Thanks to a “committee” commitment to position a one-loss non-conference champion in the college football playoff, Big Ten leader Ohio State misses out on the fun and we’re headed for a third (in a row) Sugar Bowl meeting between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers.
The good news, is that this game will be an entertaining one, because if there is one squad that take it to Alabama it’s the Clemson Tigers. The last two national championships are a testament to this, as the two programs combined to put on an intense battle. Clemson beat Alabama 35-31 in the 2017 Sugar Bowl, while the 2016 edition was a higher scoring affair, with a final game score of 45-40 in favor of Alabama.
Who will split the difference by taking a win this New Years Day? Register to bet and wager with your pick on the 2018 NCAA College Football National Championship.
Betting Preview for the Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers – Sugar Bowl Game on Jan 1 2018
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
When: Monday, January 1 2018, 8:45 PM EST
Line: Alabama Crimson Tide (-3) vs Clemson Tigers (+3) – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide -3 (11-1)
Last year, the Crimson Tide entered the national championship with an undefeated record, taking down eight ranked teams in the process before handing Washington a semifinal defeat by a score of 24-7. Alabama seemed to be unstoppable, until they were, falling short of a national title as Clemson claimed a nail biting 35-31 victory.
This year may be different, with their starting QB stepping up his ground game. While Alabama closed out the season in a 26-14 loss to No. 6 Auburn with QB Jalen Hurts throwing for just 112 yards and a single TD, the quarterback managed to lead the team in rushing with 18 carries for 82 yards on the game. If his team backs up his own ground play we could be looking at the difference maker in the 2018 edition of the Sugar Bowl, even if Clemson’s veteran defense will look to slow down Jalen Hurts-inspired attack.
Alabama is 5-7 against the spread for the 2017 season.
Betting on the vs Clemson Tigers +3 (12-1)
The Clemson Tigers demolished six ranked teams this season, including a key win over the same Auburn Tigers that handed the single defeat to their national championship foe, Alabama.
Most of the credit for the season goes to dual-threat quarterback Kelly Bryant, who completed over 67 percent of his passes, a stat that equated a total of 2,678 yards and 13 touchdowns this year, in addition to another 646 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rusher. Dual-threat indeed.
Flanking Kelly Bryant on the ground is running back Travis Etienne who boasts 744 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, and running back Tavien Feaster with 659 yards and seven TDs.
One concern for the Clemson Tigers, is that while Alabama made an offensive improvement in 2017, Clemson lost some key 2017 title-winning contributors on offense as they enter the 2018 Sugar Bowl. Still, the defensive end remains to be a veteran and elite force. And Kelly Bryant? He’s simply a madman on a mission, transition year (offense) be damned.
Clemson is 8-4-1 against the spread for the 2017 season.
Writer’s Prediction
The combined talents of Kelly Bryant and a veteran defense that already brick-walled the Crimson Tide last year will see Clemson claim another win. But this game will be as close as expected, with a single field goal being the difference maker. Pick: Clemson Tigers (-3)
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