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Wake Forest v. Clemson Football Betting Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd on October 6, 2008

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons host the Clemson Tigers this Thursday night on ESPN in an ACC battle between Atlantic division title contenders. The Demon Decons are 2.5-point home favorites for this contest. Jimmy Boyd take a look at both sides of this matchup to help you gain a better understanding of each team in terms of the line.

Wake Forest will have the advantage of extra rest and preparation as it will be 12 days between their last game and this Thursday night matchup.

One major key figures to be Wake’s running game. The Deacs led the ACC in rushing four times from 2001-2005, but are averaging less than 85 yards a game on the ground this season. To put things in further perspective, that’s a drop off of nearly 65 yards per game from last season and a 112-yard decline from 2005. Tailback Josh Adams averaged more than twice as many yards per game last season as he is this season. I think that tells us something about the offensive line, which had to replace four starters from last year. Wake is going to need to find its running attack this week if it wants to stay unbeaten in conference play.

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The offensive line is hindering the passing attack also, allowing 10 sacks through four games. However, Wake is producing a league-high 243.5 yards a game passing behind QB Riley Skinner.

Despite an upset loss to Navy, the Seacons still lead the ACC Atlantic division and can go a long ways toward winning it with a win over preseason favorite Clemson this week. If you like the Demon Deacons to remain unbeaten in conference play, bet Wake Forest at -2.5 at Sportsbook.com

As I already mentioned, the Tigers entered the season as the favorite to win the Atlantic Division title and also the entire ACC championship. But an early loss to Maryland has already made things a hole lot tougher. That means this game is more or less a must-win for the Tigers.

Inlike Wake Forest, the Tigers have had some success running the football. Clemson rushed for 221 yards in last week’s loss to Maryland and usually are on the winning end of things when they get over 200 yards on the turf.

Running back James Davis is doing most of the damage. He leads Clemson in rushing with 375 yards and has moved to within 461 yards of Raymond Priester’s school record. He is doing this while averaging better than 6 yards per rush.

QB Cullen Harper has struggled due to a sore shoulder. He has only thrown three touchdown passes in five games which is off the pace that saw him throw 27 a season ago.

C.J. Spiller could be the difference maker for the Tigers in this one. He has 304 rushing yards and another 111 receiving yards this season. He’s also an explosive kick returner and has already brought one back to the house this season.

Defensively, Clemson needs to be better on third down as they are allowing over a 40% conversion rate (tenth in the league). Defensive end Da’Quan Bowers made start to change that. The true frosh has moved into the starting lineup and already has a sack and a tackle for loss. He also has a team high eight QB pressures. His ability to pressure the QB on third down will be vital to Clemson improving defensively. If you think the Tigers can pick up a win on the road and stay in the ACC title hunt, bet Clemson at Sportsbook.com.

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