The Orange are 1-4, but I'm still not sure they are quite as bad as their spread ratings suggest. They historically play Clemson tough, and this line might be a bit inflated based on what the Tigers did last week to Georgia Tech. Clemson doesn't stop playing during blowouts, but doesn't look to run it up, either. This is just too big a cushion to pass up.

Clemson is the best team in the ACC. It might be the best team in the country. Last week it treated Georgia Tech like some low-level FCS team in a 73-7 win. Syracuse, meanwhile, was at home getting blasted by Liberty. But you know what? There is no way in the world I am laying 46 points with anybody against anybody in a conference game. Particularly a Power Five conference game. Clemson might win by 50, but I won't care. I made the right play.

It’s dang near impossible to pick a side in Clemson dial-a-score games. In this, I’ll dial up a Syracuse cover. This spread is a direct byproduct of last week’s shellacking of Georgia Tech. I have a hard time believing that coach Dabo Swinney will keep his foot on the gas for anything more than a quarter against the Orange. Expect to see Trevor Lawrence on the bench for 45 minutes and the third-teamers to allow a late score or two. Take the Over ... and pray.