The chances of Clemson winning vs. bookmaker college football odds dramatically increased on Wednesday when quarterback Kyle Parker decided to return.
Clemson’s starting quarterback was the first round pick of the Colorado Rockies and he was considering giving up football altogether to focus on baseball. The Tigers chances of winning vs. Internet bookmaker odds will be much better with Parker leading them.
Parker was superb last year for Clemson and his loss would have been huge for the Tigers. Last season, Clemson won the ACC Atlantic Division title and Parker was a big reason why. He threw for 2,526 yards and 20 TDs as a freshman. He had a school-record streak of seven straight games with a TD pass. The Tigers really needed him to return since C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are gone.
The Rockies wanted Parker to focus on baseball but the two sides were not able to come to a contract agreement. The Rockies have a couple more weeks to sign Parker or they lose their rights to him. Parker has decided to return to the football team for this season and head coach Dabo Swinney couldn’t be happier to have his star quarterback back on the field.
Clemson was 9-5 straight up last season and 9-5 against the Internet bookmaker odds. The Tigers can compete for the ACC title again this season but only if they have Parker. Now that they do, the Tigers can get ready for the season. They have a couple of easy games to start the season to get the new offensive players worked into the system. Clemson opens up at home against North Texas before facing Presbyterian. The first test of the season for the Tigers comes in Week 3 as they travel to Auburn. They will get a bye after that game before their conference opener at home against Miami of Florida. The following week they will have another tough game at North Carolina.
Clemson is considered a dark horse candidate to win the national championship this season. They have odds of 40-1. The Tigers get Parker back but they do have some holes to fill and those odds might be a little bit optimistic considering the Tigers are not considered a national power.