ACC Championship Pick
The 2016 ACC Championship features a pair of impressive defensive teams in No. 3 Clemson and No. 23 Virginia Tech. Will the title game feature more defense than offense?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Clemson is the favorite on the road, as the Tigers are getting odds of -10 points against the Tigers. The over/under total is listed at 58 points. These two will meet on Saturday at 8PM ET from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL. These two haven’t met up since 2012, but Clemson has won three straight meetings and the two have hit the under in six of their last seven encounters.
Clemson is the defending ACC champ and looking to defend its title. The Tigers went 11-1 in the regular season, with the lone loss coming at home, 43-42 to Pitt. Clemson is 6-6 with the over/under total, but the Tigers have hit the over in three straight coming in. The reason for the overs lately is the offense, as the Tigers have scored at least 35 points in five straight games and they average 40 points per game on the year. The Tigers also put up 508.7 yards per game. Deshaun Watson is making a Heisman run, as he has thrown for 3,626 yards and 34 touchdowns while rushing for 444 yards and four scores. Wayne Gallman has added 943 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, Clemson is pretty stout as well. The Tigers are giving up just 17 points and 307.9 yards per game. They are especially tough against the pass, giving up just 180.2 yards per game through the air.
Virginia Tech is just 9-3 on the season, but the Hokies managed to make the ACC Championship with a 6-2 conference record. Tech has won five of its last six games and is 7-5 with the over this season. The overs are somewhat surprising when you consider that Tech is allowing just 21.1 points and 332.2 yards per game on defense. Like Clemson, Tech is strong against the pass, allowing just 186.4 yards per game. Offensively, Tech is putting up 34.8 points and 453.4 yards per game. Jerod Evans is a strong dual-threat quarterback option. He has thrown for 3,045 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 713 yards and eight scores. Travon McMillian has added 600 rushing yards and four scores. Isaiah Ford is the leading receiver for Tech with 69 catches for 949 yards and seven touchdowns.
NCAA FB QUICK LINKS: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats | Standings
Both teams have the potential to make big plays, but I think this game will be somewhat of a defensive grind. Clemson has a lot of pressure on it. The Tigers need a win to play in the playoffs while Tech really has nothing to lose. I think the Hokies will find a way to get the game into their style, more of a smash mouth, defensive battle. That should keep the total somewhat low.
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP PICK: VIRGINIA TECH/CLEMSON UNDER 58