The Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide will meet in the College Football National Championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11. Alabama offers a convenient heel for the game with the Nick Saban-led team dominating the college football landscape for years now. Clemson has spent the early years of the new millenium toiling in mediocrity until Dabo Swinney came on board and has made the team a national powerhouse. ‘Bama last won the national title in 2012 compared to Clemson who have not been the top team in the nation since 1981.
- Clemson is 1-3 ATS in their last four games against SEC opponents.
- Alabama is 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four games against the ACC.
- The OVER is 7-3 in Clemson’s past 10 games.
Despite a combined 27-1 record this season, Alabama and Clemson have been stay away bets all season with each team going 8-6 and 7-7 ATS respectively. After starting the season a lowly 3-5 ATS, Alabama has gone on to cover five of their last six games. Clemson has covered in their last two games with an average scoring margin of +14 points.
Alabama is coming off a complete joke of a semi-final game as they slapped Michigan State 38-0. Though much has been made of Heisman Sportsbook Derrick Henry’s play this season, as he has 25 rushing touchdowns this season, quarterback Jake Coker has saved his best play for the end of the season. The senior signal caller has completed 74.7 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the past four games.
Bama’s defense has been the same as always—one of the best in the nation. The Tide have only given up 14.4 points per game this season, which is third best in the nation, and have only twice allowed an opponent to score 20 or more points.
Clemson had a bit of a cakewalk themselves in their semi-finals as they bowled over Oklahoma 37-17. The Tigers remain undefeated this season and have a scoring differential of +18.3 through their 14 games so far.
Clemson’s offense goes through Deshaun Watson. The sophomore quarterback, and second runner-up in the Heisman vote, has thrown for 31 touchdowns while adding another 12 with his feet. Clemson’s offense uses a lot of options for Watson, which allows the quarterback to throw or tuck the ball as a designed runner.
It will likely be priority number one for the Clemson’s defense to stop Henry, but their front seven will need to generate pressure on Coker as well as the senior has proven he can be the focal point of the offense when needed. Clemson’s D ranked fourth in the nation with sacks and their front seven did a great job in the Orange Bowl game by harassing Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the Clemson Tigers as 5.5-point underdogs on the Sportsbook betting line for this contest. Watch for over-under updates and superior underdogs lines at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer score prediction models pick a possible 40-38 win for Alabama on Monday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Clemson Tigers currently sport a record of 14-0, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 7-7 ATS. The Alabama Crimson Tide are 13-1 and 8-6 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Clemson Tigers post a 8-6 over under record this season, while the Alabama Crimson Tide have gone 5-8-1 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Clemson vs Alabama injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Clemson Tigers at No. 8 and the Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 5 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Clemson's No. 16-ranked offense, averaging 38.36 PPG, against a Alabama defense that ranks No. 1 this week at 13.36 PPG. The Clemson aerial game is averaging 283.79 yards per game, more than the Alabama Crimson Tide secondary allows through the air, 185.93 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Alabama Crimson Tide own the league's No. 7-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 101.25 yards per game when on the road. Clemson, on the other hand, rates No. 50 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for the the Spartans, they were scorched by Calvin Ridley for 138 receiving yards against the Crimson Tide in a 38-0 loss at AT&T Stadium.
Wayne Gallman ran through the Oklahoma defense for 150 yards in Clemson's last game, handing the Sooners a 37-17 setback on Thursday at Sun Life Stadium.
- Alabama is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Clemson is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Clemson is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Clemson's last 10 games
