2012 College Football Picks: Clemson vs Auburn Odds and Predictions – NCAA Football Picks 9/1/2012

2012 College Football Picks: Clemson vs Auburn Vegas Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 9/1/2012: For the third year in a row, Clemson and Auburn will tangle in an early season battle. Auburn knocked of Clemson two years ago on its way to a national title, and Clemson returned the favor last year on their way to an Orange Bowl appearance. The rubber match between the two programs will take place Saturday night in the Georgia Dome, and after the last two meetings have been both exciting and competitive, it is no surprise that the oddsmakers expect another tight one. The 14th-ranked Clemson Tigers are favored against the unranked Auburn Tigers, but they are only three-point favorites.

As far as philosophies go, these two teams couldn’t be much different. Auburn wants to pound the ball on offense with its power running game and play physical, grinding defense. Clemson, on the other hand, wants to put up a ton of points with its up-tempo offense and isn’t afraid to gamble a bit on defense. The team that is best able to assert its will and control the pace will have a huge edge in this matchup. After all, Auburn held Clemson to just 24 points in its 2010 win, while Clemson lit up Auburn for 38 points in their win last season. It is a clash of styles in every sense.

Ironically, both teams will be missing critical parts of their offense. Clemson will be missing star wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who is suspended for the first two games of the year. Watkins was a First-Team All-American as a freshman last year, and he is already one of the top deep threats and most explosive offensive weapons in the country. His absence will definitely be felt. Meanwhile, Auburn will be without running back Michael Dyer, who transferred after dealing with various issues off the field. Losing a dynamic back like Dyer is going to take its toll on Auburn’s ground attack.

Although Watkins is out, Clemson still has some firepower. Quarterback Tajh Boyd is coming off a 38-touchdown campaign last season, and running back Andre Ellington is back after finishing second in the ACC in rushing last year. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins will assume the No. 1 receiver role with Watkins out, and while he may not be the same caliber of playmaker, he did have 978 yards last year. There is still enough talent on Clemson’s offense to pile up some points, but whenever a team’s best player is taken out of the equation, there are always question marks.

That being said, Auburn has plenty of question marks on offense, as well. Quarterback Kiehl Frazier is the unquestioned starter this year, and while he has the size and athleticism to make big plays with his legs, Kiehl is still inconsistent as a passer. Meanwhile, running back Onterio McCalebb will have to be more than just a change-of-pace back. McCalebb is versatile and is particularly strong in the passing game, but he isn’t the type of back that can wear down defenses and control the clock. More pressure is going to be on Kiehl, and he may not have the polished passing skills needed to take advantage of Clemson’s suspect secondary.

The recipe for beating Clemson is to either outscore them as West Virginia did in the Orange Bowl last year or to force Boyd and the offense into multiple turnovers as South Carolina did. Auburn’s defense is solid, but it doesn’t have elite talent right now. Even without Watkins, Clemson has enough firepower to put some points on the board. Meanwhile, Auburn doesn’t have the personnel it needs to control the game on the ground. Boyd, Hopkins and Ellington form a talented enough trio to lead Clemson to a solid season-opening win.

Prediction: Clemson Tigers (-3) Cover the Spread 

Clemson vs Auburn Vegas Odds and Total
Line: Clemson -2.5
Total: Over/Under 55
Television: 7PM EST on ESPN

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