The top-ranked Clemson Tigers are taking on the Oklahoma Sooners Thursday in the Orange Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Sooners favored to pick up the win and advance to the title game.
Clemson has been No. 1 for a good chunk of the season, but coming into this game the fourth-ranked Sooners are favored to pick up the win. Oklahoma has been very solid all season, the lone loss was to Texas in a rivalry game that saw the Longhorns earn a big win. Clemson is still unbeaten on the season and is looking to become the first team to finish with a 15-0 record if they can win the next two games.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield will be facing a tough task against a very sound defense. The Tigers sport the fifth-best pass defense in the country and the seventh-ranked passing efficiency defense. Mayfield threw for 35 touchdowns and 3,400 yards this season, he and the Sooners will need to be effective while they have the football. Sterling Shepard is his top target, the receiver caught 11 touchdowns this season.
Both the Sooners and Tigers can score, but the defenses will play big roles in this one. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson was a Heisman Trophy finalist, he threw for 30 scores while running for 11 more this season, but the Oklahoma defense is stout up front.
Oklahoma can run the football, they have an excellent defense that will look to contain Watson and the Tigers. The Clemson defense is solid as well, this looks to be a game where an early lead could prove to be a big difference for either team.
The playoffs mean each team will be playing the best competition of the season, Clemson is riding high and looking solid, if they are catching points in this one it's a solid play.
Free Pick: Clemson
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