Clemson Tigers vs Louisville Cardinals Picks and Predictions November 2nd 2024

Clemson Tigers vs Louisville Cardinals November 2nd 2024

ESPN will be covering this week ten matchup between the Louisville Cardinals and Clemson Tigers, with a 7:30 ET kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC. The Tigers are the heavy favorite at -10.5 points, with the over/under line set at 61.5 points. Louisville enters the game with a 5-3 record, while Clemson is 6-1 on the season.

Louisville vs. Clemson Key Information

Louisville enters Week 10 against Clemson with a 5-3 record, ranking 17th in our power rankings. They have a 98.9% chance of becoming bowl-eligible but only a 0.1% chance of winning the Atlantic Coast. The Cardinals are 2-2 on the road and 2-1 at home this season.

Louisville’s average scoring margin is +12, but they are 2-5 against the spread. They’ve gone 0-3 ATS on the road and 2-2 at home, with a 2-3 record as the favorite.

The over/under line for this week is 61.5 points, higher than their average line of 54.5. Louisville’s over/under record is 5-2, with their games averaging 61.2 points.

Louisville’s offense is ranked 16th in our power rankings heading into week 10, and they are averaging 36.6 points per game, placing them 17th nationally. Their passing game has been their strength, ranking 10th in passing yards per game with 302.8, and they are 12th in completions, averaging 23.2 per game.

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Tyler Shough has thrown for 2,348 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions, with a passer rating of 108. Leading receiver Ja’Corey Brooks has 799 yards and eight touchdowns. On the ground, Louisville is averaging 163.5 rushing yards per game.

Louisville’s defense, ranked 56th nationally, is allowing 24.6 points per game this season. They’ve given up an average of 222.8 passing yards per game, ranking 92nd, and 137.5 rushing yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a 98.1 passer rating against Louisville, completing 63.5% of their throws.

In their recent game against Boston College, Louisville allowed 27 points. The defense gave up 318 total yards, including 154 rushing yards on 41 attempts and 164 passing yards, while allowing three passing touchdowns.

Clemson enters Week 10 with a 6-1 record and a 4-0 mark at home as they prepare to face Louisville. They are ranked 13th in our power rankings and have a 100% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. However, their chances of winning the Atlantic Coast stand at 22.9%, while they have a 33.1% shot at making the playoff.

The Tigers have been favored in six of their seven games this season, going 6-0 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +19 points, and they are 4-3 against the spread, with a 3-1 record at home and a 1-2 mark on the road.

This week’s over/under line is set at 61.5 points, compared to an average line of 53 points for Clemson’s games. They have a 3-3-1 over/under record, with their games averaging 65 points per contest.

Clemson’s offense is averaging 42 points per game heading into week 10, ranking 4th in our offensive power rankings. Quarterback Cade Klubnik has thrown for 1,836 yards with a passer rating of 117. He has 20 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions, completing 66.7% of his passes.

Clemson is 48th in passing attempts per game, but 29th in completions, averaging 290.6 passing yards per game. They are also averaging 201 rushing yards per game. Phil Mafah leads the ground attack with 692 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry. Antonio Williams is the top receiver with 393 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Heading into their matchup with Louisville, Clemson’s defense is ranked 31st nationally, allowing 23 points per game. They’ve given up 218 passing yards per game (86th) and 133 rushing yards per contest. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 56% of their passes, posting a passer rating of 81.7 against Clemson’s defense.

In their recent game against Virginia, Clemson allowed 31 points but limited the Cavaliers to just 18 rushing yards on 28 attempts. Virginia threw the ball 41 times, completing 24 passes for 281 yards. Clemson’s defense also forced two interceptions in the game.

Our projected final score for this week 10 matchup between Clemson and Louisville is 34-21 in favor of Clemson. With Clemson as -10.5 point favorites, we like their chances to cover the spread.

For the over/under, with the line set at 61.5 points, we recommend taking the under, as our model projects a combined 55 points.

No. 11 Clemson Prepares for Challenge Against Louisville

The 11th-ranked Clemson Tigers, riding a six-game winning streak, will host the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday, aiming to keep their strong momentum in the ACC. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney knows his team is in for a fight, as the Cardinals (5-3, 3-2 ACC) arrive in South Carolina with a reputation for resilience and a powerful offense.

Louisville is fresh off a thrilling 31-27 comeback win against Boston College, overcoming a 20-0 deficit to secure one of the largest comebacks in program history. Clemson will need to be at their best to fend off a Cardinals team that excels in high-pressure situations.

A Battle of High-Octane Offenses

Both Clemson and Louisville possess potent offenses that rank at the top of the ACC. Clemson averages 490.4 yards per game, closely followed by Louisville with 460. This matchup promises plenty of fireworks, as both teams bring elite playmakers and explosive scoring abilities.

“We’re in for a test,” Swinney told reporters. “Louisville has shown they can score on anyone and can stay competitive in close games. They put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses, and we have to be sharp in every area.”

Louisville has lost three games this season, each by a margin of seven points or fewer, and all against currently ranked teams, highlighting their tenacity and competitiveness.

Louisville’s Offensive Standouts: Shough and Brooks

Leading the charge for Louisville is quarterback Tyler Shough, a seasoned seventh-year senior who transferred from Texas Tech. Despite a career marred by injuries, Shough has managed to stay healthy this season, ranking third in the ACC and ninth nationally with 2,348 passing yards. Shough has delivered four 300-yard passing performances, including 332 yards and two touchdowns on 28-of-38 passing in last week’s victory over Boston College.

Shough’s go-to receiver has been Ja’Corey Brooks, a standout senior transfer from Alabama. Brooks leads the ACC with 799 receiving yards and has scored eight touchdowns. Together, Shough and Brooks create a dynamic duo that can stretch defenses and dominate through the air. The ground game is bolstered by freshman Isaac Brown, who rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns last week, earning his second ACC Rookie of the Week title. With 649 rushing yards this season, Brown is on track to become one of Louisville’s top freshman rushers.

Clemson’s Consistency and Balanced Attack

After a season-opening 34-3 loss to then-No. 1 Georgia, Clemson has found its rhythm, scoring at least 29 points in every game since and reaching 40 or more in five of their last six. The Tigers (6-1, 5-0 ACC) are coming off a bye week, giving them extra time to rest and prepare after a 48-31 victory over Virginia on Oct. 19. In that game, sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 308 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, showing continued growth and leadership.

Klubnik has quietly put together an impressive season, completing 66% of his passes for 1,836 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. His ability to spread the ball around makes Clemson’s offense difficult to predict, with five players recording over 220 receiving yards. On the ground, Phil Mafah leads with 682 rushing yards and six touchdowns, complementing Clemson’s potent passing game.

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Louisville’s Uphill Battle Against Clemson

Louisville has yet to beat Clemson since joining the ACC, with all eight matchups ending in Clemson’s favor. Notably, four of these games have been decided by six points or fewer, suggesting that Louisville can keep pace with the Tigers. Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm acknowledged the challenge but remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

“We’re getting them while they’re hot, so we’ll get their best shot,” Brohm said. “Clemson is a tough team, but we’re ready for this opportunity.”

Keys to the Game

• Clemson’s Defensive Discipline: Clemson’s defense must contain Louisville’s balanced attack. If they allow Shough and Brooks to connect consistently, it could open the door for Brown’s ground game.
• Limit Mistakes and Turnovers: Both teams need to avoid costly turnovers. Clemson’s Klubnik has been efficient, but his decision-making will be tested by a Louisville defense that thrives under pressure.
• Contain Shough and Brooks: Louisville’s offensive engine relies heavily on the connection between Shough and Brooks. Clemson’s secondary will be tasked with disrupting this tandem and forcing the Cardinals into third-and-long situations.

Game Outlook

With both offenses firing on all cylinders, Saturday’s game is poised to be a shootout between two of the ACC’s top teams. Clemson’s home-field advantage and bye week preparation could give them an edge, but Louisville’s knack for close games suggests this one may come down to the wire. If the Tigers can control the game’s tempo and establish an early lead, they stand a strong chance of extending their win streak and defending their unbeaten home record against Louisville.