least 11 carries. Luckily the offense has a familiar signal caller, with quarterback Kyle Parker returning after many thought he’d leave for a career in Major League Baseball. His passing efficiency of 192.2 would be first in the ACC and fifth in the nation if he had enough attempts to qualify. He has completed 15 of 26 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Parker has produced an 11-5 career record as starting quarterback. Defensively, the team has eight sacks on the year and the 4.0 per game average is fifth best in the nation. The total is 9-15 O/U in the Tigers last 24 games versus SEC opponents.
Auburn is set to play its second home game of the season at Jordan-Hare Stadium and face off against a formidable opponent. The Tigers lead the all-time series against Clemson, 33-11-2, winning 13 consecutive games in the series. The game is ESPN Game Day’s on-site game, with the Tigers posting an even 5-5 mark in those contests, including a 3-2 record at home. Auburn has posted a 20-4 record in home night games since the 2000 season, which includes a 4-1 mark against nationally-ranked opponents. The Tigers have played 12 true freshman thus far during the 2010-11 campaign, tied for the fourth-highest total in the nation. The squad is 3-10 ATS after playing a conference game over the past three seasons.
The Tigers have always been prideful on defense and this certainly hasn’t changed under second-year head coach Gene Chizik. Opponents are 0-for-7 on third-down conversions during the fourth quarter this season and the team has held its last six opponents to less than 100 yards rushing dating back to the 2009 season. The defense ranks third in the SEC and 17th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 80 yards per game. Offensively, junior quarterback Cameron Newton has been leading the charge, ranking second in the SEC and 21st nationally in total offense (281.5 yards per game). Auburn is 149-47-5 all-time in the month of September and has won 25 of its last 29 contests during the month.
Bettors will note that Clemson is an even 2-2 ATS against SEC opponents over the last three years, while Auburn brings an even 1-1 ATS mark when being placed as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points over the same span. Maddux is on a 14-3 ATS run with our college football picks. Get this point spread winners including our 20 unit non conference game of the year by visiting the college football spread picks page of the site. A great way to boost your gambling bankroll this season.
