JAN 04 - College Football Championship SU Pick Alabama Vs Clemson

College Football Championship SU Picks: Alabama Vs Clemson

Written by on January 4, 2017

We are now a matter of days away from the end of the college football season, which means we are about to crown the National Champion. I almost said new champion there, but there is a better than average chance that the Alabama Crimson Tide may well retain the crown that they won last year against this very same Clemson Tigers team. It is sometimes a little disappointing when we get the same two team going head to head for all the marbles in a second consecutive season, but anyone who watch last year’s title game is probably frothing at the mouth a little at the prospect of a rematch even half as good as what we got last year. The time has come to start thinking about how to play this game in terms of wagering, and we are going to look at it from a couple of different angles. With this piece, we will just be figuring out the SU winner, while another article will see us break down the ATS pick.

Analyzing The College Football Championship SU Pick: Crimson Tide Vs Tigers

When: Monday, January 9 at 8 PM EST Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa TV: ESPN Radio: Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network Live Stream: Watch ESPN NCAAF Odds: TBA  

Why bet on the Alabama Crimson Tide

It’s hard to bet against a team that has gone 14-0 on the season, and even harder when that team is coach by Nick Saban. He has turned this program around in his tenure, going a staggering 118-18 in that time, and winning 4 national championships in the process. If there is a downside heading into this game for Alabama Crimson Tide, it is that they will be playing without offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin on the sideline, as he has left by mutual consent to concentrate on his new head coaching gig at FAU. Steve Sarkisian will fill those shoes, which some may see as an advantage for Alabama, simply because Clemson have no idea what his offensive strategy will be.

Why bet on the Clemson Tigers

The Tigers are looking for the ultimate revenge in this one, and will also be looking to send start QB DeShaun Watson off to the NFL draft in the best way possible. After not looking particularly great at times in the early part of the season, the Tigers have started rolling, averaging 43 PPG in their last 3 outings, which included a 31-0 win over Ohio State in the playoff semi-final. That performance was as dominating as the score suggests, and another defensive performance like that against Alabama may just be enough to get this team the national title that it craves. While the OC switch in Alabama could serve as a disadvantage, Clemson may look at it as a positive, as you have to wonder how the offense, and QB Jalen Hurts in particular, are going to react to the change.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

While I’m not so sure we will see a repeat of the classic we got last year when Alabama won 45-40, I do think we are going to get another very good game with a similar outcome.

Alabama Crimson Tide 30 Clemson Tigers 24