Bodog Beat

A few weeks ago, this Saturday's Florida State-Clemson matchup looked like a game that had little meaning outside of Bodog bettors and fans of both teams. But now, with FSU having won two games in a row (1-1 ATS) and Clemson three straight (3-0 ATS), Saturday's winner might be the team to beat in the mediocre ACC Atlantic Division — the Tigers are -9½ on Bodog's college football odds.

It should be a matchup of strengths Saturday, as FSU quarterback Christian Ponder — who was limited some in practice this week with bruised ribs but will start — averages an ACC-leading 306.6 passing yards a game while Clemson has the No. 5 pass defense in the country, holding opposing QBs below 50 percent completions with 15 interceptions.

The difference could come in special teams, and that favors Clemson. C.J. Spiller is a great running back but easily the best kick returner in the country. He has three kick returns for TDs this season (and one punt return score) and is just one short of setting the NCAA career mark (it’s currently six). Spiller, the first ACC player in history to go over 6,000 career all-purpose yards, has had at least one play of 60 yards in every game but the Tigers' win over Coastal Carolina last week, but he barely played because of the blowout. It’s rare we will talk about touchbacks here at the Beat, but FSU kicker Dustin Hopkins leads the ACC with 16 touchbacks, and that could be very relevant this week.

When looking at the college football odds on this one, know that FSU leads this series all-time 16-6 and won last year by two touchdowns, but that Clemson has won four of the past six and three in a row in Death Valley. The Tigers are 4-1 ATS at home this season.

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