The seventh-ranked Clemson Tigers will look to win their third consecutive Orange Bowl when they face the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in the 2022 Orange Bowl on Friday. The Tigers (11-2), who defeated North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game, have won their last two appearances in the Orange Bowl, a 40-35 win over Ohio State in 2013, and a 37-17 victory over Oklahoma in 2015. The Volunteers (10-2), who placed second in the SEC East, are 1-3 in past Orange Bowl games, including a 42-17 loss to Nebraska in 1998, the last time they played in the game. Tennessee leads the all-time series 11-6-2.
The game from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. Tennessee is allowing 23.5 points per game this season, 45th-best in FBS, while Clemson gives up 20.1, 17th-best. The Tigers are favored by 5 points in the Tennessee vs. Clemson odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 61. Before making any Clemson vs. Tennessee picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Clemson vs. Tennessee and just locked in its picks and Orange Bowl 2022 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and trends for Tennessee vs. Clemson:
- Tennessee vs. Clemson spread: Clemson -5
- Tennessee vs. Clemson over/under: 61 points
- Tennessee vs. Clemson money line: Tennessee +170, Clemson -205
- TENN: The Volunteers are 4-0 against the spread in their last four Friday games
- CLEM: The Tigers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 bowl games
- Tennessee vs. Clemson picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Clemson can cover
Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik will make his first career start for the Tigers and will look to become the fifth consecutive Clemson quarterback to win his first start (Deshaun Watson in 2014, Kelly Bryant in 2017, Trevor Lawrence in 2018 and DJ Uiagalelei in 2020). Klubnik didn't miss a beat in the ACC Championship Game when he entered in a relief role of Uiagalelei, completing 20 of 24 passes (83.3%) for 279 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown, carrying seven times for 30 yards (4.3 average). In parts of nine games this season, Klubnik was 31 of 46 passing (67.4%) with two touchdowns. He was intercepted once and compiled a rating of 146.2. Uiagalelei has since committed to transfer to Oregon State.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Trotter led the team with 80 tackles, including 45 solo, with 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, five pass breakups and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He was a beast in the ACC Championship Game against North Carolina, making nine stops, including seven solo, with three sacks. A week earlier at South Carolina, Trotter made eight tackles, including six solo, with two sacks.
Why Tennessee can cover
Joe Milton III will be Tennessee's quarterback after Hendon Hooker tore his ACL late in the regular season. Two of Tennessee's best receivers -- Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman -- have both opted out of this game, so look for the Vols to try and establish the run game. Junior running back Jabari Small and sophomore Jaylen Wright are a solid one-two punch in the Volunteers' running game. Wright carried 135 times for a team-high 786 yards (5.8 average) and 10 touchdowns. He had a season-long 83-yard run in a 56-0 win at Vanderbilt on Nov. 26. In that game, he carried five times for 160 yards and two touchdowns. He carried 23 times for 96 yards (4.2 average) and two scores in a 63-6 win over Akron on Sept. 17.
Small finished the regular season with 144 carries for 696 yards (4.8 average) and 12 touchdowns. He had a season-long run of 52 yards, also at Vanderbilt. In the win over the Commodores, Small carried 11 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns. A week earlier in a loss at South Carolina, he carried 11 times for 80 yards and one touchdown. His best game was a 22-carry, 127-yard and two-touchdown performance at No. 25 LSU on Oct. 8. Tennessee's job on offense will be a little easier with Clemson NFL prospects defensive end Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson opting out.
How to make Tennessee vs. Clemson picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 56 points. It also says one side of the spread hits in 70% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Clemson vs. Tennessee in the Orange Bowl 2022? And which side of the spread hits 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $2,500 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
