2019 ACC Championship Game Prediction – Virginia vs Clemson Free Pick & Odds: Despite being the defending national champions and sitting with a perfect record, the third-ranked Clemson Tigers (12-0) have managed to fly a little under the radar throughout the 2019 College Football season. That could finally change this weekend when they face the 22nd-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (9-3) in the ACC Championship Game.
With a win over the Coastal Division champs, the Tigers will officially punch their ticket to the playoffs and have a chance to repeat as champs. On the flip side, the Cavaliers will try to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory and secure a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl in the process.
Expectations were high for the Tigers entering the year, but a narrow escape against North Carolina seemed to sour public opinion of the defending champs. However, Clemson has been clobbering all comers since that close call. For the year, the Tigers are averaging 45.3 points and 541.8 yards of offense while holding opponents to just 10.1 points per game. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has also shaken off a slow start and suddenly looks like the elite pro prospect everyone expected him to be, tossing at least three touchdowns in seven straight games and taking full advantage of one of the best receiving corps in the country.
Virginia’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but the Cavaliers have an X-factor in quarterback Bryce Perkins. The dual-threat weapon has thrown for just under 3,000 yards, and he has tossed 16 touchdowns to go with 11 rushing scores. Not only has he shown the ability to make big plays with both his arm and his legs, but he has shown a knack for making those big plays in crucial moments of games.
The Cavaliers Win If:
If the Cavaliers are going to shock the world, Perkins needs to have the game of his life. I’m talking keeping drives alive with his scrambling ability, using his legs to create big plays and connecting on some 50-50 balls down the field. He needs to be Superman for the Cavaliers to have a puncher’s chance. Defensively, Virginia has to try to prevent as many big plays as possible, forcing Clemson to have to do a little work for its points. If the Tigers do happen to provide the Cavaliers with any turnover opportunities, they have to take advantage. A sloppy effort from Lawrence wouldn’t hurt either. The Cavaliers need to play their best game of the year and hope they can catch the Tigers looking ahead to the playoffs.
The Tigers Win If:
If Clemson plays anywhere close to its potential, Virginia is going to be in serious trouble. The Tigers simply have more weapons and better athletes at all levels on both sides of the ball, and if they manage to avoid stupid mistakes and dumb penalties, the talent gap is going to do the rest. Lawrence in particular needs to make sure he doesn’t get too greedy and force throws that aren’t there. Defensively, Clemson needs to keep Perkins in the pocket, taking away his ability to create explosive plays with his legs and making him beat them solely with his arm. It’s a little cliché, but the Tigers just needs to take care of business with a consistent, workman-like effort.
Bottom Line:
Anyone who still thinks that Clemson is more vulnerable this year hasn’t been watching the action on the field. The Tigers have won each of their last seven games by at least 35 points, scoring at least 45 points six times and holding all seven opponents to 14 points or less. On the flip side, only one of Virginia’s ACC wins came by double-digits. With a defense that is as nasty as ever and Lawrence firing on all cylinders, I think the Tigers are the best team in the country. I don’t see any way that the Cavaliers can hang with them, and I’m not worried about Clemson covering the huge point spread.
Prediction: Clemson Tigers (-28.5) Cover the Spread
