#19 Clemson Tigers vs Iowa State Cyclones 2021 Cheez-It Bowl

Our Clemson vs Iowa State prediction for the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl is our second of three picks for Wednesday, December 29. The #19 Clemson Tigers (9-3) were 6-2 in the ACC. In the Atlantic Division, they finished tied for second with #18 NC State. Clemson ended the season with a five-game winning streak. In the Big 12, the Iowa State Cyclones (7-5) went 5-4. The Cyclones finished fourth in the conference. They come to this bowl game having won two of their last five games.

Cheez-It Bowl Spread and Totals Odds

In this game, Iowa State is the underdog at +1.0 (+100), while favored Clemson is -1.0 (-121). Note, we expect movement on this line. If you’re going with the Tigers, take them now. The total can be found at 44.0 and 44.5 with the best over being 44 (-105) and the best under 44.5 (-115). The 2021 Cheez-It Bowl will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL with kickoff at 5:45 pm ET. The weather forecast is clear with temperatures in the high 60s. Winds are projected to be 6 mph and from the south with gusts up to 12 mph. Humidity will be 80 percent. The game can be found on ESPN.

Tigers vs Cyclones Pick - Stats

ISU is out scoring Clemson 32.8-to-36.8. On the other hand, the Tigers are holding opponents to 15.0 PPG, and the Cyclones are allowing 20.6 PPG. Consequently, Iowa State is averaging 437.4 offensive yards per game, while Clemson is putting up just 363.8. Of those yards for the Cyclones, 268.8 are passing yards and 168.6 ground. Our Clemson vs Iowa State prediction notes that the Tigers are posting 171.3 rushing and 191.5 passing YPG.

Although Clemson is allowing 5.6 fewer points per game than ISU, both teams are giving up about 310 defensive YPG. The Tigers are giving up 209.3 passing yards while the Cyclones are permitting 187.8. However, in terms of the ground attack, Clemson is allowing 23 fewer yards than ISU (99.2-122.3).

Clemson vs Iowa State Prediction - Key Players

The skinny on this game is the Cyclones come to the Cheez-It Bowl depleted, as running back Breece Hall, safety Isheem Young, and corner Kym-Mani King, three top contributors, have opted out. Hall rushed for 20 TDs and 1,472 yards this season. His offensive contributions will be missed. Plus, the Cyclones have seen major turnovers in their coaching staff.

ISU quarterback Brock Purdy (2,984 YDs, 73.1 COMP%, 18 TDs, 7 INTs, 20 SCKs) is solid. Three-of-four Cyclone top pass catchers return, including WR Xavier Hutchinson (82 REC, 953 YDs, 11.6 AVG, 5 TDs). Along with being the team’s primary running back, Hall was their third most-productive pass catcher. Substituting for Hall at running back is Jirehl Brock. This season, Brock carried the ball 23 times for 132 yards and one score. Although the Iowa State secondary has been thinned, the Cyclones include Eyioma Uwazurike (8.5 SCKs) and Will McDonald IV (11.5 SCKs) in front. Linebackers Jake Hummel and Mike Rose are number one and two in tackles.

For Clemson, QB D.J. Uiagalelei (2,059 YDs, 54.7 COMP%, 9 TDs, 9 INTs, 20 SCKs) has had his issues. The Tiger receiving corps is thin. Plus, his favorite target, WR Justyn Ross (46 REC, 514 YDs, 11.2 AVG, 3 TDs) is questionable. Will Shipley and Kobe Pace head the rush attack. Together, they have posted 678 and 590 yards respectively. Shipley is averaging 5.2 YPG and Pace 6.4. Together, they’ve scored 16 times with Shipley garnering 10 TDs. On defense, corner Andrew Booth Jr. (3 PD, 2 INTs), linebacker Trenton Simpson (6 SCKs), and linebacker James Skalski (85 TCKLs, 2.5 SCKs, 4 PD) are essential contributors.

Clemson vs Iowa State Prediction

Our Clemson vs Iowa State prediction for the Cheeze-It Bowl certainly has its challenges. We do think that a fairly healthy Clemson squad will beat a depleted ISU team. Thus, we are going with favored Clemson at -1.0 (-121). We also like the under at 44.5 (-115)

Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).

2021 Cheez-It Bowl - Clemson vs Iowa State Summary

Spread - Clemson -1.0 (-121)

Over/Under - Under 44.5 (-115)