2019 National Championship Game Spread: Clemson vs. Alabama Odds, Prediction
Is a fourth straight Alabama-Clemson meeting good or bad for college football? It seemed to be well-received in the NBA the past four seasons when the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers met in the NBA Finals. TV ratings and betting action were through the roof.
College Football National Championship Betting Analysis
There’s simply no denying that the Tide and Tigers are the class of college football in every way right now: Facilities, financial backing from boosters, recruiting, the two best coaches in Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney – who is a former Alabama player. Perhaps the only program within shouting distance of these two schools is Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are also the only other school to win a title in the five-year College Football Playoff era. They did so in Year 1. Alabama beat Clemson in a thrilling game following the 2015 season, and the Tigers returned the favor in an even better game following the 2016 season. Bama knocked out top-ranked Clemson in last year’s semifinals and then beat Georgia in an epic title game.
Believe it or not, the No. 1 team entering the national semifinals has yet to win it all. OSU was No. 4 as was last year’s version of the Tide. The No. 2 seed won it the other two years. The winner Monday will be the first school in the NCAA’s top division (FBS) to win 15 games since late in the 19th Century (Penn in 1897). That’s somewhat of a trick statistic because FBS schools don’t play that many games these days.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson was -10.5 in its semifinal against No. 3 Notre Dame and took control after the teams were tied 3-3 after one, eventually winning 30-3. True freshman QB Trevor Lawrence, who figures to be Tua’s top Heisman competition next season, completed 27 of 39 for 327 yards and three scores against a much better defence than Tua faced in the semis. Clemson reached 620 points on the season, becoming only the second school in ACC history to reach that mark. The Tigers also rushed for 236 yards and have set a school record with 3,613 yards on the ground.
Clemson has scored at least 27 points in every game this season and won 12 of them by at least 20 points, including the past nine. The Tigers also had six sacks vs. Notre Dame despite playing without All-American tackle Dexter Lawrence. He was suspended for a positive drug test and isn’t expected to play vs. Alabama, either, barring a miracle appeal. Notre Dame’s three points were the fewest in school history in a bowl game.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Another title here would be the seventh for Saban (one at LSU), which would break a tie with legendary Tide coach Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most in FBS history. Alabama was a 14.5-point favourite over No. 4 Oklahoma and Heisman winner Kyler Murray in the semifinals and the Tide rolled to a 45-34 win. Score a bit misleading as Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead.
All season, Crimson Tide QB Tua Tagovailoa was the Heisman favourite, but he lost that award when he struggled in the SEC title game and left injured. Tua clearly took that personally vs. Murray and the Sooners in completing 24 of 27 for 318 yards and four touchdowns. He also showed no issues with the ankle he sprained in that SEC Championship Game. One injury to note vs. Oklahoma was starting linebacker Christian Miller. He left with a hamstring injury but the school is confident he’ll play vs. Clemson. He’s second on the team with 8.5 sacks and tied for the team lead with 12 quarterback pressures.
