How Clemson plays versus North Carolina will shape the Tigers' season more than you will think. A home win over the Tar Heels will do wonders for this growing team's confidence, as they usher in a new starting quarterback. Tait Reynolds will be making his first career start versus a Bill Belichick defense, coordinated by his youngest son, Brian. The Tar Heels look much improved over last year.
If Clemson wins, it could be the first step into a brilliant new era under center with Reynolds. However, a loss to the Tar Heels could put Swinney even more up against it. His buyout is massive, which is why even with a loss, moving on from him could be quite difficult. Regardless, Clemson and North Carolina both really want this game. Frankly, it may say more about the loser than it does the winner in all this.
With the game rapidly approaching, here are the lastest betting odds, how to watch, and a prediction.
Latest betting odds for Clemson Tigers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
FanDuel Sportsbook has Clemson laying 3.5 points against visiting North Carolina. The betting line initially opened at Clemson -5.5, but it has gone more in UNC's direction in the wake of the Tigers making the quarterback switch. The moneylines for this game are Clemson -164 and UNC +138. You need to bet $164 on Clemson to win $100, while you would pocket $138 if you were to place a $100 bet on UNC.
The projected point total for this game comes in at a combined 44.5 points. If we were to use the point spread as the line of demarcation in all this, we could be looking at a final score somewhere in the vicinity of Clemson 24, North Carolina 20.5. With the home team usually being favored by something close to a field goal, this one should be evenly matched, with Clemson as a slight favorite.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
How to watch Clemson Tigers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Here is what you need to know to watch Clemson take on North Carolina during their ACC opener.
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Clemson, SC
- Venue: Memorial Stadium
- TV Info: ESPN/Disney+
- Streaming Info: fuboTV
- Radio: 105.5 FM (The Roar)/Clemson Athletic Network
Kickoff from Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC, will be at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 19. ESPN and Disney+ will carry the game. You can also stream it on fuboTV. If you want to listen along to the game over the radio, you can tune in to 105.5 FM The Road or on the Clemson Athletic Network.
Clemson Tigers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels game prediction
This game will be a nail-biter in every sense of the word. Whoever comes out on top will get a big first win in ACC play, allowing the victor to control its destiny of getting to a bowl game, maybe even a little bit more beyond that. Much will be made about the quarterback battle between Reynolds and Billy Edwards Jr., but it will be more about defense and special teams. Clemson is slightly better at both.
As long as Tom Allen's defense continues to improve, that could be enough to knock North Carolina off. Given the fact that Edwards loves to throw the deep ball, it will be up to Ashton Hampton and company in the defensive backfield to make him pay for his gunslinger mentality. In the end, it will come down to Nolan Hauser's leg. He will be the one to make the game-winning kick for Clemson.
Look for this to be a nice building block of a win for Clemson, as the Tigers try to figure things out.
Week 3 final score prediction: Clemson 24, North Carolina 23.
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