The Clemson Tigers (1-0) welcome the Furman Paladins (1-0) to Clemson Memorial Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Furman at Clemson school odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Clemson is coming into this match after knocking off Georgia Tech 41-10 Labor Day night. The Tigers didn’t look like they were going to cover the 24-point spread for most of the battle but a 17-0 fourth quarter did the trick.
QB DJ Uiagalelei threw for 210 yards and a touchdown. He played well, but this was more about the Tigers’ top-notch defense, which allowed just 164 passing yards and 73 rushing yards.
As for Furman, it will be a heavy underdog despite a 52-0 win against North Greenville in its first game of the season. Starting QB Tyler Huff threw for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns. He completed 10 of 12 pass attempts before giving way to QB Jace Wilson (8-for-9, 77 passing yards) late in the first half.
The Paladins did have 4 players go for at least 49 rushing yards in their season opener. While unlikely, the road side may look to find some traction in their ground game.
Clemson is No. 4 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Furman at Clemson odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:56 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Furman +44.5 (-115) | Clemson -44.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): Off the board
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Furman at Clemson picks and predictions
Prediction
Clemson 59, Furman 10
Money line
PASS.
Even if there’s a money line posted before kickoff, don’t even consider it.
Against the spread
BET CLEMSON -44.5 (-105).
Clemson didn’t look great for most of last week’s game against Georgia Tech, but its defense said it all.
The biggest thing about these programs laced with high-level recruits is that they simply have a huge size difference. Clemson is going to win the middle and dominate the trenches.
That will ultimately help Clemson crush the rushing game and also limit what Furman does, especially since most of its offense came on the ground in its season-opening win.
In the Tigers’ 2 games against non-Power 5 teams last season, they beat South Carolina State by 46 (49-3) and Connecticut by 37 (44-7), the latter of which should be better than Furman.
Clemson should be able to come out on top easily and by a lot in this one.
Over/Under
The total is currently off the board at Tipico Sportsbook, but I would lean OVER on any O/U line UP TO 54.0 POINTS.
Furman did look great in its opener, but again the size in the trenches is what will matter.
With Clemson likely set to play backups for most of the second half if it leads big, expect Furman to generate some offense and be able to get on the board.
Clemson has held its opponent scoreless in just 2 games over the last 5 seasons. Furman should score, and given its Week 1 dominance, it may get on the board more than once.
Given the Clemson defensive strength, it’s just a lean, but I could see the Tigers scoring 54-plus points by themselves.
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