Free Daily NFL Lock Pick, Thursday October 19th: Jacksonville vs New Orleans 8:15pmET
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For the first time since 2015, the Clemson Tigers (4-2; 2-4-0 ATS) are headed to Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Hurricanes (4-2; 3-3-0 ATS) await. Each school is trailing the ACC's leaders by two games in the loss column. A loss will realistically end any hope that either team will compete in the ACC Championship Game. Those are the stakes for Saturday's 8:00 p.m. EDT kickoff. An eventful night is in store when the Tigers and Hurricanes take the field. How will things unfold?
Clemson got some much-needed rest last weekend, but it's time to get after it again. After dropping their first two ACC games (to ranked opponents), the Tigers have responded with two conference wins. They'll aim for three through a suffocating defense. Clemson is fifth in the nation nationally, holding foes to 261.8 yards per game. Opponents only gain 86.3 rushing yards against them (8th nationwide), while the other 175.5 yards come through the air. Through six games only Duke and Florida State, the aforementioned ranked losses, have reached 20 points against the Tigers. Otherwise, teams are scoring 17 or fewer when Clemson is on the schedule. Overall, they're only giving up 19.3 points per game. Make no mistake, the Tigers are still a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end.
Offensively, Clemson has impressive numbers, but two explosive out-of-conference games are skewing their statistics. Against ACC foes, the Tigers are averaging 19.8 points and 394.5 yards per game. Quarterback Cade Klubnik has 1,370 yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and two interceptions, which has helped improve the passing game from years past. On the ground, Clemson has 1,129 yards with a 4.8-yard average per carry, including 12 scores. Will Shipley is leading the way in carries (91) and yards (450). Conference play hasn't been great for this group, but maybe the week off will help them recover.
Free Daily NFL Lock Pick, Thursday October 19th: Jacksonville vs New Orleans 8:15pmET CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW