Clemson vs Auburn College Football Week 1 Free Pick

No. 2 Clemson was the only team to finish last regular season unbeaten, and the Tigers got to the national championship game, only to lose a thriller to Alabama. Many expect the Tigers to get back to the title game this year as they are second-favorites on college football lines to win it all. They have a tough test at Auburn on Saturday, however.

Here’s a Closer Look at the Clemson vs Auburn College Football Week 1 Free Pick & TV Info

Week 1 — Mindset: set of beliefs that determine behavior & outlook. What’s yours? New lock screen image for you: pic.twitter.com/U5rhH5Z7af

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 29, 2016

When: Saturday, Sept. 3, 9 PM ET Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn TV: ESPN Stream: WatchESPN Radio: Clemson / Auburn Opening NCAAF Lines: Clemson -7.5 (62.5)

Why Bet on Clemson?

Because the Tigers have Deshaun Watson! He’s the Heisman Trophy favorite and the most electrifying player in college football. Last year, he became the first player in FBS history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season. Watson was fifth nationally in completion percentage away from home (67.9) and fifth in overall completion percentage (67.8). He was third nationally among quarterbacks with 1,105 rushing yards and had five 100-yard rushing performances, all in the last six games; only Woodrow Dantzler had more among Clemson quarterbacks. A clutch player, he is 67-for-994 (.713) for 817 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the fourth quarter over his career. Clemson has nine offensive starters back, including one of the ACC’s top running backs in Wayne Gallman. Last year, he posted a Clemson single-season high 1,527 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had 21 catches for 213 yards and a score. Gallman’s 1,740 yards from scrimmage were most by any player in Clemson history, passing C.J. Spiller’s record of 1,715 in 2009. His 283 carries were most in a season in Clemson history. The Tigers to have to rebuild on defense with only four starters back. One projected starter, sophomore defensive end Austin Bryant, will be sidelined several weeks with an injured foot he suffered during practice recently. Bryant had 35 tackles, two tackles for loss, four quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery, and 1.5 sacks in 13 games last season. In last season’s Capital One Orange Bowl, Bryant came off the bench for the injured Shaq Lawson and had eight tackles including half a sack on 63 snaps.

Why Bet on Auburn?

Auburn has to have a good season or Coach Gus Malzahn is a goner. But the team won’t have its projected starting running back in Jovon Robinson as he was kicked off the team in early August Malzahn said he dismissed Robinson, the team’s returning starter and one of the best offensive skill players because, “He did not meet my standards or expectations of what it takes to be an Auburn Tiger football player.” Robinson, who missed five games due to an ankle injury in 2015, rushed for 639 yards rushing and three touchdowns. In addition, starting defensive back Stephen Roberts is suspended for this game. He was arrested last week on misdemeanor charges for an unlicensed firearm and attempting eluding of an officer. Roberts was expected to start at free safety for the Tigers after he closed last year with four straight starts. Sean White won Auburn’s three-way QB battle in camp. After getting his feet wet as a redshirt freshman last fall, White (6-0, 200) will be expected to lead an offense that suffers from some inexperience at both the running back and wide receiver positions. White was the youngest of the three quarterbacks who were competing for the job. Senior wide receiver Marcus Davis said the team is confident in what White, who threw for 1,167 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions last season, brings to the offense. “He’s really intelligent, and you know he knows the offense,” Davis said. Auburn leads the all-time series with Clemson, by a 34-13- 2 advantage. Auburn leads 20-4 in games played at Auburn, 10-6- 1 in games played at Clemson and 4-3- 1 in games played in a neutral setting. Auburn has won seven straight games at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the series since its last home loss to Clemson in 1950.

My Free Pick

Clemson is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in September. Clemson is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games. Auburn is 1-8 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games. Auburn is 1-10 ATS in their last 11 home games. Give the points on NCAA football lines and over the total.