Clemson Football: Tigers vs. Gamecocks – Final odds, best bet

Well, here we are with the final game of the regular season for Clemson football and the last game in Death Valley for the seniors and those players who have an option and decide not to return for next season.

A group I might add, that has never lost in Memorial Stadium.

It’s not just any game though, it’s South Carolina, Clemson’s arch-rival, one that the Tigers have owned recently and over the long term, but one that owned a shorter streak in the series just a few short years ago.

The Gamecocks are coming off a serious thrashing of Tennessee, a team that was thought to be a playoff contender, last week in Williams-Brice Stadium by a score of 63-38.

Meanwhile, Clemson was thrashing Miami, 40-10 in that same Death Valley, recording win number 39 in a row at their home venue.

The Tigers still have an outside shot at making the playoff, though a semi-wet blanket was thrown on that notion Tuesday evening when the playoff rankings were revealed.

Still, there are paths for the Tigers – IF they win the next two games.  Not just win, but win in style as they have the last two weeks.

The Tigers are 14.5-point favorites with an over/under set at 52, implying a 33-19ish for the Tigers.

I think that’s about right, with maybe a few less points on either side as the Tigers are wont to end drives with fumbles and the Gamecocks are likely to resemble the offense of the first ten games versus the one of last week.

This pick might be different if the spread was 14, but that hook is hanging out there for a reason.

We always have to acknowledge the elephant in the room when picking a Clemson football under

As I’ve mentioned about 6 billion times on these pages, the potential flaw in my argument is the propensity for D.J. Uiagalelei to turn the ball over in a manner that leads to long returns, either with a fumble or interception.

An opponent defensive touchdown is a real concern when taking a Clemson under.

His running style is such that at the same time he is powerful and has bad ball security, which is a heck of a combination.  He’s difficult to tackle, but that gives the defense more of an opportunity to strip the ball.  It’s really weird.

Best Bet: Under 1st Quarter under 10.5

My best bet is the first quarter under 10.5.  I expect a slower start on both ends and this total protects you by allowing an early touchdown and field goal, with the benefit of a hook.

This also alleviates the concern about a garbage time touchdown that has bitten me more than once on Clemson this season and protects against the second-half “fumbleitis” that the Tigers experienced last week.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change