Clemson Football: Orange Bowl final odds, best bet

After four weeks without Clemson football, we get one final chance to watch the Tigers Friday night in Miami Gardens against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Orange Bowl.

From a betting perspective, the Tigers are favored by 6 points with the total at 63.5 points, implying a 34.75 to 28.75 Clemson win.

However, it seems like “everyone” is picking Tennessee to win outright, including Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports, the CBS Sportsline model and ESPN’s model are all predicting the Volunteers to win the game.

I get it, but I also sense that they are expecting the regular-season version of the Volunteers with Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt, among others and that ain’t happening.

On the flip side, the Tigers are missing some pieces, too, namely Myles Murphy and Trenton Simpson on the defensive side.

My personal feeling is the switch to Cade Klubnik at quarterback will be a net gain for Clemson.  I’m not naïve enough to predict a perfectly linear ascent for Klubnik, but there will be less mistakes with him at the helm, more options for Klubnik to use his feet and an element of energy and enthusiasm that’s been missing.

Meanwhile, Tennessee will be without one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and probably the best receiver.

While neither team has the QB that played the majority of the season, Clemson football  is in a better spot with Cade Klubnik

Net gain Clemson.

Five and a half points is still a bit much to lay with this Clemson team, that’s not as deep at wide receiver and a little thinner on the defensive side of the ball.

Klubnik will grow into a leader for this Clemson team, but there will be bumps in the road in his first start and I find it difficult to believe the Tigers will reach the 35 implied by the spread and total.

Best Bet: Under 63.5

When you pick the under there’s always the risk that defensive and special teams scores will ruin an otherwise “sure thing” and I acknowledge that up front.

Bowl games are also often weird, more like a first game of the season due to the long layoff.

The odds of that happening in this game are not 0, but they’re smaller with Klubnik at quarterback and while both teams will score, I think 9 touchdowns and a hook is too much to ask for these offenses.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change