Clemson vs. App State picks, prediction, 2024 college football odds, lines

Expert picks and predictions for Clemson vs. Appalachian State in this Week 2 college football game.

What the experts predict as the Clemson Tigers host the Appalachian State Mountaineers in college football's Week 2 action on Saturday. / Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Coming off an ugly loss to the No. 1 team in the country, the Clemson Tigers return to Death Valley in search of their first win of the season in the 2024 season home opener against the Appalachian State Mountaineers in college football's Week 2 action on Saturday.

• Clemson dropped a 31-point decision to Georgia last week in which the offense failed to score a touchdown, bringing Dabo Swinney under fire yet again
• App State is looking to gain ground as the Group of Five's potential playoff team, coming off a 38-10 win over East Tennessee State

What do the experts think of the matchup? Let's see how the College Football Power Index computer prediction model is projecting the game.

Clemson vs. App State picks, predictions

Clemson odds

As expected, the simulations are favoring Clemson in the home opener, with a strong 81.6 percent chance to win the game outright.

Appalachian State odds

Conversely, the Mountaineers are projected to win the game in the remaining 18.4 percent of the computer's simulations.

Point spread

Clemson is the 17 point favorite against Appalachian State, according to the lines at FanDuel Sportsbook, which set the total at 52.5 points for the game.

Clemson predictions

The computer expects Clemson will win 7.9 games this season and sits in third-place among ACC teams with a 12.7 percent chance to win the conference championship.

That includes an expected 14.6 percent chance to qualify for the College Football Playoff, also third in the ACC, but with a 1 percent shot to play for the national championship.

App State predictions

The index projects the Mountaineers will win 6.9 games this season and ranks fourth among Sun Belt teams with a 9.5 percent chance to win the conference title.

Score projection?

The index suggests that Clemson will be 11.5 points better than Appalachian State on the same field in both teams' current composition, not enough to cover this line.

Clemson vs. App State game time, schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 7
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern
TV: ACC Network

College Football Power Index

Football Power Index (FPI) college football rankings and computer prediction model are a measure of team strength that predicts a team’s future performance. 

Rankings and scores predictions are based on 20,000 simulations of a team’s season and games, using a combination of key analytics, including scores to date, quality of opponents, team talent, recruiting, and a team’s schedule.

Teams are ranked not in order of talent like in other rankings, but by a projected point margin per game against an average team on a neutral field.

AP top 25 rankings

First-place votes in parentheses

1. Georgia (57)
2. Ohio State (5)
3. Texas
4. Alabama
5. Notre Dame
6. Ole Miss
7. Oregon
8. Penn State
9. Missouri
10. Michigan
11. Utah
12. Miami
13. USC
14. Tennessee
15. Oklahoma
16. Oklahoma State
17. Kansas State
18. LSU
19. Kansas
20. Arizona
21. Iowa
22. Louisville
23. Georgia Tech
24. NC State
25. Clemson

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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