Wofford Terriers vs. Clemson Tigers Prediction ATS

Wofford Terriers (5-2 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Clemson Tigers (8-0 SU, 6-2 ATS)
When: Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 – 4:00 PM ET
Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium – Clemson, SC
TV: ACC Network

Point Spread: WOF +47 / CLEM -47 (Intertops)
Total: OFF

Takeaways From Week Nine

The Terriers enter into this game off an overtime win in FCS play against the Chattanooga Mocs, last Saturday. Wofford curated the hosting duties in the affair and managed to come out on top in a 35-34 thriller. A member of the Southern Conference, the Terriers presently sit atop the standings in their respective league. This is also the first time that we will see Wofford in a point spread market this season.

The Tigers come into this game off the heels of a third-straight blowout victory. The Champs’ most recent victim? Boston College. Closing as a 35.5-point favorite last Saturday when it hosted the Eagles at home, the Tigers were all over BC when it routed the Eagles 59-7. Clemson has now also successfully covered in its last three games. The last time the Tigers failed to cover was when it endured a scare on the road against North Carolina, where a failed two-point conversion allowed Clemson to escape unscathed and keep their pristine undefeated record intact.

How the Public is Betting The Wofford-Clemson Game

Presently an incredulous 86% of the consensus like the Tigers laying the hefty points. Despite this, the market has yet to materialize any movements in point spread markets at the time this article was written (Tuesday morning).

More Picks: Georgia at Florida Week 10 Pick

The Historicals

These two teams have met on three occasions dating back to 2001 and no surprise, the Tigers won all three meetings. In the last contest between these two sides in 2015, Clemson defeated Wofford 49-10 to cover as a 34-point favorite. Overall, Wofford is 1-1 ATS against Clemson over this span.

Injury Concerns

Both teams head into this game with no key injuries to report.

Betting Trends

In the build-up to this game, two trends will steer action in the direction of Clemson. First off, the Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. Second, Clemson is 4-0 ATS in their previous four stints against a team with a winning record.

Why We Like The Terriers To Cover

If I may use an analogy, this game seems more like a wrestling match then a football game. Wofford appears to be the “jobber” ready to be served up to the champs, Clemson. However, little is known about the Terriers other than an inference made that they are a local FCS team that scheduled this game to get paid to take a loss. However, Wofford is actually quite a good football team. In the present FCS Coaches Poll, the Terriers are ranked 20th in the country and are presently riding a five-game winning streak. While I am sure that Wofford is not expecting to win this game, I do not suspect that they envision themselves being trampled either. This plays into our hands as there is little doubt that the Tigers are laying an inflated number by virtue of the fact there is a premium in getting behind the reigning and defending national champions in any game they play. Moreover, the heavy public lean on the Tigers at this hyperbolic number would suggest that an overlay is also materializing. In such circumstances, the prudent move is to take the likely inflated points.

Keith’s Pick to Cover the Spread: Wofford +47

The Terriers also offer tremendous back-door potential. After all, Clemson can get up 56-3 on Wofford hypothetically, and a late junk-time touchdown brings the Terriers in. I do not suspect that Dabo Swinney will be leaving his regulars out for any longer than he needs to as Clemson has a tough road test on the horizon against NC State in their “Textile Bowl” rivalry game next Saturday. Needless to say, as a result of this, the entire Clemson roster should see action against Wofford on Saturday.

Moreover, a venue such as this allows a team like Wofford to get game experience against the best in the land and take it back to the FCS with them. This game is more akin to a scrimmage, but that is why the point spread is so extortionate. Nevertheless, Wofford will generate a couple of scores throughout the game and come in well under this exaggerated number. Take the Terriers with the points.