NCAA Football
2011-10-29 - Clemson at Georgia Tech
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
American Football : North America : NCAAF
Saturday, October 29th, 2011, 8:00PM US
(1:00AM GMT)
PREVIEW
No way I'm getting off the Clemson bandwagon just yet.
Both teams are capable of putting up a fair number of points, but Clemson are clearly the better team here. The 6th ranked Tigers face Georgia Tech at just the right time too, as the Yellow Jackets have lost their last 2 games. Last week, Georgia Tech were held to just 211 total yards by Miami-Florida, and lost 24-7. As it stands, Clemson are 8-0 and Georgia are 6-2, and on a losing run, which might play a factor here mentally against a rather dangerous opponent.
Clemson's offence is averaging 41 points per game, 12th best in the country, and QB Tajh Boyd is now a proper Heisman Trophy candidate. Last week he threw for 367 yards and 5 TDs, and also ran for 8 yards and 1 TD. His seasons stats read 2,379 passing yards at a 62% completion rate and 24 TDs (tied for most in the country with Kellen Moore of the Boise State Broncos), against just 3 interceptions. He has 14 TDs on the ground too, making him absolutely crucial to this teams success. Last week, Boyd helped his team beat North Carolina 59-38.
Boyd has developed real chemistry with freshman WR Sammy Watkins, who now has 54 catches for 9 TDs, best in the ACC. RB Andre Ellington is giving this team almost 95 yards on the ground per game, making this a very balanced offence. They've hit form at the right time too, scoring 56 or more points in back to back games, a first for the school.
Georgia Tech aren't going to get turned over. Not by a long shot. Clemson do have worries on defence, as they are giving up 25 points per game. The Yellow Jackets QB Tevin Washington will need to buck his ideas up here, and should do better than he did last week, when he was picked 4 times by the Miami defence.
Last year Clemson won this game 27-13 and I rate them better this year. Georgia Tech may be in a bounce back spot, but they're playing offensively superior opposition, who are likely to put up a lot of points. I just don't trust the G.Tech QB to match Boyd here and that means Clemson become the team to back here.
BETTING VERDICT
I fancy Clemson to pull away late and win by at least a TD, if not more. I'll risk it with the extra half point here, as the odds are good.
The Pick :
Clemson
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Clemson -3.5 @ 2.04 (Pinnacle)
