The Clemson Tigers have reached a point not seen in nearly a decade: sitting at .500 after a month of the season.
Quite literally, the last time Clemson was even just 2-2 was in 2014, when those losses came at No. 12 Georgia and at No. 1 Florida State (in overtime). The Tigers finished that year 10-3, a tall order this time around.
Fittingly, Clemson faced the Boston College Eagles that October, scraping out a 17-13 win. College football betting lines expect a similar low-scoring affair this weekend, given how much the Tigers’ offense has struggled thus far this year and how much the Eagles’ offense always seems to struggle.
Here are our free college football picks and predictions for Boston College vs. Clemson on October 2, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Boston College vs Clemson odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Despite losing to North Carolina State in double overtime, the Tigers opened as 16-point favorites against the Eagles. Clearly, the world thought that was giving Clemson a bit too much credit, as the line fell to 14.5 by Friday afternoon, having spent most of the week at 15 or 15.5. The total did not move as much, opening at 47.0 and dropping to 46.5 by Monday, where it has remained. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Boston College vs Clemson picks
Picks made on 10/1/2021 at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Boston College vs Clemson game info
• Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
• Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ACC Network
Boston College vs Clemson betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Boston College: Phil Jurkovec QB (Out), Chibueze Onwuka DT (Out).
Clemson: Will Shipley RB (Out), Tyler Davis DT (Out), Bryan Bresee DT (Out), Mason Trotter OL (Questionable), Fred Davis CB (Questionable), John Williams OL (Out), Tayquon Johnson OL (Out), Dietrick Pennington OL (Out).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Boston College is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against Clemson. Find more NCAA betting trends for Boston College vs. Clemson.
Boston College vs Clemson predictions
Boston College +14.5 (-110)
At some point, Clemson either needs to put up or give up. Without star defensive tackle Tyler Davis and promising freshman running back Will Shipley this weekend, the give-up factor may win out.
Shipley had been the lone bright spot for the Tigers offense the last few weeks. In their 14-8 win against Georgia Tech, Shipley scored both touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards on 21 carries. In last week’s loss at North Carolina State, he took 11 rushes for 36 yards and a score, a modest stat line to be sure, but a notable one when realizing Clemson managed just 103 rushing yards on 23 carries.
Without Shipley, the Tigers will have even less of a running game, a worrisome thought for an offense already averaging just 126.3 rushing yards per contest.
That will allow Boston College to key on Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. The Eagles give up only 190.5 passing yards per game, as head coach Jeff Hafley has doubled down on his defensive tenets this season — and junking up the game against the Tigers should yield a Boston College cover.
Frankly, and this is the bare bones of the handicap, Clemson has not scored more than 14 points in regulation against an FBS opponent this season. Expecting the Tigers to cover 14.5 is thus borderline irrational.
Under 46.5 (-110)
The Tigers are averaging 10.3 points per game in regulation against FBS opponents this season. Sure, one of those was Georgia and the Bulldogs’ defense may distort all stats this year, but even if removing that game, Clemson averaged 234 yards in regulation against Georgia Tech and North Carolina State.
Meanwhile, Boston College has turned back to senior quarterback Dennis Grosel, since a hand injury sidelined Phil Jurkovec for the year. Grosel is no world-beater, averaging 7.5 yards per attempt and 144.3 yards per contest in three games in Jurkovec’s stead.
The one thing the Tigers have been able to rely upon this year has been their defense. Clemson is a dynasty falling because its offense no longer has a generational quarterback, not because its defense has become porous. It should feast on Grosel, albeit while its own offense scuffles.
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