Tennessee vs. Clemson Odds, Picks, Predictions College Football: Tigers Tabbed as Orange Bowl Favorites
College football fans and bettors will get a different look at both the Tennessee Volunteers and Clemson Tigers when they meet in Friday's Orange Bowl. Read on for our top Tennessee-Clemson college football picks based on the best NCAAF odds.
The first New Year’s Six Bowl takes place Friday night with the Volunteers set to battle the Tigers. Only five weeks ago, Tennessee (9-3 ATS, 7-5 O/U) hoped to compete in the College Football Playoff. A shocking loss at South Carolina in the penultimate regular season game derailed those hopes. The Volunteers did overwhelm in-state rival Vanderbilt the following game to secure a New Year’s Six Bowl invite.
Clemson (7-6 ATS, 7-6 O/U) also didn't make the CFP despite running the table in league play. The Tigers lost to South Carolina one week after their Orange Bowl opponents but bounced back to dominate North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson was the only ACC team to make a New Year’s Six Bowl this year.
Here is our best Tennessee vs. Clemson Orange Bowl pick (odds via PointsBet; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).
Check out our college football best bets and all of our top odds and picks for college football's bowl season.
Tennessee vs. Clemson Game Info
- Date: Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- Weather: 75 degrees, 9.5% chance of precipitation, 10-mph SE winds
Tennessee vs. Clemson Odds
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Tennessee vs. Clemson Odds Analysis
Clemson has grown from a consensus 4.5-point favorite on the opening lines to laying 6 points as of Friday morning. However, it's Tennessee that has drawn 65% of the tickets and 55% of the handle.
The Over/Under has ticked up from a consensus line of 63 to 63.5 despite 55% of the cash on just 33% of the tickets backing the Under.
Check out our top Orange Bowl odds!
Tennessee vs. Clemson Pick
Tennessee +5.5 ⭐⭐
There’s no denying Tennessee's passing attack will be a shell of itself in the Orange Bowl. Along with losing quarterback Hendon Hooker to a season-ending injury, the Volunteers are also without their top two receivers, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. Both players opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Although multiple voids must be filled, Tennessee showed it still has some offensive potency. Joe Milton will be the Vols' starting QB. While he struggles with accuracy, his arm strength and ability to push the ball downfield could cause problems for a middling Clemson defense.
Coaches adapt to roster changes
Tennessee played several games without Tillman this year due to injury. Head coach Josh Heupel had several weeks to prepare a plan for the Orange Bowl. That includes increased reliance on the run game with tailback Jabari Small the featured ball carrier.
Bettors may assume the Vols’ attempts to run the ball will be in vain as Clemson allowed the eighth-fewest opponent rushing yards per game. However, the Tigers will miss two pro defensive prospects. Losing defensive end Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson could be an issue for Clemson against a fully intact Tennessee O-line.
An additional factor is Clemson QB Cade Klubnik. He played well in the ACC title game after taking over for DJ Uiagalelei, but that was against an awful North Carolina D. Laying points with Klubnik against a formidable SEC opponent remains a daunting proposition.
Check out our TCU vs. Michigan picks and our Ohio State vs. Georgia picks for the College Football Playoff!
Tennessee vs. Clemson Best Odds
PointsBet (-110)
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
| +4.5 | +5.5 | +5.5 | +4.5 | +5.5 |
| (-105) | (-112) | (-110) | (-110) | (-110) |
As there's up to a full point of variance between sportsbooks, bettors can benefit greatly from shopping the odds before placing their wager. Currently, the best underdog value is Tennessee +5.5.
There are also odds discrepancies to be mindful of. Bettors should bet on the Vols anywhere that lists +5.5 with standard -110 juice. Although other books offer the optimal line value, a steeper price is needed to back Tennessee at these shops.
Tennessee-Clemson picks made 12/28/2022 at 3:55 p.m. ET.
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