Alabama Clemson Predictions
The SEC’s Alabama Crimson Tide take the field against the ACC’s Clemson Tigers on Saturday, August 30th at 8:00 EST. Both teams come in nationally ranked with the Tide sneaking into the top 25 at 24th and the Tigers in the top ten at 9th. JustBet Sportsbook has listed Clemson as the 4.5-point favorite for this contest. Jimmy Boyd further analyzes the college football odds for both sides in this Alabama/Clemson betting preview.
We all have to assume that this will be just another Clemson team that does not live up to the hype until it can prove otherwise. In head coach Tommy Bowden’s nine season’s on the sidelines, his Tigers have consistently found themselves in second-tier bowls despite having impressive talent. But this Clemson team is the favorite to win the ACC for the first time in Bowden’s tenure, and that means he better deliver. They will not have to wait to get their first major test as Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide comes rushing in.
The Tigers return seven offensive starters from a unit which led the ACC in scoring, and featured the top three vote getters for ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Those players were QB Cullen Harper and tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller. This season, the talented running back duo will be running behind an offensive line which must replace four starters, but that has not decreased expectations. Harper led the ACC in passing efficiency a season ago and set 22-school records. He threw 27 touchdown strikes against just six interceptions. This season, you’ll be seeing him hook up with wide receiver Aaron Kelly, highly regarded as the class of ACC wideouts, often.
Clemson’s defense also appears to be one of the best in the conference. The Tigers ranked in the top ten nationally in scoring defense and total defense, and now they add highly touted freshman defensive end Da’Quan Bowers. Clemson is ranked in the top ten nationally for the first time since 1991. A loss to start the year would only give fans the inkling that another underachieving season looms. Bet the Clemson Tigers at -4.5 at The Pig Sportsbook.
The Tigers have said that they didn’t want to open up with a cupcake, they will likely retract those words if Saban’s Tide are able to steamroll them. Alabama finished 7-6 in Nick Saban’s first year as head man and expectations have already grown following another top rated recruiting class. Alabama did not lose by more than a touchdown in any of its six losses a season ago and that speaks volumes about Saban’s defense.
Two of those star recruits are wide receivers Julio Jones and B.J. Scott, who are expected to make an immediate impact. QB John Parker Wilson has already sung his praises about them. Tailbacks Terry Grant and Glen Coffee figure to be a formidable one-two punch in the backfield.
While only five starters return on defense, one of those players is All-SEC standout Rashad Johnson, who led the deep conference with six picks last season. The Tide also lead the all-time series with Clemson 11-3. If you think Alabama has what it takes to pull off the upset, bet the Tide at +4.5 at Bookmaker Sportsbook.
