Big cats rule the jungle, and this Saturday afternoon, the Clemson Tigers and Pittsburgh Panthers will prowl the 100 yards of Acrisure Stadium, each intent on claiming ACC supremacy. Who will emerge victorious?
Our Clemson vs. Pittsburgh preview covers it all—from the latest betting odds to what’s on the line for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the 2024 college football season.
Clemson vs. Pittsburgh Betting Preview
All Clemson vs. Pittsburgh odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Clemson -6 - Spread
Clemson -11.5 - Moneyline
Clemson -440, Pittsburgh +340 - Over/Under
52 points - Game Time
Noon ET - Location
Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh, PA - Predicted Weather at Kick
55 degrees, partly cloudy, 6 mph winds - How To Watch
ESPN
Pittsburgh and Clemson have both beat up on poor competition, winning just three combined games over teams with winning records. That’s typically okay, but these teams have also lost four games to teams with winning records. One team will buck that trend this season.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
With a total of 53 points and a spread of 12 points, Vegas implies a final score close to 33-20 in favor of the Tigers.
Clemson’s Winning Probability
Per CFN’s Football Playoff Meter, the Tigers are favored in their final three games, though the games against Pittsburgh and South Carolina are expected to be closer. Clemson has a 65.7% chance to win Saturday per FPM.
- at Pittsburgh: 65.7%
- vs. The Citadel: 99.9%
- vs. South Carolina: 65.1%
If those win probabilities were to hold true, Clemson would end the season with a 10-2 record, including a 7-1 ACC campaign. Currently, that wouldn’t be enough to secure the Tigers a spot in the ACC Championship Game due to their record against common conference opponents compared to the Miami Hurricanes. As such, they don’t control their own destiny.
Pittsburgh’s Winning Probability
Conversely, Pittsburgh has a 34.3% chance of beating the Tigers at home. The Panthers have a back-loaded schedule, meaning this year could slip away from them if they’re not careful.
- vs. Clemson: 34.3%
- at Louisville: 31.2%
- at Boston College: 51.8%
If those win probabilities were to hold true, Pittsburgh would end the year with an 8-4 record, including a 4-4 ACC campaign. Although a season of great possibilities lacked stamina down the stretch, it would still mark a significant turnaround from 2023.
Prediction for Clemson vs. Pittsburgh
The recent struggles of both teams have turned this into a surprisingly compelling matchup. Historically, it was Pittsburgh’s scrappy, underdog squads that gave Clemson fits during their reign over the ACC—even in seasons when the Panthers weren’t at their best.
Now, it’s fair to question whether either of these teams deserves national recognition. Both have padded their records against the ACC’s weaker teams, but as the competition has stiffened, the flaws have become glaringly apparent.
Even Clemson’s 24-14 win over a mediocre 5-5 Virginia Tech team feels hollow. The Tigers were completely shut out in the first half and only managed to find their footing after the break.
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So, what happens when these two face off?
Louisville and SMU exploited weaknesses in Clemson’s and Pittsburgh’s defenses, respectively, by relentlessly attacking on the ground. The big question is whether either offense can stay ahead of the chains long enough to commit to the run.
Desmond Reid has been quiet for Pitt, while Phil Mafah has been steady for Clemson—but defenses are stacking the box to make the Tigers uncomfortable through the air.
Clemson’s hopes rest largely on Cade Klubnik. He’s competent, but he’s not the kind of quarterback who can carry the offense without help. The Tigers need their playmakers to deliver.
Looking ahead to Saturday, I expect Garrett Riley and the Clemson staff to make a deliberate effort to involve freshmen T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. more in the passing game. Clemson might stumble early—as they often have—but Pittsburgh’s offense likely won’t be able to generate much against the Tigers’ stout defensive front.
As for betting, the 10-point spread feels about right. Unless the line moves closer, it’s hard to justify betting on the spread, as a Clemson win in the 10-13 point range seems most probable.
That said, don’t anticipate fireworks early. This game has all the makings of a low-scoring grind, making the under a safer play while steering clear of the spread for now.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Pittsburgh 16
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