NCAAF

Clemson Tigers vs Alabama Crimson Tide

Clemson
Tigers
13 - 1
Alabama
Crimson Tide
14 - 0
January 09, 2017, 8:00 PM EST
 | Raymond James Stadium

Game Preview

Clemson
Tigers
13 - 1
Alabama
Crimson Tide
14 - 0
January 09, 2017, 8:00 PM EST
 | Raymond James Stadium
  • It’s the national championship game we all knew we wanted. Alabama and Clemson, who were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason, meet in the first national championship game rematch in back-to-back years in the history of college football. Last season’s title game was a roller-coaster that saw the two teams combine for 40 points in the fourth quarter.

    Shark Bites
    • O.J. Howard accounted for 208 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in last season’s national championship game.
    • Clemson is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games as an underdog of 7.0 or more.
    • Alabama is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games as favorite.

    Defense, defense, defense. Alabama is one win away from a perfect season thanks to a stifling D that leads the nation in points and yards allowed while sitting third in sacks. If for some reason you doubted Alabama’s defense, you were silenced when it held Washington to 194 yards in the Peach Bowl. The defensive line features potentially the best player in college football in Jonathan Allen, as the surefire top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft has 62 tackles, 15.0 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks.

    The Tide’s offense was carried by Bo Scarbrough in the semifinals, as the sophomore rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns against the Huskies. Jalen Hurts struggled, going 7-for-14 with just 57 yards and three sacks in the Peach Bowl. It was the first time all season Hurts looked like a freshman, as he has accounted for at least two touchdowns in 10 outings this season.

    Alabama will be without Lane Kiffin, who was the team's offensive coordinator since 2014, after Nick Saban dumped him off the staff ahead of the national championship game. Kiffin had planned on coaching the Tide in the title game though he has already accepted the head coaching job for FAU, much like Kirby Smart did last year, but was dismissed after reportedly taking the task lightly.

    Clemson enters the rematch with Alabama coming off its most dominant performance of the year, as the Tigers shut out Ohio State 31-0. The Tigers defense held the Buckeyes to 215 yards and nine first downs while registering three turnovers. Even though Clemson has been largely strong stopping the run this season, opposing running backs have gashed them more than once.

    Clemson’s offense will go as far as Deshaun Watson can carry it. Watson has accounted for 46 touchdowns this season, which includes finding the end zone 17 times in the past four games. Watson had a huge game against Alabama in last season’s national championship game, as the then-sophomore threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.

    Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

    Betting fans backing the Alabama Crimson Tide here saw them at Sportsbook as -6-point favorites in this college football clash. (Check back shortly for Sportsbook totals at sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark as none was available at the time this preview was written.)

    Odds Shark college football prediction models picked a 41-33 result in favor of the Crimson Tide on Monday. Check the matchup report for any updates or pick revisions before kickoff. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.

    Clemson Tigers vs Alabama Crimson Tide Matchup

    Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

    The Clemson Tigers will look to cover ATS vs their hosts on Monday, as they are 7-7 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Alabama Crimson Tide are 10-4 ATS. Clemson is 7-7 against the over under total, while Alabama is 6-8 versus the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Alabama vs Clemson injuries news.

    The game pits the Alabama Crimson Tide, currently No. 1 in our Odds Shark NCAA Football Power Rankings, against the Clemson Tigers, who rate No. 4 in the latest survey.

    Statistical Matchup

    Offensively, the game matches up the Alabama Crimson Tide No. 15-ranked offense (39.36 PPG) against a Clemson Tigers defense that ranks No. 7 at 17.07 PPG. The Alabama Crimson Tide passing attack has averaged 212.14 yards per game, more than the Clemson Tigers give up through the air (183.79 YPG on average).

    Defensively, the Clemson Tigers feature the league's No. 7-rated road run defense, allowing 112.17 yards per game. Alabama, meanwhile, ranks No. 37 in rushing offense at home.

    Recent Outings Betting Recap

    ClemsonÆs defense kept the Buckeyes off the scoreboard last time out in a 31-0 win at University of Phoenix Stadium.

    Bo Scarbrough tore up the turf for 180 rushing yards in the latest Crimson Tide game, a 24-7 win over the Huskies at Georgia Dome.

    Betting Trends
    • Clemson is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
    • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Clemson's last 5 games
    • Alabama is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
    • Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
    • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Alabama's last 7 games

Odds

Monday, January 9 Mon Jan 9


Opening
Current

Spread
Moneyline
O/U
Opening
+6
-106
+201
o53.5
-104
-6
-106
-230
u53.5
-110
Spread
Moneyline
O/U
Current
+6.5
-105
+200
o51
-105
-6.5
-115
-240
u51
-115

Edge Finder

33.21
Total Score
41.08
225.29
Passing Yards
276.23
178.36
Rushing Yards
195.69
31:11
Time on Field
29:57
73.29
Number of Plays
68.92
5.60
Yards Per Play
6.92
33.21
Total Score
41.08
7.86
First Quarter
9.62
8.07
Second Quarter
13.38
7.43
Third Quarter
8.54
8.93
Fourth Quarter
9.00
225.29
Passing Yards
276.23
34.21
Pass Attempts
33.69
21.21
Pass Completions
21.54
1.93
Sacks
1.69
12.36
Sack Yards
11.77
10.62
Yards Per Pass
12.83
178.36
Rushing Yards
195.69
39.07
Rush Attempts
35.23
4.56
Yards Per Rush
5.55
0.71
Interceptions
0.62
1.71
Fumbles
1.69
0.86
Fumbles Lost
0.62
1.57
Total Turnovers
1.23
5.43
Penalties
7.92
48.21
Penalty Yards
68.69
31:11
Time on Field
29:57
73.29
Number of Plays
68.92
5.60
Yards Per Play
6.92
4.64
Punts
3.46
41.79
Punt Average
41.36
53.86
Return Yards
69.38

Head To Head

CLEM
Stat Type ALAB
0-2
Record
2-0
1-1
ATS
1-1
1-1
O/U
1-1
25.00
Score
39.50
72.50
Rush Yds
188.50
40.50
Pass Attempts
27.50
61.73
Completion %
69.09
296.50
Passing Yds
257.50
369
Total Yds
446
1.50
Turnovers
0.00
CLEM
Stat Type ALAB
0-2
Record
2-0
1-1
ATS
1-1
1-1
O/U
1-1
25.00
Score
39.50
72.50
Rush Yds
188.50
40.50
Pass Attempts
27.50
61.73
Completion %
69.09
296.50
Passing Yds
257.50
369
Total Yds
446
1.50
Turnovers
0.00
Jan 11/16 (1 of 2)
CLEM
Stat Type ALAB
Home
Away
40
Score
45
+6.5
ATS
-6.5
50.5 o
O/U
50.5 u
145
Rush Yds
138
47
Pass Attempts
25
63.83
Completion %
64.00
405
Passing Yds
335
550
Total Yds
473
1
Turnovers
0
Aug 30/08 (2 of 2)
CLEM
Stat Type ALAB
Home
Away
10
Score
34
-4.5
ATS
+4.5
46 o
O/U
46 u
0
Rush Yds
239
34
Pass Attempts
30
58.82
Completion %
73.33
188
Passing Yds
180
188
Total Yds
419
2
Turnovers
0

Team Records

CLEM
Record ALAB
13-1
All
14-0
6-1
Home
7-0
5-0
Away
4-0
2-0
Neutral Site
3-0
7-7
ATS
10-4
4-3
ATS Home
4-3
2-3
ATS Away
3-1
1-1
ATS Neutral Site
3-0
7-7
O/U
6-8
3-4
O/U Home
1-6
3-2
O/U Away
3-1
1-1
O/U Neutral Site
2-1
CLEM
Record ALAB
8-1
All
9-0
3-1
Home
4-0
4-0
Away
4-0
1-0
Neutral Site
1-0
4-5
ATS
6-3
2-2
ATS Home
2-2
2-2
ATS Away
3-1
0-1
ATS Neutral Site
1-0
6-3
O/U
5-4
2-2
O/U Home
1-3
3-1
O/U Away
3-1
1-0
O/U Neutral Site
1-0
CLEM
Record ALAB
9-1
All
10-0
4-1
Home
5-0
3-0
Away
3-0
2-0
Neutral Site
2-0
5-5
ATS
7-3
3-2
ATS Home
2-3
1-2
ATS Away
3-0
1-1
ATS Neutral Site
2-0
7-3
O/U
4-6
3-2
O/U Home
1-4
3-0
O/U Away
2-1
1-1
O/U Neutral Site
1-1

Gametime Weather

Weather
7:00 pm EST Clear
16ºC / 60ºF
57% Humidity
1% Precipitation
24% Cloud Cover
Wind Impact Stadium Type Open
Field Image
Arrow Image 6
mph

Injuries

Name Position Inj Desc
Cole TurnerWRIs out for season, Hip
Name Position Inj Desc
Jalen MilroeQBHas been named the starter Saturday vs Mississippi, None
Kendrick LawWRIs "?" Saturday vs Mississippi, Undisclosed
Jaheim OatisDLIs "?" Saturday vs Mississippi, Ankle
Emmanuel Henderson Jr.RBIs out indefinitely, Hip

Last 10 Games

Date Opp Score SU Line Total ATS OFF. RUSH OFF. PASS OFF. TOTAL DEF. RUSH DEF. PASS DEF. TOTAL TO
Dec 31, 2016OHIOST31-0W+1.5/57-W/U20526547088127215-1
Dec 3, 2016VTECH42-35W-10.5/59-L/O182288470102284386-1
Nov 26, 2016S.CARO56-7W-26/50-W/O2403726121111072180
Nov 19, 2016WAKE35-13W-24/47.5-L/O254202456711261971
Nov 12, 2016PITT42-43L-21.5/62.5-L/O505806301563084642
Nov 5, 2016SYRACU54-0W-28/68-W/U195370565105172277-3
Oct 29, 2016FLAST37-34W-4/59-L/O1333785111632864491
Oct 15, 2016NCSU24-17W-20/61.5-L/U1173784951282693972
Oct 7, 2016BOST.C56-10W-18/43-W/O22927450315596251-1
Oct 1, 2016LOUISV42-36W+1/64.5-W/O2013065072732955682
View Game Logs
Date Opp Score SU Line Total ATS OFF. RUSH OFF. PASS OFF. TOTAL DEF. RUSH DEF. PASS DEF. TOTAL TO
Dec 31, 2016WASH24-7W-13/51.5-W/U2695732644150194-3
Dec 3, 2016FLA54-16W-24/40.5-W/O2341383720261261-3
Nov 26, 2016AUBRN30-12W-20.5/46.5-L/U203298501661161821
Nov 19, 2016CHATT31-3W-48.5/63-L/U19613633270114184-1
Nov 12, 2016MIS.ST51-3W-29/52.5-W/O218397615941802741
Nov 5, 2016LSU10-0W-7/46-W/U21610732333921251
Oct 22, 2016TEXA&M33-14W-17.5/57.5-W/U2871644511141642780
Oct 15, 2016TENN49-10W-14/53-W/O438156594321311631
Oct 8, 2016ARK49-30W-14.5/48.5-W/O26425351773400473-2
Oct 1, 2016KENTUC34-6W-37/55-L/U1733154887289161-1
View Game Logs