Clemson is a three-point underdog on the road at Pitt in Week 8. Sound the alarms.
If it sounds weird for the national powerhouse to be catching points — and not laying them — it's because it is.
Saturday's game marks just the third time Clemson's been a 'dog in ACC play over the last eight(!) years.
Since 2005, the Tigers are 15-5 against the spread as a conference dog, taking nine of those 20 outright.
Clemson's History in the Underdog Role (since 2005)
| Year | Opponent | Score | ATS W/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Louisville | W, 42-36 | Win |
| 2014 | Florida State | L, 23-17 | Win |
| 2013 | Florida State | L, 51-14 | Loss |
| 2012 | Florida State | L, 49-37 | Win |
| 2011 | Virginia Tech | W, 38-10 | Win |
| 2011 | Virginia Tech | W, 25-3 | Win |
| 2010 | Florida State | L, 16-13 | Win |
| 2010 | North Carolina | L, 21-16 | Loss |
| 2010 | Miami | L, 30-21 | Loss |
| 2009 | Miami | W, 40-37 | Win |
| 2009 | Georgia Tech | L, 30-27 | Win |
| 2008 | Florida State | L, 41-27 | Loss |
| 2008 | Boston College | W, 27-21 | Win |
| 2008 | Georgia Tech | L, 21-17 | Loss |
| 2007 | Florida State | W, 24-18 | Win |
| 2006 | Florida State | W, 27-20 | Win |
| 2005 | Georgia Tech | L, 10-9 | Win |
| 2005 | NC State | W, 31-10 | Win |
| 2005 | Miami | L, 36-30 | Win |
| 2005 | Maryland | W, 28-24 | Win |
Current head coach Dabo Swinney was hired midway through the 2008 season. He lost in his debut to Georgia Tech, 21-17, and failed to cover; since then, he's 9-4 against the spread as a 'dog, with five outright dubs.
Perhaps the new role of catching points will provide a breath of fresh air for Swinney and Co.
After squeaking out a three-point win at Syracuse in Week 7, the Tigers moved to 0-7 against the spread dating back to last season. To top it off, Clemson hasn't come within five points of covering the spread in any of those contests.
Although the visitors have performed better on the national scope lately, our Power Ratings agree with the home team laying points: Pitt's 12th overall — 19 spots ahead of Clemson.
The Panthers are favored to win the ACC at +130 at DraftKings, ahead of Clemson's +320 price tag.
