It's easy to play second fiddle against the perennially dominant Crimson Tide, but the Tigers gave no reason to doubt them in the semifinals by demolishing Oklahoma as underdogs. Clemson will only go as far as starting quarterback Deshaun Watson will take them, and he's brought the program to new heights this season.
Watson finished third in Heisman Trophy voting before his total yards of offense against the Sooners. That performance locked Watson in as the single-season leader for total offense at the school 4, yards - a truly impressive feat for a sophomore who's coming off a torn ACL. Alabama's Jake Coker is a fine quarterback, but he's simply not in the same conversation as an all-around offensive threat when compared to Watson.
The Tide's biggest strength comes at the running back position, however. Heisman Trophy-winning back Derrick Henry is in Alabama's backfield, which usually means it's going to be a long day for opposing defenses who have the unfortunate task of trying to contain him. Henry set the SEC single-season rushing mark 2, yards and has more than twice as many touchdowns as Clemson's lead back, Wayne Gallman. Both teams feature a fantastic defense, but Alabama has a slight edge on its defensive line.
Alabama finished first nationally in rushing defense 2. Alabama's defensive backs have been a weak spot for the team in years past, but the group improved by leaps and bounds in The Tide rank fifth in the nation in passes defended 6. Despite that improvement, the Tigers' secondary, led by Jayron Kearse, Mackenzie Alexander and Cordrea Tankersley, has been the more consistent unit this season and will be leaned on heavily in this game.
Leaving Tuscaloosa has not been a problem for the Tide when it comes to covering the spread this season. Oregon romped to a victory over Florida State in the Rose Bowl, winning as an 8-point favorite on the betting lines as quarterback Marcus Mariota threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score. For updated lines and totals on all of this year's bowl games head over to the college football betting boards at 5Dimes and Bovada today.
Oregon has won and covered nine straight overall while facing spreads of seven or more points eight times. Oregon is SU vs. Big Ten schools since Big Ten schools. Ohio State is ATS as an underdog since , covering six games in a row when getting a touchdown or more.
These two teams have not faced one another in recent memory. BCS Championship Game Point Spread Pick You may feel that Auburn is lucky to be in this game, but you have to give the Tigers all the credit in the world for continually finding ways to win. They may run into a bit of a wall in this contest, but you still have to bank on them coming up with enough big plays on both sides of the ball to keep things closer than 8. Skip to main content. The Crimson Tide have won low-scoring grinders and high-scoring shootouts.
They've needed a yard game-tying touchdown drive just to keep their title hopes alive. There are very few game scripts where Alabama will find itself in new territory, and that confidence in being able to overcome any in-game setback is a mental edge that powers my pick.
David Cobb : Alabama's back was against the wall when these teams met on Dec. The Crimson Tide turned in a second quarter for the ages and raced to a victory that de-legitimized Georgia's accomplishments during a dominant regular season. The nature of that loss -- with the Crimson Tide dissecting UGA's celebrated defense -- will motivate the Bulldogs, who will use what they learned to play much better defensively in the rematch.
This time, it's Georgia playing with a chip on its shoulder, and that will show as the Bulldogs finally breakthrough for the program's first national championship in over four decades. Shehan Jeyarajah : Alabama was the first team that was truly able to challenge Georgia downfield, and the results speak for themselves. While Metchie is out, Brooks proved he can be a game-breaking deep threat in the win over Cincinnati.
While Georgia will make changes and have a strong game plan heading into the Dawgs' biggest game in decades, I'm not betting against Saban in an adjustment contest. Jerry Palm : Alabama and Saban know how to do two things well: win championships and beat Georgia.
The Tide are looking for a seventh straight win over the Dawgs. Georgia got torched in the teams' first meeting in the SEC title game, but look for both teams to make adjustments for the rematch.
I trust Saban to make the better ones. Adam Silverstein: It's not often you'll get Saban and Alabama as an underdog, and while I will wait to try and get a full field goal prior to kickoff, the Tide are the right side.
Georgia opened some eyes by throttling Michigan in the semifinal, while Alabama picked up as ho-hum a point win as I can remember over Cincinnati. Anderson and Dean are a wash at linebacker. Georgia is stronger up front, but we've already seen it struggle to get after and contain Young.
Bama has the edge overall at the offensive skill positions, and we've seen more than once how defenses can wear down with playmakers taking over late. The Dawgs will have every chance to compete and potentially win this game, but my slim edge goes to the Tide. Jack Crosby : I have learned far too often to rarely bet against Saban and the Tide, no matter what the numbers from Las Vegas may suggest.
Georgia was impressive in its Orange Bowl semifinal win over Michigan, but I still can't shake the fact that it was mere weeks ago we witnessed that Alabama knows how to tame the Bulldogs when it matters the most. F1 Drivers Championship Constructors Championship. Copa Sudamericana World Cup Qualification.
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