Every one of the players on Clemson’s roster signed up to be playing for championships, College Football Playoff games or even a New Year’s Day bowl, and they’ve done that well, winning two titles since 2016. But now they get the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29. On the other hand, Iowa State wants to be in this game. They Cyclones want to use it as a tool for recruiting, and the players want to beat Clemson. Iowa State beat Oregon last season in a bowl, and I think the Cyclones can beat the Tigers despite running back Breece Hall opting out for the NFL. Iowa State covers.

The Tigers’ defense has been lights out all season, and it’s not like Iowa State’s offense is lethal sans star running back Breece Hall. Clemson didn’t cover in its first six games of the season, but has covered in three of its last four. Meanwhile, Iowa State hasn’t covered in four of its last six – and that was with Hall in the lineup. Clemson will get a big win and take some momentum into the offseason.

Cheez-It Bowl -- While I do have some concerns over the level of motivation that Clemson may have not being in a playoff game and having lost both coordinators, Iowa State has been gutted by transfers/opt-outs. The latest was star running back and All-American Breece Hall, who will skip to prepare for the draft. Hall had scored at least one rushing TD in 24 consecutive games, an FBS record, and led the nation in scoring (138 points), touchdowns (23) and rushing touchdowns (20). He was fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards at 147.2 yards per game. So, yeah, pretty big loss.