Clemson stunned ACC fans last season by winning the Atlantic Division and conference championship just one year removed from a 6-7 finish. The Tigers are no longer flying under the radar after their 2011 exploits, but the odds makers are expecting a step backward from the team this season. Clemson 2012 College Football Predictions have the Tigers favored, at -210 odds ($210 to win $100), to record fewer than nine regular season wins and they are a +550 moneyline play to repeat as ACC Champions. 2013 BCS Odds for the school are currently set at 55-1 or $100 to win $5500.
Clemson served notice early last year that it was not the same squad that posted a 6-7 record the season before. The Tigers just out to a 3-0 start before hitting league play and they carried that momentum into meetings with Florida State and Virginia Tech, beating the Seminoles 35-30 and the Hokies 23-3.
Clemson followed up those wins with victories over Boston College, Maryland, and North Carolina, but the wheels came off for Dabo Swinney’s troops during the stretch run. The Tigers dropped three of their last four regular season games before rebounding with a 38-10 thrashing of Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game. The win over the Hokies earned the Tigers a spot in the Orange Bowl, but they failed to show up for the meeting with West Virginia, which resulted in a 33-70 beat down at the hands of the Mountaineers.
Avoiding another collapse, whether early or late, will, obviously, prove critical should Clemson hope to retain its league title. The Tigers will be tested early with games against Auburn (-3), Florida State (+10.5), Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech all coming before October 25th, and they also face late challenges against NC State and South Carolina (-2.5).
Clemson 2012 College Football Predictions and 2013 BCS Odds
Odds to win the BCS National Championship +5500 ($100 to win $5500)
Odds to win 2012 ACC +550 ($100 to win $550)
Odds to win 2012 Atlantic Division +280 ($100 to win $280)
Regular Season Wins – Over 9 wins (+160), Under 9 wins (-210)
Fantasy Football is back - Enter Pregame's $1,000 tournament for FREE! There's NO season long commitment. Contests last just one weekend. Finish in the top 72 to win a cash prize. CLICK TO ENTER