National Title Game Best Bet: Clemson Tigers vs. LSU Tigers
The Game:
The National Title: Clemson Tigers vs. LSU Tigers
The Play:
Clemson +6 vs. LSU Tigers
After what we witnessed in Atlanta between the Oklahoma Sooners and the LSU Tigers, siding with Joe Burrow and the boys from Baton Rouge seems to be the logical selection for the championship game on January 13th, but who ever said in my analysis that I was logical? I’m taking the Tigers… that is, the Clemson Tigers, plus the six points in New Orleans. LSU was unbelievable in the semifinal and put on a display we may never see again, but LSU is the new kid on the block here, while Clemson is the defending champions and are attempting to win their third championship in four seasons.
Head coach Dabo Sweeney knows how to get it done and the disrespect card he has been playing for the last two months is justified. Clemson has won 29 in a row and 35 of their last 36 games. In their two postseason games last year they outscored Notre Dame and Alabama 74-19. Clemson’s sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence is 25-0 as a starter and even though they fell behind Ohio St 16-0, he was as cool as the other side of the pillow in leading his team back into the game highlighted by his epic 67–yard touchdown run. Clemson definitely did not play their best game against the Buckeyes, but they will be ready in this game for all 60 minutes.
Their defense led the nation (10.6) in points against and Sweeney will have to figure out (and I have all the faith in the world he will) how to slow the game down and keep the ball out of the Heisman Trophy winner’s hands. We should look for running back Travis Etienne and wide receiver Justyn Ross to play a big role in getting the job done for Clemson as well. Again, the logical pick here is LSU because of their dynamic offense—and LSU should be the play—but I’m “down with Dabo” and think Clemson officially takes the reins over Alabama as the kings of college football in a barnburner of a championship game.
The Prediction:
32 Clemson Tigers
29 LSU Tigers
Harry Gagnon spent 14 years as a Vegas Sportsbook Supervisor and holds a Communications degree from SUNY-Oswego. You might know him better as part of the Degenerate Trifecta on the award nominated betting podcast “Against All odds with Cousin Sal” on the Ringer Podcast Network. Feel free to find him on Twitter (@AAOHarry) and tweet him a message if you want to talk casinos, sports, or just shoot the breeze about betting in general cause, hey, that’s what Twitter is for, right?
