Sugar Bowl
Betting Pick: Ohio State vs. Clemson
In this
crazy, unpredictable, and bizarre season, there were no crashers to the College
Football Playoff. Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State have combined for 13
appearances and five titles in the College Football Playoff era.
The 10-1
Clemson Tigers meet the 6-0 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The
winner will advance to a spot in the championship game against the winner
between Alabama and Notre Dame. Clemson has won the previous two playoff
meetings with Ohio State.
CLOSE
OUT THE YEAR WITH A BANG AT 1VICE.AG
Ohio State
Preview: Small Sample Size
The
Buckeyes were only able to play five of their eight scheduled Big Ten
regular-season games. The conference originally required a minimum of six games
to qualify for the Big Ten Championship Game. The league relented, noting that
Ohio State, even with a sixth game loss, would have won the Big Ten East.
Ohio State
defeated Northwestern 22-10 to capture the conference crown and set the stage
for a playoff appearance. Despite some complaints about Ohio State's limited
schedule, the College Football Playoff Committee seeded the Buckeyes third.
Although
its body of work was limited, Ohio State cruised through its schedule. The
Buckeyes averaged almost 42.5 points a game, seventh in the country.
Defensively, they gave up an average of 21 points, 26th nationally.
Editor’s
Choice > NHL
2020-21 Stanley Cup Futures
Ohio State
runs a balanced offense, averaging 253 passing yards and 276 rushing yards a
game, totaling 529 yards. Quarterback Justin Fields completes 73 percent of his
passes as well as running for 46 yards a game. Most of those numbers were run
up against a weak schedule.
Against
Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State rushed for 399 yards.
Fields tossed a pair of interceptions, and the Buckeyes only got into the end
zone twice.
Northwestern
had been giving up 122 yards on the ground, so that rushing total was
impressive for both bettors and handicappers.
Clemson
Preview: It's the Trevor Lawrence Show
In
Clemson's only loss of the season against Notre Dame, quarterback Trevor
Lawrence was sidelined due to COVID-19 concerns. Clemson was held to under 50
rushing yards in that 47-40 overtime defeat.
The rematch
was a different story, with Lawrence passing for 322 yards and adding another
90 with his feet.
For the
season, the Tigers average 508 yards a game in total offense. The bigger story
for Clemson is its stingy defense.
Clemson
allows 199 yards passing and 100 yards rushing per game. In the ACC
Championship Game, the Irish were limited to just 44 yards rushing.
Clemson has
played in five of the six playoffs and advanced to the championship game four
times. This is an experienced team and coaching staff, although offensive
coordinator Tony Elliott will not be available due to COVID-19.
The Tigers
are looking to avenge last season's 42-25 loss to LSU in the championship and
send Lawrence to the NFL as a national champion.
We missed
going 2-0 on our last free pick, losing on the hook on our Chiefs
at Buccaneers betting preview.
Betting
Lines and Odds
Clemson is
favored by 7.5 points, and the over/under is 66.5 points. On the moneyline,
Clemson has odds of -300, and Ohio State is at +240 for a winning bet.
For the
season, the Tigers are 5-6 and the Buckeyes are 3-3 against the spread. Both
teams are slightly above .500 on the over/under, with Clemson at 6-5 and Ohio
State at 3-2-1.
Game
Preview and Prediction
With its
offensive prowess, Ohio State is always a threat to score a lot of points.
However, the Buckeyes' big wins were over Indiana and Northwestern, two teams
that lack the speed of Clemson. The Buckeyes will be taking a big step up in
class against the Tigers.
While Ohio
State is balanced on offense, Clemson is equally tough on defense. The Tigers
bottled up Notre Dame and should be able to contain Fields. When Lawrence is on
the mark, Clemson rolls.
Take
Clemson, give the points, and take the under.
Prediction:
Clemson 31, Ohio State 20.
Miss last
week’s NFL action? No worries, we have your back. Go check out NFL
Week 16 by the numbers.