In this article, we will formulate a SMU vs Clemson Prediction for this College Football Week 8 game on Saturday, October 18th at the Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC). Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
Clemson Tigers Preview
Clemson has a 3-3-0 record this season and is sitting 7th in the ACC. They are 2-4-0 ATS, 2-4-0 in Over/Under and have a 1-2-0 home record and a 2-1-0 away record. Clemson is coming off a 41-10 road win against Boston College and will face Duke, Florida State and Louisville next.
Offensively, Clemson averages 26.3 points per game, ranking 82nd in the nation, while defensively, they allow 18.5 points per game, which is 28th. Clemson averages 408.8 total yards per game (278.8 passing and 130 rushing), while allowing 322.3 total yards per game (104.8 rushing and 217.5 passing).
Cade Klubnik leads Clemson with 1,530 passing yards with 65.8% completed passes and 11 touchdowns. Adam Randall leads the team in rushing yards with 404, while Bryant Wesco Jr. has a team-high 31 receptions for 537 receiving yards. Defensively, Ronan Hanafin, Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz are tied for the team-high with 39 total tackles, while Will Heldt leads the team in sacks, with 3.5, and Ricardo Jones has a team-high 2 interceptions.
SMU Mustangs Preview
SMU has a 4-2-0 record this season and is sitting 4th in the ACC. They are 1-5-0 ATS, 1-5-0 in Over/Under and have a 3-1-0 home record and a 1-1-0 away record. SMU is coming off a 34-10 home win against Stanford and will face Wake Forest, Miami (FL) and Boston College next.
Offensively, SMU averages 34 points per game, ranking 43rd in the nation, while defensively, they allow 22.3 points per game, which is 55th. SMU averages 404.8 total yards per game (277.8 passing and 127 rushing), while allowing 423.2 total yards per game (107.3 rushing and 315.8 passing).
Kevin Jennings leads SMU with 1,658 passing yards with 71.7% completed passes and 15 touchdowns. TJ Harden leads the team in rushing yards with 415, while Romello Brinson has a team-high 32 receptions for 484 receiving yards. Defensively, Isaiah Nwokobia has a team-high 48 total tackles (26 of them solo), while Cam Robertson leads the team in sacks, with 4.5, and Ahmaad Moses has a team-high two interceptions.
SMU Mustangs @ Clemson Tigers Betting Trends: Week 8
Why the Clemson Tigers will win
- Clemson has won each of its last 23 home games in October.
- SMU has lost 11 of its last 12 October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- SMU has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games.
- The home team has covered the spread in three of SMU’s last four games.
- Clemson has won the first half in 34 of its last 39 games against conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won 20 of its last 21 games against conference opponents.
- Clemson has lost three of its last four games as a home favorite.
- Clemson has failed to cover the spread in each of its last seven home games.
- The road team has covered the spread in five of Clemson’s last six games.
- SMU has won the first quarter in six of its last seven games against conference opponents.
- SMU has won the first half in each of its last nine road games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of SMU’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of Clemson’s last eight October home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Clemson Tigers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Bryant Wesco Jr. leads the Atlantic Coast Conference for receiving yards (537) this season.
SMU Mustangs Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Kevin Jennings ranks T7th amongst FBS players for passing touchdowns (15) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Clemson ranks T14th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (7.0).
- Clemson ranks T14th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (33.3).
- SMU has had a lower time of possession than its opponents in each of its last 15 games – longest active streak in the FBS.
- SMU ranks 135th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (315.8).
SMU vs Clemson Prediction
In their previous meeting last season, Clemson won 34-31 on the road. In this SMU vs Clemson Prediction, Clemson is coming as -9.5-point home favorites, with the total set at 55.5 points. Both teams have back-to-back wins, but SMU has trouble covering spreads, as they are just 1-5 ATS this season. Both teams are also playing amazing defense lately, having held their opponents into just 10 and 14 points per game across their last two games respectively. I expect both defenses to shine once again, so take the under 55.5 in this one.