The Clemson Tigers (4-1) will go on the road this weekend for an ACC matchup against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3). This game is set to take place in Winston-Salem at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN this Saturday afternoon.
The No. 10 team in the country has won three straight games, including its last victory against Florida State, 29-13.
Meanwhile, the Deacs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 34-30 win over NC State.
The Tigers have been playing well this year on offense and are 20-point road favorites in this matchup. This game projects to be a high-scoring affair, as there is a current total of 61 points set on this game.
Let’s dive into my Clemson vs Wake Forest predictions and my college football picks for Saturday.
Clemson vs Wake Forest Odds, Spread, Lines
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-20.5 -110 | 62 -110o / -110u | -1600 |
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+20.5 -110 | 62 -110o / -110u | +900 |
- Clemson vs Wake Forest spread: Clemson -20.5
- Clemson vs Wake Forest over/under: 62 points
- Clemson vs Wake Forest moneyline: Clemson -1600
- Clemson vs Wake Forest pick: Over 62
My Clemson vs Wake Forest best bet is on the under, with the best line currently available at bet365, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Clemson vs Wake Forest Betting Preview
Clemson Football
Following its high-profile loss to Georgia in their season opener, Clemson has rebounded with a vengeance, ripping off four straight wins by an average of 28 points per game. The Tigers are destroying everyone in sight, ranking 48th in success rate, 27th in finishing drives and 42nd in havoc allowed.
Clemson is passing at the 26th highest rate in CFB despite its positive game scripts. They rank 37th in success rate and 50th in PPA, but just 103rd in explosiveness. Cade Klubnik is averaging 0.19 EPA per dropback this season, as he has 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. Clemson ranks 12th in PFF pass blocking grade and has kept Klubnik clean, as he has only been sacked four times this year.
The Tigers are 69th in rushing success rate, 37th in rushing PPA and 18th in rushing explosiveness. Phil Mafah has 67 carries on the season for 502 yards (7.49 yards per carry) and two touchdowns on the season as the lead back.
Defensively, the Tigers are 110th in success rate, 111th in finishing drives and 101st in explosiveness allowed. They do rank 42nd in havoc generated, but overall they haven’t been good.
The Tigers are 98th in rushing success rate allowed and 123th in rushing PPA allowed. With their positive game scripts, they mostly face passing plays, where they are 98th in passing success rate allowed and 94th in passing PPA allowed.
Clemson ranks 75th in PFF run defense grade and just 99th in pass rush grade, while ranking 32nd in coverage grade. The Tigers have faced mostly power five opponents, which can skew overall stats early in the season, but they haven’t played the toughest schedule by any means and these defensive statistics are concerning for their prospects going forward.
Wake Forest Football
The Demon Deacons are 2-3 to begin their season and will be attempting to avoid starting 1-2 in ACC play. Wake pulled out a close win against NC State and suffered a close loss against Virginia, but the Demon Deacons have also lost to Louisiana and were dominated by Ole Miss this year.
Wake Forest ranks 64th in offensive success rate, 110th in finishing drives and 89th in explosiveness this season.
The Demon Deacons pass at the 14th highest rate in FBS and rank 88th in success rate, 91st in passing PPA and 83rd in passing explosiveness. Transfer quarterback Hank Bachemier has played some lackluster football, averaging -0.03 EPA per dropback and a 44% success rate this season with just six touchdowns on 176 passing attempts.
Wake is 44th in rushing success rate and 69th in rushing PPA. But the Demon Deacons lack explosiveness, ranking 118th in rushing explosiveness this year. Demond Claiborne leads the backfield with 79 carries for 468 yards and six touchdowns on the season.
Wake's defense has been a weak point this year. It ranks 129th in success rate allowed but has avoided allowing explosives, ranking 33rd in explosiveness allowed. This has helped them to rank 96th in finishing drives, but they are just 129th in havoc generated.
Wake Forest has been bad against both the run and the pass, ranking 125th in rushing success rate allowed and 129th in passing success rate allowed. They have prevented explosiveness in both facets but have largely been terrible down to down.
Wake is 90th in PFF pass rush grade, 103rd in PFF coverage grade and 74th in PFF run defense grade this year.
Clemson vs Wake Forest Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Clemson and Wake Forest match up statistically:
Clemson Offense vs. Wake Forest Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 59 | 127 | |
| Line Yards | 31 | 127 | |
| Pass Success | 54 | 129 | |
| Havoc | 32 | 130 | |
| Finishing Drives | 28 | 92 | |
| Quality Drives | 17 | 128 | |
Wake Forest Offense vs. Clemson Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 19 | 94 | |
| Line Yards | 63 | 109 | |
| Pass Success | 51 | 48 |  |
| Havoc | 24 | 8 | |
| Finishing Drives | 79 | 106 | |
| Quality Drives | 56 | 43 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 27 | 52 |
| PFF Coverage | 32 | 102 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 87 | 45 |
| Middle 8 | 72 | 32 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.3 (50) | 23.3 (10) |
| Rush Rate | 49% (90) | 48% (109) |
Clemson vs Wake Forest Prediction
Clemson’s offense has been on a tear against everyone it has faced since the Georgia game. I don’t expect the Tigers to slow down this weekend when facing what has been one of the worst defenses in the Power Five. The Tigers will be able to get whatever they want on offense if they can just avoid turnovers.
Bachmeier hasn’t been great this season, but I think he may still be good enough to put some points on the board against this Clemson defense. The Tigers appear to be weaker on that side of the ball than they have been in years, and Wake can score enough to push this total up.
I like playing the over in this game at 61 points, as I believe we will see both teams putting points on the board. This total has already climbed up from where it opened at 56.5, and I wouldn’t go much higher than it is currently. I’d take this up to 62, but no higher, as it is already inflated.
Pick: Over 62
Clemson vs Wake Forest Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How to Watch
| Location: | Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 12 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN |
Clemson faces Wake Forest on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They kick off this game at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
Wake Forest vs Clemson Weather
