Clemson Virginia Tech Betting: Clemson Tries To Affirm Its Rise On The Road

The Clemson Tigers have shown they can win big game at home and defy their longstanding reputation. Now, they’ll be challenged on the road as they visit the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Clemson Tigers @ Virginia Tech Hokies - Saturday, October 1

Sports betting line: Virginia Tech -6.5

Why Clemson Will Win

The ranks of MLB baseball betting experts are aware of a very fundamental reality in the world of coaching: no, not that it matters (it does), but that it provides the mechanics and the plan of attack which can enable a talented pitcher to finally hit his stride. This is what’s going on in the world of Clemson football.
The Tigers have not won an ACC championship since 1991, and that’s been the case because the program simply hasn’t had high-caliber coaches, particularly offensive coordinators and quarterback gurus who can get the most out of their signal callers. Last year, Clemson’s season turned into a train wreck under beleaguered quarterback Kyle Parker. The Tigers’ offense went so far south that backup Tajh Boyd was asked to relieve Parker in the second half of the season. Boyd looked terrible in the time he spent on the field, giving Clemson little hope that the 2011 season would engineer a turnaround. However, this is where football’s equivalent of a “pitching coach” in Major League Baseball comes into play.
Chad Morris, the new offensive coordinator for Clemson under head coach Dabo Swinney, has brought a fast-paced spread attack to the Tigers. Clemson has recruited fast receivers such as freshman sensation Sammy Watkins, but without good quarterback play, the Tigers’ offense wouldn’t amount to much. Morris is getting through to Boyd and showing him how to read defenses. The results have been spectacular through the first four weeks of the season. Boyd is slicing and dicing secondaries, particularly by finding Watkins on the edges for huge game-breaking plays. Clemson scored 35 points this past Saturday against a Florida State defense that did an excellent job of bottling up the formidable Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 17. Clemson has all the weapons and tools needed to win this game on the road.

Why Virginia Tech Will Win

When you contemplate your sports bet on this game, remember that Clemson has just played two tough games, but both of them at home. The Tigers will find it hard to go into Blacksburg, Virginia, and escape with a victory. Moreover, Virginia Tech has one of the top defenses in the ACC. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster is, without question, the top man in his craft within the Atlantic Coast Conference. Foster will be ready to counter Morris. Moreover, in a home game, Virginia Tech should be able to disrupt Boyd and cause the Clemson skill people to flinch under pressure. As long as Tech quarterback Logan Thomas avoids key turnovers, the Hokies should be able to power their way past the Tigers.

Who Will Win

It’s not too early to say that Clemson has changed its ways, but even the Tigers will lose at least one or two games in the regular season. This is as logical a loss as one can find for Clemson. The Tigers are still the favorites in the ACC Atlantic Division, but Virginia Tech is the class of the ACC once again… at least until proven otherwise.

College Football Betting Pick: Virginia Tech