Clemson has appeared in the College Football Playoff more than any other program in the land. More than Alabama, more than Georgia, and more than Ohio State. Six times the Tigers have played for a chance to win it all, capturing the national title in 2016 and 2018.
On the other hand, Tennessee, which has a rich history, hasn’t experienced a ton of success as of late, finishing about .500 only five times since 2012. This season has Vols faithful dreaming of the CFP after a monumental home win over Alabama.
Due to one too many losses, the two sides will meet on December 30 at Hard Rock Stadium in a clash of top 10 teams on the Orange Bowl, a much-awaited return to the national spotlight for Tennessee while somewhat of a letdown for Clemson, who’d much rather be readying for a Fiesta or Peach Bowl, the two CFP games.
In this piece, we will delve into the Tennessee vs Clemson odds, giving you all you need to know when it comes to winning your college football picks. As such, we will go over NCAAF standings as well as college football injuries and defections in the lead-up to one of five NCAAF games on the NCAAF schedule on December 30.
Tennessee vs Clemson Odds
A look at the Tennessee vs Clemson odds has the Tigers currently 5-point favorites. The game total is 63.5. Bettors siding with Clemson on the money line will find a price of -210, while those electing to play the Vols will get +165.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 11-7 SU in bowls, and most of the Tigers’ postseason appearances have come against the stalwarts of the sport, making his mark even more impressive. While the Tigers don’t necessarily play in a league the caliber of the SEC like Tennessee, the markets have rightfully given respect to Clemson given their pedigree.
Tennessee vs Clemson Betting Preview
Tennessee Volunteers: While the Vols began the 2022 campaign unranked, many expected the team to appear in a bowl game for the second season in a row under coach Josh Heupel.
The Vols went 8-0 to begin the season, including a 52-49 win over Alabama at home, sending the goalposts into the nearby Tennessee River. Ranked third and in a game laced with playoff and championship implications, Tennessee couldn’t quite keep up with top-ranked Georgia falling 27-13 between the hedges.
As damaging as that loss was, it was nothing compared to the season-ending ACL tear sustained by Heisman-hopeful quarterback Hendon Hooker in the loss to South Carolina, effectively ending any talk of a playoff appearance.
Tennessee rebounded the next week with a 56-0 whitewashing of Vandy to post a 10-win season for the first time since 2007 under then-coach Phil Fulmer; since then, four coaches have been unsuccessful in reviving the program before Heupel’s arrival.
Clemson Tigers: Ranked fourth to commence the 2022 season, Clemson’s campaign got off to a familiar start, with the Tigers winning all of their games in September and October. Dabo Swinney’s bunch finished September with a 51-45 shootout victory in Winston-Salem over Wake Forest in two overtimes.
Heading into the early November contest at Notre Dame under the Golden Dome, Clemson was a 3.5-point favorite and failed to get the job done, falling behind 28-0 in an eventual 35-14 loss.
Already starting to see its CFP hopes vanish, and with a quarterback controversy on its hands, the now-departed DJ Uiagaleilei was benched against the Irish for freshman Cade Klubnik, the Clemson season was on the brink.
Wins against Louisiana and Miami (Fla.) followed, and only a look-ahead spot against South Carolina stood in the way of an ACC title win and probably a CFP spot.
However, the Gamecocks shocked the Tigers 31-30 in Death Valley, ending any playoff hopes and relegating the Tigers to a prestigious, yet not top, postseason destination.
Team A vs Team B Betting Preview
Tennessee has gone 9-3 against the number this year, while the Tigers are 7-6 versus the number. Swinney has experienced a good deal of bowl success and, therefore, so has a majority of this Clemson roster. These types of spots are new to the Tennessee roster and will have to do it without the services of Hooker, one of college football’s most explosive players.
In these spots, defections and opt-outs are always big. For Clemson, Uiagaleliei has left for Oregon State, while RB Kobe Pace, DB Fred Davis II, and WR receiver E.J. Williams has entered the portal. DE Myles Murphy and LB Trenton Simpson are also out.
For the Vols, along with Hooker, WR Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman are out, declaring for the draft. Hyatt may be just as big of a loss as Hooker as he won the Biletnikoff Award for being America’s best wideout.
In looking at the Tennessee vs Clemson odds, both the spread and the total, Clemson’s experience and pedigree may just be too much for the Vols to handle in the wake of Hooker and Hyatt’s absences.
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