College Football Championship: Picking the Spread, Clemson vs Alabama

Alabama by 6.5 over Clemson

Well, the College Football Championship Game is almost upon us. The rematch between Alabama and Clemson is an intriguing one to say the least. Which team will have the edge in this game. The Crimson Tide is a 6.5 point favorite over the Tigers.

I have had a nice season picking the spread of games involving top 10 teams, first in the AP Poll and then the CFP rankings, except when it came to Clemson games. I think I was only correct in one or two of the Tigers’ games all season. Well, here we go one last time.

Alabama is a 6.5 point favorite. The Crimson Tide defense has been dominant all season. After Jalen Hurts got over his inconsistent play early on, the freshman quarterback had a tremendous season.

Against any other team in the nation I would take Alabama and give the points. But not against Clemson.

Quite honestly, the Tigers played like a nine win team early in the season, not a national contender, and Deshaun Watson played his way out of the Heisman Trophy race. But after Clemson lost to Pittsburgh November 12, the Tigers look like a different team and Watson has played like the quarterback everyone expected him to be.

More from Scarlet and Game

• Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
• Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
• Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
• How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
• Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend

While Nick Saban is the best coach in college football at neutralizing a key player, or players, on the opposing team’s offense, it may not be as easy to stop the Clemson attack. Watson has several receivers he can count on.

Mike Williams and Artavis Scott have 90 and 73 catches respectively on the season. There are six Clemson players who have 33 receptions or more on the season. Deon Cain’s 33 have resulted in 630 yards for a 19.1 yards per catch average. And it seems as though most of Hunter Renfrows 34 receptions result in big plays.

I think the Tigers have the overall firepower to stay with the Crimson Tide and possibly upset them. If Clemson falls behind, they can come back and make the game close like they did last year.

Must Read: National Championship Game: Interview with Clemson Expert

I will go with the Tigers and take the 6.5 points on this one. Hopefully I have this Clemson game figured out right.