


NBA
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
A line that was already attractive became more so with Notre Dame getting more than a touchdown and a field goal on a neutral field. While I have every expectation that the Tigers will win this game, the infusion of Trevor Lawrence will only make so much of a difference if Clemson does not get the running game going. Expect to see Lawrence as part of that effort, meaning the Fighting Irish may be able to get in a few licks as the game wears on. Ian Book is no slouch on the other sideline, and even if Clemson has a big lead, Notre Dame closing the backdoor is another possibility. There's just too many reasons to like Notre Dame in this spot given the spread.
The line in this game is an overreaction to Trevor Lawrence being available. When Notre Dame beat Clemson earlier this season it wasn't because the Tigers didn't have Lawrence. It was because Notre Dame was better than it in the trenches, which is a situation Clemson is not used to. Obviously, Lawrence makes Clemson better, but not so much that it should be favored by this much against a very good Notre Dame team.
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME -- Simply put, this one is not worth overthinking. We can plan to see the Tigers revisit their current version of "Clemsoning," which means just obliterating whatever opponent lies in their path on their way to the ACC title and a playoff berth. Even without QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson pushed Notre Dame to double OT in a road loss in their first meeting. With Lawrence back the helm, expect this game to look a lot like their CFP showdown a couple years ago.
Is Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence worth essentially 17.5 points? That's basically what oddsmakers are saying with this spread after the Tigers lost at Notre Dame by seven in double overtime without Lawrence earlier this season. As good as Lawrence is, it's hard to imagine he could play any better Saturday in Charlotte than backup D.J. Uiagalelei did that day in South Bend as the freshman threw for 439 yards and two scores and rushed for another TD. The Irish most definitely could win again in this game and 10.5 points is simply too many. I'd be willing to wager that gets under double digits by kickoff because Notre Dame is such a "public" team.