Apologies for the cheesy puns, but who else woke up feeling the Cheeziest? See what I did there? Clemson vs. Iowa State in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl has us aged and ready for our latest pick and prediction this bowl season. No matter which way you slice it, the Cheez-It Bowl is fine college football. Grab the crackers, boys and girls, and nestle in. You’re in for a treat.
Clemson vs. Iowa State betting odds and trends
- Opening Line: Iowa State -1 (Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Current Line: Clemson -1.5
- Over/Under: 44
- Moneyline: Clemson -125, Iowa State +105
The Iowa State Cyclones are as experienced as they come. It’s no surprise they opened this game as a 1-point favorite. Despite Clemson’s dominance over the past decade, their 2021 season was a disappointment. Now, only a few teams would say a 9-3 record and one game out of first place is a disappointment, but the Tigers are certainly one of them.
Their disappointment has also translated to the sportsbooks for avid Clemson supporters. If you’ve taken Clemson to cover the spread this season, you’ve been hit hard. They’ve covered the spread just 29.2% of the time this season despite going 9-2 as the favorite this year. Compare that to Iowa State’s 41.7% covering the spread but only a 7-4 record as the favorite.
With offense lacking an identity for Clemson and the Iowa State offense without their top playmaker in Breece Hall, this shapes up to be a defensive slugfest. The total has dropped from 45.5 to 44 points since the lines opened.
Clemson vs. Iowa State prediction
The aforementioned loss of Hall as he prepares for the 2022 NFL Draft certainly hurts the Cyclones. Iowa State literally ran through Hall this season as he set a new FBS record for consecutive games with a touchdown. Head coach Matt Campbell and Co. will have to rely heavily on the right arm and legs of QB Brock Purdy.
In what could perhaps become one final showcase game for Purdy, he’ll have to bring his A-game for all four quarters against a tough Clemson defense. Purdy has been remarkably consistent over his career but hasn’t quite lived up to what many believed was a future as an early-round draft pick. He has several elite traits and has rewritten the Iowa State record book, but the team wins haven’t quite followed.
Purdy faces a stiff test against Clemson’s back half, including likely first-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. at cornerback. Booth could cement his name as the top cornerback in the draft with a strong performance against Iowa State. Still, when it all boils down to it, the Tigers are too reliant upon their own signal-caller: DJ Uiagalelei. He may have the talent, but he certainly hasn’t utilized it all too well in his first year as the full-time starter.
Campbell, Purdy, and the Cyclones emerge victorious as the world finally learns what Jirehl Brock has to offer. The former four-star running back recruit was once the top player in the state of Illinois. This has breakout game written all over it.
Clemson vs. Iowa State Cheez-It Bowl Prediction: Iowa State 27, Clemson 17