Clemson Football: The picks are in! Staff picks for Rivalry Week

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.

This is the final week and Houston Burnett leads the points race.

Houston 300.01

John Chancey 194.10

Casey Cregan (-381.81)

Marty Coleman (-381.81)

There’s still a chance for John Chancey to pull it out though, because despite him and Houston being on the same side for the Clemson-South Carolina game, the wild card game could turn the tide.

The spread this week is Clemson -14.5.

Houston Burnett (13-8-1, 12-8-1 ATS)

Slow clap for the Gamecocks. They didn’t just have a game where everything “clicked” on offense, they had a game where everything went perfectly. Every pass, every play call, every route. Perfect. Make them do that again, but this time with some more pressure. Clemson plays its best against SC when there is doubt about their team.

Houston’s wild card pick is Coastal Carolina +13.5.

John Chancey (13-9, 12-9 ATS)

South Carolina followed up their wins against Kentucky & Texas A&M with a loss at home to Missouri. They don’t handle success well.

Chancey’s wild card pick is Louisiana Tech +17.5.

Casey “The Beef” Cregan (10-12, 9-12 ATS)

So you have a sample size of ten games where mediocrity was king. Then you have a sample size of one game where it was an impressive performance. Odds are good the one game was an enigma and not the norm. All that to say Clemson continues the streak.

Beef’s wild card pick is Michigan +7.5.

Marty Coleman (10-12, 9-12 ATS)

As you can readily tell, there’s no need to listen to me, but I’m generally the contrarian here, at least as it applies to Clemson.  My cohorts don’t believe South Carolina can repeat the performance from last week, and while I agree, what are the chances of Clemson playing well for a third consecutive week?  Clemson extends their home winning streak to 40, but the Gamecocks cover. Barely.

Marty’s wild card pick is North Carolina -6.5.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change