Clemson Football: The picks are in! Staff picks for week 5

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.

The staff struggled to a 1-5 record last week and everyone picked Clemson to beat and cover against Wake Forest and while the Tigers won in double overtime on the field, they did not cover the 7.5 point spread.

That’s OK by us, we’ll take the W for the Tigers.

The points race looks like this:

Houston  (-118.18)
Marty (-127.27)

Chancey (-311.05)
Beef (-318.18)

Yes, those are all negative signs in front of our names.

Without further ado, here are the picks for week 5.

Houston Burnett (4-4, 3-4 ATS)

The weather makes this game a huge advantage for Clemson if they play their cards right. Turnovers and special teams have greatly aided the Wolfpack in their first 4 games. They were outgained by ECU but a block punt TD and a Missed FG allowed a win. Texas Tech also outgained State in Raleigh, but 2 Turnovers, including a pick six, got the pack over the top. NC State is also still working out the kinks on their offensive line as well. If Clemson can make State one dimensional in the rain, and limit any turnovers, Clemson can control this game.

Houston’s wild card pick is Kansas +3 as they host Iowa State.

Casey “The Beef” Cregan (3-5, 2-5 ATS)

It’s gonna rain and be windy.  Therefore, I would be surprised if DJ matches his performance from a week ago through the air, however, his legs are the difference in this one.  Unlike our friend John Chancey, I believe the DBs will bounce back, and hopefully get a little healthier.  Devin Leary is a load, as are their RBs and WRs.  And that’s not to mention their defense.  I believe Dabo won’t allow his team to lose to that bum from Raleigh again.

Casey’s wild card pick is Texas A&M +3.5 at Mississippi State since he was forced to take someone other than Rutgers.

John Chancey (3-5,  2-5 ATS)

I’m still stunned that the offense played so well in Winston-Salem, and equally flummoxed that the defense played so bad. I wish I could say that I was confident that the DBs will bounce back and the D-line will ‘assemble’. On the other hand, the weather could be an equalizer Saturday. I think the score will be lower than last weekend. I like Clemson, but it will be relatively close.

John’s wild card pick is Rutgers +40.5 at Ohio State.

Marty Coleman (4-4, 3-4 ATS)

I’d love to take the Tigers against the spread this week, but with the back end of the defense in the state it’s in, that’s a tough ask.  I’m expecting a close game that could go either way.  That said, close games in Death Valley typically go Clemson’s way and if last week showed us anything, it’s that this team will find a way to win.

Marty’s wild card pick is South Alabama -6 over Louisiana.

So, there you have it, all four predict a Clemson football victory and three of four pick Clemson to cover the spread against North Carolina State.