By: Neil Burnett
Clemson at North Carolina
Clemson travels to Chapel Hill to take on the 2-2 North Carolina Tarheels. The Tigers already listed as a 26.5 favorite. Last week against Charlotte, my prediction was 59-10. As everyone knows, the score was 52-10. Not too bad considering Clemson played 111 players out of 113 dressed.
So, let’s bring on the Tarheels. UNC has been in four close ball games. They beat Miami and USC by less than a touchdown, then lost to Wake Forest and Appalachian St by less than a touchdown. UNC has had four tough games, and last heard, they have 9 players that are either playing hurt or out for the Clemson game. This is not a positive for the game this weekend. The UNC offense is led by freshman Sam Howell. The Tarheels are ranked 95th in passing yards (262), 139th in rushing yards (153) and 122nd in total offense (415). Defensively, UNC is ranked 85th (172) in rushing defense, 59th in passing defense (222), and 76th in total defense (414). The statistics for Clemson in the same categories 40th passing offense (277) 21st rushing offense (247) 15th in total offense (524) 24th rushing defense (94) 13th passing defense (152) 7th in total defense (246) Looking at the numbers, from a neutral point of view, Clemson’s numbers certainly do not look like a team ranked #1 in the nation. Numbers can be deceiving. For example, Trevor Lawrence was in on 19 plays in this game. He played 1 play in the 2nd quarter. Clemson was ahead 24-0 at this point and was pulled.
Understand, Charlotte is not a powerhouse. Coach Swinney and staff play a lot of players, every game. This weekend against UNC, Clemson will take 72 players, and will probably play 72 players, depending on what the staff wants to do about Taison Phommachanh. There is a good chance he may redshirt. Simply put, Clemson should cover the spread. UNC is beat up, Clemson starters are very healthy. Clemson has talent up and down the different units from offense to defense. The question for this game is not “Who will win the game” but “How much will Clemson win by.”
Clemson 55 UNC 13
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