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Clemson vs Syracuse Odds and Picks

Chris Wassel

by Chris Wassel in College Football

Updated Oct 13, 2021 · 6:26 AM PDT

Clemson defense sacks QB
Clemson defensive tackle Tre Williams (8) and linebacker Baylon Spector (10) react after sacking Boston College quarterback Dennis Grosel, bottom center, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
  • The Clemson Tigers are 14-point favorites over the Syracuse Orangemen in their NCAA football game on Friday, October 15
  • Clemson are 3-2 on the season and 7-2 all-time against Syracuse; the Tigers defeated the Orange 47-21 in last year’s game
  • See the odds, breakdown, and betting advice below

The Clemson Tigers (3-2) are just trying to still right the ship after splitting their first four games. Meanwhile, Syracuse is just trying to get over .500 on the season. Syracuse is also looking for its first conference win of the 2021 college football season.

Clemson holds a 7-2 record in the series with Syracuse (3-3). Furthermore, Syracuse was blown out by Clemson 47-21 last year.

Still, it’s Clemson that has Syracuse’s number. Even with a 14-point spread on the road, the Tigers are carrying 59% of the betting money. The Tigers are 3-1 straight up all-time at Syracuse.

Clemson vs Syracuse Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Clemson Tigers -600 -14 (-110) O 45 (-110)
Syracuse Orange +435 +14 (-110) U 45 (-110)

Odds as of October 13 at Draftkings

Friday’s game is set for a 7:00 pm ET kickoff at the Carrier Dome. Dome conditions and a temperature of 72 degrees are in the forecast. TSN2 and ESPN are carrying the broadcast. After opening up at 44.5, the total has stayed mostly around 45 for the majority of the week.

Line Dancing

Depending upon the sportsbook, the opening of this line was showing Clemson opening around a two-touchdown favorite. This line danced around 13.5 to 14 points as of press time.

In terms of public betting, 59% of the bets placed against the spread are on the Tigers. The moneyline splits are showing 86% of the bets are on the Tigers. In terms of the total, 83% of the public bets are on the Under.

Tigers and Orange Treading Water?

With a reputation as a once-elite team. Clemson has not looked very good all season. They have stayed close in games but lost to a beatable NC State team and a Georgia squad that was inept often offensively. Clemson could be 5-0 right now.

Even with a pretty good defense, Clemson may have a tough time covering against Syracuse. They have allowed yards in chunks and Syracuse has scored at a clip of 31 points per game.

Syracuse did manage to stay close against an undefeated Wake Forest team. Losing in overtime to some feels like a moral victory but the Orangemen did win another one against the spread. That gives them a mark of 5-1 against the spread on the season.

In scoring defense, Syracuse is #64 overall. They are allowing just 24.0 points per game.

Clemson’s Still Stout Defense

Will the Tigers be able to slow down Syracuse on Friday night? They do allow just 12.2 points per game on the season. Clemson allows just 308.6 yards per game. That 308.6 is a key number. When Syracuse goes over that mark, they are 4-0 against the spread and 2-2 on the moneyline.

The Tigers are among the better teams in rushing defense as they allow just 2.8 yards per carry. Their passing defense is not that bad as they allow 203.8 yards per contest.

Like we mentioned above, Clemson’s defense is still very good, it is the offense that averages just 21.2 points per game that have let the Tigers down.

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagaleiei has not performed anywhere near his early-season Heisman hype with just five touchdowns overall and three turnovers. If it was not for the Tigers’ defense, the Tigers would likely be below .500 at this point.

Trend Spotting

Clemson has won seven of the last eight meetings and blown out Syracuse in consecutive contests. The last game that was close was a 27-23 win by the Tigers in 2018. There is a chance that could happen again.

While the Tigers had been so good against the spread for the last several years, this year has been a disaster. Overall, Clemson is 0-5 against the spread.

The Orangemen could be a good under play here as Clemson has been normally solid against Syracuse defensively. However, it is the worry about the Tigers’ offense that leads to an even better option on Friday night.

Syracuse and Clemson tend to lean toward the under. More importantly, that 5-1 mark by Syracuse ATS could be the more relative statistic here.

  • Pick: Syracuse +14 (-110)
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