Clemson Football: Thoughts on early spread/total for Tigers vs. Vols

Early reports after the Orange Bowl matchup between Clemson football and the Tennessee Volunteers was announced that the Tigers were installed as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 64.5 points.

I checked at WynnBet yesterday morning, and the number had dropped to 4.0; later it moved to Clemson -6.0 with a total of 63.0 and as of this morning it was Clemson -7.0 with a total of 64.0.

The latest number implies a score of 35.5 to 28.5 in Clemson’s favor.

I had expected some wonkiness as yesterday was international enter the transfer portal day as players announced they were either in the portal or intended to be, with a few even finding landing spots on the day they were allowed to enter the portal.  Funny how that happens.

The portal entries make it difficult to know how to bet on a game like Clemson and Tennessee, but that’s just the beginning as the inevitable opt-outs for bowl games are sure to be coming soon.

Sure, Tennessee without Hendon Hooker is one thing, but Tennessee without Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt would be something else.  To be fair, I haven’t heard anything about Hyatt skipping the game, but as a draft-eligible junior expected to be a first-round pick, he would seem to be a logical choice and perhaps not the only one to make such a decision.

All this chaos makes it difficult to bet these games early as you may normally do during the regular season.

Adding to the intrigue of Clemson football vs. Tennessee is Cade Klubnik’s first collegiate start

Add in that Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik will be making his first collegiate start, where a defense has a chance to spend 100% of their time preparing for him and it’s really difficult to get a read on which way to lean early.

Fortunately, the game isn’t this week.  Or next week. Or the week after that.

A lot of this will be become more clear as time goes on, the portal settles (maybe) and the opt-outs announce their intentions.

Until then, I’d be really careful about making a decision on which way to go, on this or any other bowl bet, except maybe the College Football Playoff.