Tigers Roar Early
The Orange Bowl features a top-10 clash between No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) and No. 7 Clemson (11-2). With the Volunteers missing their starting quarterback and star wide receiver duo, the Tigers are viewed as substantial favorites.
Clemson is priced at -210 on the moneyline while being favored by six points. With both teams starting QBs with little experience, this feels like an unpredictable game. Prop bets could be a great option for this New Year’s Six bowl game. Check out three promising props for Friday’s matchup.
Let’s check the latest college football odds, stats, injury reports and college football lines for Tennessee vs Clemson. We’ve plenty of NCAA football odds for you to consider.
Tennessee vs Clemson Props
- Game Total Points Range
- First Quarter Winning Margin
- Clemson Winning Margin
Game Total Points Range
The projected total for Tennessee vs Clemson is 63½. Both teams rank in the top 20 of points per game. In fact, the Volunteers lead the nation at 45.7 points per game. Without quarterback Hendon Hooker in Week 13, Tennessee scored 56 points. Also, the Tigers have averaged 35 points in the last four games.
Despite the absence of top wideouts Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, the Volunteers’ passing game can still find success against Clemson, which ranks 65th in allowed passing yards per game. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is the new face of the Tigers program and comes off a terrific showing in the ACC Championship Game. The freshman five-star QB should fare well against the Volunteers, who rank 126th in pass defense.
There should be plenty of points in Friday’s matchup, leading to the over. However, expect it to be a close call, putting the total range between 61 to 70 points.
- Pick: 61-70 points (+300)
First Quarter Winning Margin
Ultimately, Clemson has the advantage in this matchup. Klubnik has shown far more promise than Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton, who has thrown for less than 150 passing yards in his two starts since 2021.
Tennessee would like to run the ball often, as it ranks 18th in yards per carry. However, the Tigers have an elite top-10 run defense and their star defensive tackles Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee are both playing. Look for Clemson to celebrate a New Year’s Six bowl game win on Friday.
This is where the prop bet comes in. Tennessee has lost two games – 27-13 to Georgia and 63-38 to South Carolina. In both losses, the Volunteers trailed by double digits at the end of the first quarter. Clemson will build an early lead.
- Pick: First Quarter Winning Margin – Clemson by seven or more points (+135)
Clemson Winning Margin
As discussed, I like Clemson to win. However, don’t expect a blowout. Tennessee has one of college football’s best offensive lines, and top running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small have been hot. Wright comes off a 160-yard outing and Small has totaled at least six yards per carry in three straight games.
In addition, the Tigers will be without second-leading tackler Trenton Simpson and defensive end Myles Murphy, which could create more opportunities in the run game. Coach Josh Heupel’s offense has found success against most defenses by spreading the field, taking deep shots and running the ball in between the tackles. Tennessee will keep it competitive but fall by 7 to 12 points.
- Pick: Winning Margin – 7-12 points (+425)
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
