Clemson at Georgia Tech

As I covered in my college football prop bet of the year, I think Clemson is going to struggle this season. The Tigers open ACC play with a game at Georgia Tech and I see them losing this one by a TD or more. Last season when Paul Johnson took the helm at Georgia Tech everyone laughed at him. They wondered out loud how he could operate the option offense in the ACC, as he had successfully at Navy. Well he is the one laughing now as he took inherited players (not recruited to run the option), and ran for 282.3 ypg with a 5.7 ypc average. Now he has the system firmly entrenched. But guess what? Johnson is no dummy and realizes teams will catch up to his offense. So he will be putting the ball in the air more and that just makes the nine returnees on offense more potent. Nesbit is a good strong armed QB that didn't need to throw last year, but when he did it was for 15 yards per completion. Clemson had to be the most overrated and underachieving team from a year ago as their QB and two running backs finished 1, 2 and 3 in the preseason player of the year voting in the ACC. Despite that, Clemson's offense was bad, posting five games with 250 yards or less of offense. The problem was on the offensive line, proving how crucial the line is at this level. Although all but one return, questions remain. They will be breaking in a new QB and Spiller will be the lone experienced back, so this offense should take time to gel. The defense has carried this team, but Vic Koenning didn't see eye-to-eye with new head coach, Dabo Sweeney, and has departed. So a new set of schemes will take time to work their way to a comfort level. That will prove costly, especially on the road vs. a very experienced and versatile offense in Georgia Tech. Think Georgia Tech can score 28 in this one? I think it's highly likely. If you agree, consider that the Yellow Jackets 56-17 ATS over the past two decades when scoring 28+ points. And, Clemson is 11-41 ATS when they allow 28+ points. Also, Georgia Tech is on a 16-5 ATS run in the first two weeks of the season. I like Georgia Tech in this one.