Clemson vs. Wake Forest Picks, Predictions College Football Week 4: Will Tigers Buckle in 1st Real Test of 2022?
Wake Forest is 3-0 and ranked inside the top 25. Will No. 5 Clemson be ready for its first true challenge? Read on for our Clemson-Wake Forest picks.
Clemson has taken its time settling into the season, as its effort against some true bottom-feeders should be cause for concern heading into a road challenge against a top 25 program.
Here are our college football betting picks for the Week 4 matchup between Clemson and Wake Forest (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Clemson vs. Wake Forest Game Info
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 24, 12:00 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Location: Truist Field, Winston-Salem, NC
Weather: 71 degrees, 0% chance of
precipitation, 6-mph winds
Clemson vs. Wake Forest Odds Analysis
The line opened at Clemson at -6.5 and has since moved toward the Tigers to -7 at DraftKings Sportsbook, while it's -7.5 at both FanDuel and BetMGM. Around 58% of the money wagered has gone toward Clemson.
The total opened at 57 and has experienced downward movement since. BetMGM has shifted the most, down to 55.5. DraftKings lists the total at 56, while FanDuel has 56.5. Still, 90% of the money wagered has gone to the Over.
Clemson vs. Wake Forest Picks
- Spread: Wake Forest +7.5 (-115 via BetMGM)
- Over/Under: Over 55.5 (-110 via BetMGM) ★★★
- Prop: Wake Forest Over 23.5 (-125 via FanDuel) ★★★
Clemson vs. Wake Forest ATS Pick
Wake Forest +7.5 (-115) ★★★★
Clemson has covered the spread in only one of its three wins. Given its performance against a doormat schedule to date, I can’t help but wonder whether the Tigers are somewhat fraudulent.
Clemson dispatched Lousiana Tech by 28, the same margin that offensively challenged Missouri did. DJ Uiagalelei completed just 58.6% of his passes against FCS Furman in the Tigers’ lowest scoring output of the season, and they led LA Tech just 13-6 at the half. What happens when Clemson faces a real team?
We’re about to find out. Wake Forest is 2-1 against the spread this season and has averaged 41.5 points. Its defense did allow 36 points to Liberty, but the Demon Deacons stood tall when it counted. Wake Forest is 17-2 at home since 2019 and 13-6 ATS in home games over that stretch, tied for the seventh-best home cover rate in FBS.
Wake enters Saturday 0-8 against Clemson under Dave Clawson. I don’t know if this game ends the streak. But at a minimum, it will put a scare into a Clemson team that hasn’t been tested like this in 2022.
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Clemson vs. Wake Forest O/U Pick
Over 55.5 (-110) ★★★
The Over is 2-1 across Wake’s first three games, while only one Clemson contest has cleared the total thus far. When you look at the combined productivity of the offenses in this one, it suggests points should be plentiful. Both sides have averaged better than 40 points per game against FBS opponents this season.
Though the efficiency of either offense hasn’t been tested against even somewhat decent defenses yet this season, the sheer volume of opportunities should present an environment for scoring. Both Clemson and Wake Forest rank inside the top 40 in FBS in time (fewest seconds) per play and should push the pace in a shootout. We’ll take advantage of the line movement in our favor.
Clemson vs. Wake Forest Prop Pick
Wake Forest Over 23.5 (-125) ★★★
Though the best unit involved in this game is likely the Clemson defense, this group has not been tested in 2022. Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman looked sharp early before stumbling a bit in a close call against Liberty last weekend.
Hartman threw his first two picks of the season in a game during which the Wake Forest rushing attack was non-existent: 22 carries for 23 yards. Throwing for 325 yards and three touchdown passes, Hartman did just enough. At Vandy, the veteran playmaker amassed a clean 300 passing yards for four scores and no interceptions.
LA Tech is half the offense in points per game of what Wake Forest has been this season. If its middling attack managed 20 points on the Tigers at Clemson last week, Wake Forest should be comfortable enough to hang 24 in a raucous home environment, as fans recognize the importance of this matchup to the Demon Deacons program.
Where to Bet on Clemson-Wake Forest Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
Clemson-Wake Forest picks made 9/22/2022 at 12:27 a.m. ET
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