Each week this season the RubbingtheRock.com staff will pick the score of the Clemson football game against the spread and we’ll also pick a wild card game in a “friendly” competition.
Everyone picked Clemson to beat Furman, so that was a gimme. Houston Burnett still leads the contest in points, but it’s a little closer than it was last week.
The points race looks like this:
Houston 90.91
Casey -109.09
John -109.09
Marty -109.09
Without further ado, here are the picks for week 3.
Houston Burnett (3-1, 2-1 ATS)
This game will be in the “bend don’t break” category. It’s going to be quick passes to mitigate pressure from the DL and will be a stiff test for the LB’s and CB’s who have had their manhood challenged by Dabo. I expect a response, along with an incremental “put it together” performance for the offense.
Houston’s wild card pick is Louisville +2.5 against Florida State.
Casey “The Beef” Cregan (2-2, 1-2 ATS)
Sonny Cumbie takes over as the Head Man of Louisiana Tech and they’re averaging 38 points per game through 2 games. Many think this is another tune up for Clemson and maybe that is the correct thinking however I expect to get “screened” to death again this weekend until Clemson proves they can stop it. Will Tech have enough to beat Clemson? I don’t think so, however it may be closer than many fans anticipate.
Casey’s wild card pick is Rutgers -17.5 at Temple.
John Chancey (2-2, 1-2 ATS)
Sonny Cumbie knows offense, and I expect he is drooling over the tape the Tiger defense has put out there. I don’t expect the Bulldog offense to be shut down, but I do think Coach Swinney has lit a fire underneath them. On the other side of the ball, Tech’s defense appears to be a work in progress. I think DJ capitalizes on this opportunity to keep his momentum going, and the defense steps up with their first score of the season.
John’s wild card pick is Nevada +23 at Iowa.
Marty Coleman (2-2, 1-2 ATS)
Dabo Swinney called out his defense in his Tuesday presser. When’s the last time that happened? Expect a better effort on Saturday from this group, but I don’t know if that’ll make much difference on the scoreboard. It’s the final tune up prior to it getting real next week in Winston-Salem. Tigers roll.
Marty’s wild card pick is Georgia -24 at South Carolina.
So, there you have it, all four predict an easy Clemson victory, but only John Chancey picks Clemson to cover the spread against Louisiana Tech.