The national championship game is finally here for college football and we have a rematch on the schedule between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. The college football odds for the game have Alabama favored to pick up another national crown.
College Football Odds
Alabama -7
Total: 50.5 points
Last year’s game was one of the better national championships in college football, Alabama lifted its fourth title in seven seasons in a 45-40 contest. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson had 478 combined yards in the game, the most in a national title game. He was once again a Heisman finalist this season and Watson is back to beat the Crimson Tide this time around. The Tigers scored a pair of touchdowns late in the fourth quarter in last year’s game, but it still wasn’t enough to come back and win the school’s first national championship since 1981, when Danny Ford led the Tigers to a win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.
This game is going to be fantastic, based on paper. Alabama is once again the pride of the Southeast and has been beating everyone up this season. The Crimson Tide certainly played a tough schedule, but outside of a 48-43 win at Ole Miss early in the season, Alabama was never really tested. Last week they beat Washington 24-7 in the national semifinals in a game where the Huskies scored first, but it never really felt like Alabama was in any danger.
Clemson whacked Ohio State 31-0 and this year they have playmakers back that didn’t play in last year’s national championship game, especially wide receiver Mike Williams, who caught 90 passes this season, including 10 touchdowns.
Alabama is no doubt still loaded on defense and Watson has thrown too many interceptions this year (17), so their mission will be simple — put as much pressure on the Clemson quarterback as possible.
Not to be overlooked should be the departure of Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator for the Tide. Steve Sarkisian claims to be right there without any drop off, but there probably will be some uncomfortable situations just because it’s new. QB Jalen Hurts has all kinds of weapons and can certainly hurt the Tigers with his feet as well.
Alabama is going to have to cause turnovers here. Clemson can rack up all kinds of yards and last year hung 550 on the Crimson Tide. Expect Watson to have a big game and Clemson’s defense will be good enough to get them the trophy.
Free Pick: Clemson
Free Picks: Alabama vs. Clemson (National Title Game Betting)
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