Game Analysis

CLEMSON (-5)  32   Auburn  27

Clemson’s new quarterback Kelly Bryant certainly passed the eye test last week with his accuracy (16 of 22 for 236 yards) and the Tigers looks like a better running team than they were last season now that the vastly overrated Wayne Gallman (only 4.9 ypr) has moved on. Overall, I think the defending champs will be just as good offensively as they were the last two years with Deshaun Watson at quarterback and the Tigers’ defense looks even better with 7 returning starters, including 5 of the front 7. After all, Clemson’s defense was 1.2 yards per play better than average in each of the last two seasons with much less experienced units (just 3 returning starters in 2015 and 4 in 2016). Clemson is a better overall team than they were last season when they won the National Championship but Auburn is a very formidable obstacle.

Auburn should have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation and quarterback Jarett Stidham should be an upgrade at quarterback – although he didn’t live up to the hype with his modest 14 for 24 for 185 yards last week. The Auburn defense, meanwhile, looks imposing this season even without All-American defensive linemen Carl Lawson and Montavius Adams. There is still a lot of talent on all 3 levels of the defense and the Tigers held Georgia Southern to just 78 total yards in their 41-7 romp last week.

This game will tell us a lot more about these teams and the winner has a leg up in the battle for one of the 4 playoff spots. My ratings favor Clemson by 5 ½ points with a total of 59 points. This battle of the Tigers is not a good game to bet but it’s likely going to be an interesting game to watch.