I saw Auburn at +8 at a couple books and I had to grab it. Despite all of the big games in week 1 being at neutral fields this one is not. Clemson Tigers will be going on the road to face a talented Auburn team that under performed a year ago. This Auburn team has all of the pieces it did a year ago, from a team that was supposed to contend for a national championship. Unfortunately the defense was rarely healthy, and the QB situation was awful. Shaun White started to get better, but then he too got hurt. White was named the starter, and I expect him to have a big day against Clemsonâs defense. Clemson loses their pass rush with Kevin Dodd, and Shaq Lawson gone, and their top corner in Mackensie Alexander. This is where Auburn is going to stay in this game in my opinion.
Defensively Auburn is just stacked. For instance they have five 5 star guys on the defensive line alone and a 5 star linebacker in junior Tre Williams. Some are calling for this defense to be their best since the 80âs. If this unit stays healthy they can beat any team in the country. Carl Lawson is the key though. He played half of the games last year, but when hew as in the game he was a difference maker. The fact that Clemson has to replace 3 offensive lineman could be an issue in their first game going up against a talented front.
At the end of the day Clemson still has Deshaun Watson who I have always been high on. I backed Clemson in the title game, and the game against Oklahoma that got them there and cashed in. Iâm going to fade them here. I think they can squeak away with a victory, but 8 points is too many against a team that has more talent than they do. I donât think people realize and thatâs why the spread is where it is. Major value here on Auburn.
