This dumbass talking head just said that college football is two divisions: Alabama/Clemson, then everybody else. That part, I can agree with. But then he said Clemson will be an 18 point favorite the rest of the way out. I highly doubt we will be an 18 point underdog. Maybe, but I doubt it. Didn’t Clemson win a whole bunch of one score games last year?
Back to actually answer your question - your gut and memory is correct. 18 point lines the rest of the way is ridiculous. In 2016:
Clemson won game 1 by 6 points.
Clemson won game 2 by 6 points (they should have lost if not for a few bad calls).
Clemson won game 5 by 6 points.
Clemson was tied in regulation in game 7 and won by 7 points in OT.
Clemson won game 8 by 3 points.
Clemson lost game 10.
Clemson won game 13 by 7 points.
Clemson won game 15 by 4 points.
So there's 8 games in 2016 decided by 1 score or less.
Now having said that, I do think Clemson should have some large lines the rest of the year. The hardest part of their schedule is done:
Wake - I'd say 23 points is a little high. 18 seems strangely okay on this one.
@ Syracuse - 18+ would seem good there.
Georgia Tech - definitely not here, I'd say 14-16 ish unless we lose to both Miami and Wake before then.
@ NC State - definitely not here. If Clemson and NC State are undefeated between now and this game, I'd say Clemson and maybe 4-5 points.
Florida State - definitely not here. Maybe 7-10?
Citadel - ummm, yea. 30+
@ South Carolina - well, they beat NC State. And Missouri. But loss to Kentucky and Texas ***&M. I'd say the SEC bias keeps this line closer to 12-14.