2012 College Football Odds and Picks: South Carolina @ Clemson Predictions – Free College Football Picks 11/24/2012

2012 College Football Odds and Picks: South Carolina @ Clemson Vegas Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 11/24/2012: As both programs have blossomed in recent years, the in-state rivalry between South Carolina and Clemson has really gained some steam. This year’s matchup is no exception as the 11th-ranked Tigers (10-1, 7-1 ACC) prepare to host the 12th-ranked Gamecocks (9-2, 6-2 SEC) Saturday. Despite the strong records for both teams, neither is in contention for their conference title by virtue of some tough competition. However, both sides have an outside shot of getting an at-large bid to a BCS game if they can creep up the rankings a bit and get some help from other teams. However, winning Saturday is a must for either team if that scenario is going to unfold. With both sides looking for one more statement victory, the Tigers are 3 ½-point favorites at home.

There is really no comparing these teams on either side of the ball, and as in past years, the game is going to boil down to a battle of Clemson’s offense against South Carolina’s defense. The Tigers own one of the most balanced, potent scoring attacks in the country, and they enter the matchup ranked ninth in passing, 30-th in rushing and fourth in scoring (44.6). Quarterback Tajh Boyd leads the high-powered attack, and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal in the form of speedy running back Andre Ellington and big play receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. Meanwhile,South Carolina’s defense ranks 13th in the country in points allowed and ranks eighth in sacks. That being said, it is worth noting that star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is dealing with some nagging injuries heading into Saturday’s game.

Ironically, both teams are equally unimpressive on the other side of the ball. South Carolina ranks outside the top 70 in both rushing and passing and ranks outside the top 40 in points per game. Granted, a devastating knee injury to star running back Marcus Lattimore has had as lot to do with the team’s struggles, but quarterback Connor Shaw has still be more of a scrambler than an effective pocket passer at this point. As for the Clemson defense, the Tigers currently rank outside the top 40 in terms of points allowed. Clemson has allowed more than 30 points four times and has allowed opponents to top 40 points twice, including in their lone loss of the year to Florida State.

The Gamecocks Win If:

Controlling the clock, controlling the tempo and controlling the Clemson offense will be crucial for South Carolina if they are going to pull off an upset on the road. The Gamecocks don’t have the weapons on offense to win a high-scoring shootout, but they certainly have the defense to win a physical, low-scoring game. Establishing some sort of running game to move the chains and keep Boyd and company on the sidelines will certainly help the cause. Forcing the Tigers into obvious passing situations in order to unleash their vaunted pass rush will also be important. Overall, South Carolina’s chances of winning increase the slower the pace and the lower the score. If the offense can remain mistake free and at least move the ball consistently, the defense has shown time and time again it can do the rest.

The Tigers Win If:

Plain and simple, the Tigers can win this game by getting their offense rolling early. The Gamecocks have too many injuries and not enough firepower to keep up with Clemson in a shootout. That being said, Boyd and company have to make sure that they don’t turn the ball over in an attempt to bury South Carolina in the early going. The last thing the Tigers want to do is set up the struggling Gamecocks’ offense with a short field. Clemson needs a fast, high-scoring pace from the opening kickoff, and if the Tigers make this game come down to which offense can score more points, South Carolina won’t be able to hang around.

Bottom Line:

South Carolina has won three straight in this rivalry, but unlike in past seasons, the Tigers don’t come into the matchup in the middle of a slump. In fact, the opposite is true. Clemson’s already high-powered offense has been rolling lately and is averaging more than 54 points per game in the three games leading up to Saturday’s meeting with the Gamecocks. Meanwhile,South Carolina again enters the game without Lattimore, and their most important defensive player is banged up, as well. The Gamecocks have felt the impact of all the injuries in recent weeks, allowing an average of 27.5 points per game against their last two SEC opponents and entering the fourth quarter of a game against lowly Wofford tied at 7-7 before finally pulling away. Clemson is peaking while South Carolina is scuffling, and the Gamecocks just aren’t healthy enough to hang with the Tigers’ high-scoring offense this year.

Prediction: Clemson Tigers (-3 ½) Cover the Spread 

South Carolina @ Clemson Vegas Odds and Total
Line: Clemson -3.5
Total: Over/Under 62
Television: 7 PM EST on ESPN

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