The No. 16 North Carolina State Wolfpack (+16) are paying a visit to their ACC nemesis No. 3 Clemson Tigers (-16) at Memorial Stadium. Interested parties are able to catch the action live on ESPN and this key daytime game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET.
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Clemson Tigers Betting Preview
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast matchup, Clemson is labeled as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 16 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently need to spend $1,000 to win $100 back on the Tigers (-1000). The Wolfpack are getting +625 moneyline odds. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 54.5 points. On the surface it appears that there should be multiple good live betting opportunities in this game.
This opening line was originally -17 and the O/U was initially set at 53.5, so sharp bettors have been siding with both the Wolfpack and the over.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Wolfpack have gained 4.0 units while the Tigers are up 2.0 units.
The Wolfpack have gone 5-0 straight up (SU), including 2-0 SU against ACC opponents. The Tigers are 6-0 SU overall and 3-0 SU in conference play.
The Pack are hoping to stay unbeaten after a 28-23 win over Boston College on October 6Their defense allowed the Eagles to run for 120 yards on 25 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Ben Glines had a good day for the Eagles in that one with 90 rushing yards and a score on 16 attempts. On the offense, Ryan Finley completed 25-of-34 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Reggie Gallaspy (104 rushing yards on 25 attempts, two TDs) and Ricky Person (92 yards on 17 carries) provided the running attack while Jakobi Meyers (10 receptions, 99 yards, one TD) and Kelvin Harmon (nine catches, 128 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
The Clemson Tigers just earned a blowout 63-3 win over Wake Forest. The team’s defense allowed the Demon Deacons to rush for 175 yards on 51 attempts. Kendall Hinton had a good showing in the loss for Wake Forest, recording 92 rushing yards on 11 attempts. For Clemson, Trevor Lawrence completed 20-of-25 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Lyn-J Dixon (163 rushing yards on 10 attempts, two TDs) and Adam Choice (128 yards on 10 carries, one TD) handled the running game as Justyn Ross (five receptions, 74 yards, one TD) and Tee Higgins (five catches, 55 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the win.
North Carolina State has run the ball on 50.0 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 58.2 percent across possessions in conference play. Clemson has an overall run percentage of 57.1 percent, and has rushed the ball 59.2 percent of the time against ACC opponents. The Wolfpack have produced 145 rush yards/game (including 201 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have nine touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tigers are totaling 281 rush yards per game (337 in conference) and have 19 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then the Tigers ought to hold an edge when it comes to RB efficiency, as their running backs has generated 7.0 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 2.5 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Wolfpack have ran for 3.9 yards per carry while allowing 3.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Pack offense has averaged a ridiculous 335 yards in the air overall (283 per game against conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Tigers have produced 250 pass yards per outing (211.7 in the ACC) and have 14 total pass scores.
Defensively, North Carolina State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 107 yards and throw for 234 yards per game. The Clemson defense has given up 152.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 108.3 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Pack have given up an ANY/A of 5.69 to opposing QBs, while the Tigers are allowing an ANY/A of 5.29.
Offensively, Finley has already amassed 1,364 passing yards this year. He’s completed 70 percent of his 155 attempts with seven passing scores and three interceptions. Finley has an 8.66 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.71 over the last two outings.
For the home team, Trevor Lawrence has completed 59-of-85 passes for 775 yards, 11 TDs and two INTs. Lawrence’s ANY/A stands at 10.25 for the year and 6.45 over his past two outings.
When these two teams faced each other last year, Clemson won by a touchdown 38-31.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Clemson Tigers
SU Winner – Clemson, ATS Winner – Clemson, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The O/U for North Carolina State’s last game going into it was 60. The under cashed in the team’s 28-23 win over Boston College.
North Carolina State has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.4 over its last two.
Clemson has averaged 7.8 yards per carry over its last three games and 8.2 over its past two.
Both teams have lost four fumbles this year.
Over its last three matches, North Carolina State is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Clemson’s previous match going into it was 61. The over cashed in that 63-3 victory over Wake Forest.
Over its last three games, Clemson is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Wolfpack offense has created two pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Tigers have put up 10 such plays.
Both defenses have allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more. The North Carolina State defense has given up eight pass plays of 30+ yards while Clemson has given up five such plays.
The North Carolina State offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Clemson has created 19 such runs.
The Wolfpack defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Tigers have given up eight such runs.
The Clemson D has sacked opposing QBs 20 times this season. North Carolina State has recorded just 13 sacks.
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