The Ohio State Buckeyes were a controversial entrant into the College Football Playoff because they didn’t win their conference, but will now aim to prove they deserve the spot. The Buckeyes will face off against the Clemson Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl with a berth in the national championship on the line.
Ohio State is the favorite in this matchup and seems like the team that can give favorite Alabama the best opposition in the title game. However, Clemson made the national championship game a season ago before falling short. The Tigers would love to get back but this time pick up the hardware.
This contest of the bowl season will go down Saturday, December 31, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State -3.5
Clemson +3.5
Over/Under 60
Odds Analysis
Ohio State is the slight favorite but it is Clemson that is pulling in most of the money on the spread, with the bettors choosing the Tigers to cover at a 63 percent clip. The moneyline is pretty enticing as well for those who like Clemson, as it is paying off at a +139 clip if the Tigers pull the upset.
The scoring total is middle of the road because both teams are solid defensively, with the “under”the more prevalent choice by bettors currently.
Ohio State is 11-1 straight up and 6-6 against the spread this season as it has often had to give plenty of points in matchups, which makes it harder to cover. The Buckeyes have not been the underdog in a game this season and that won’t change here.
Clemson is 12-1 straight up and 6-7 against the spread this season. The Tigers have been the underdog once this year and were able to cover in the matchup.
Player to Watch
Deshaun Watson – The Clemson quarterback has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards this season and is also the team’s second-leading rusher with 529 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Watson has thrown for 37 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
In Clemson’s only loss of the season last month to Pittsburgh, the quarterback threw for a season-high 580 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. In the Tigers’ three straight victories since that loss, the junior has thrown for 837 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Watson played extremely well in the College Football Playoff a year ago and will aim to duplicate that effort this year.
Matchup to Watch
The Ohio State secondary vs the Clemson’s passing game. This matchup is going to be key in determining the outcome of this semifinal game and it should showcase some serious next-level talent too.
There is no denying the talent on the Buckeyes’ cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore, both of whom are expected to be high draft picks next spring, but the pair will have their hands full with Clemson this week.
The Tigers’ offense is averaging 332.6 yards a game and aside from Williams, the team has an array of additional targets in receivers Deon Cain, Artavis Scott and Ray-Ray McCloud and tight end Jordan Leggett.
Free ATS Pick
Clemson has great experience and almost won last year’s national championship. Watson is a fantastic piece, but Ohio State counters with a star quarterback of its own in J.T. Barrett.
Many didn’t think the Buckeyes deserved to be in the College Football Playoff but they are certainly one of the four best teams in the country. Ohio State will prove its worth with a victory in this showdown to set up a national championship appearance.
Clemson has been one of the best teams in college football the past two seasons but will fall short of its ultimate goal of a title.
College Football Odds: Ohio State 31, Clemson 24
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