Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Betting Odds, Analysis, College Football Pick

Clemson stands unbeaten on the season, but it's also only 3-4 against the spread over its last seven games. Syracuse, meanwhile, is only 3-6 on the season but 4-1 ATS at home. The top-ranked Tigers are big road chalk for Saturday afternoon's bout with the Orange at the Carrier Dome.

Point spread: The Tigers opened as 26.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 41.4-13.4 Tigers

Why the Clemson Tigers can cover the spread

Clemson won its 12th game in a row last week and clinched a spot in the ACC title game with a 23-13 victory over Florida State. The Tigers trailed the Seminoles at the half 10-6, but they won the second half 17-3.

On the day, Clemson outgained FSU 512-361 and racked up 215 yards on the ground, as both quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman hit the century mark. The Tigers allowed just one Florida State touchdown on a 75-yard Dalvin Cook run on the first series of the game. After that, the 'Noles managed just a pair of field goals.

Two weeks ago, the Tigers won at North Carolina State 56-41, and just before that, they mauled Miami 58-0. Clemson has won the ACC's Atlantic Division but knows it must win out, and probably impressively, to make the College Football Playoff.

Why the Syracuse Orange can cover the spread

Syracuse began this season well enough with three straight victories, and while it's lost six in a row since then, it's covered half those games. Last week, the Orange lost at Louisville 41-17, although that game was a little closer than that score might let on.

Syracuse actually led well into the second quarter 10-7, and after falling behind, it had a chance to pull within one score midway through the third. But a missed field goal gave the Cardinals a short field, and they took advantage, putting the game away.

The Orange couldn't quite hang on for the cover last week as 17-point dogs and missed on the cover against Florida State two weeks ago. But in Week 8, they covered against Pitt as nine-point home dogs, and in Week 7, they covered at seven points at Virginia.

Smart pick

Clemson has outgained every opponent this season, many of them by large margins, and has won three games by at least 31 points. Meanwhile, Syracuse has been outgained in every game except one this season.

However, the Tigers are coming off a big emotional victory over Florida State and could be due for a letdown, while the Orange have been a good bet at home. Syracuse probably won't win this game, but the smart bet here is with the home dog, plus the points.

Betting trends

The visiting team is 3-0 ATS in the last three games in this matchup.

The total has gone under in Clemson's last three games against Syracuse.

Syracuse is 4-1 ATS in its last five games at home.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, and all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.