Clemson cruised through the season with a 13-0 record. While their SU numbers are impressive, they’ve struggled to live up to the spreads set by the sports books. They did cover against UNC in their last game, but that snapped a four game losing skid ATS. Here in the Orange Bowl, however, the undefeated Tigers are lined as underdogs.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Clemson Tigers +3.5
Oklahoma Sooners -3.5
Over/Under 64.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
The total hasn’t moved since BookMaker released the odds, but the spread has seen a bit of movement growing by half a point to -4 in favor of the Sooners.
Clemson is not used to being the underdog as the nation’s top ranked team and entering play undefeated. They, however, are just that according to the spread. The last 10 times they went off the board as underdogs, they’ve gone a healthy 7-3 ATS.
Overall, Oklahoma is a solid 6-1 ATS in its last seven games.
KEY MISMATCH
Both teams boast top-end offenses and strong defenses, but look for the offenses to overcome the defenses enough to drive up the score.
Oklahoma’s defense, in particular, could have a hard time containing Clemson’s dual-threat quarterback, and Heisman finalist, Deshaun Watson.
Watson has a 69.5 percent completion mark this season with 3,517 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns. He’s added to that with 887 rushing yards and 11 more scores on the ground.
His ability to move the ball in the air and on the ground could cause issues for a very good, but not elite Sooners defense.
The Tigers’ defense ranks higher than the Sooners, particularly against the pass, but Oklahoma’s high-powered offense could still cause trouble. Baker Mayfield has led his team to an average of 45.8 PPG, the third most in the country. He’s boasting a 35:5 touchdown to interception ratio while completing 68.6 percent of his passes.
In addition to Mayfield, the rushing attack has Samaje Perine rushing 211 times for 1,291 yards and 15 scores while Joe Mixon and even Mayfield himself offer additional depth on the ground.
Mayfield also has a top-end receiver in Sterling Shepard whose 79 receptions, 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns all lead the team.
KEY STAT
.898 – This is the percentage of red zone possessions converted into points for the Tigers. Clemson ranks a few spots ahead of Oklahoma in this category. The Sooners sit at No. 19 in the nation at .892.
Oklahoma, however, has had more chances in the red zone, 65 to 49. They’ve also notched a much higher number of red zone passing touchdowns.
BETTING ANGLE
It was only a season ago that these two teams last met in a bowl game with the Tigers winning an easy 40-6 blowout in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Oklahoma will aim to put up a better fight this time around and will be looking for revenge along with a ticket to the National Championship game. Clemson, however, will head into play brimming with confidence. Not only have they proven themselves as the nation’s top ranked team, but they’ve also proven themselves against their opponents just a season prior.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Just a year ago, the Tigers took care of Oklahoma with ease and they come into play having yet to lose a game. Their ATS struggles are noteworthy, but look for Clemson to squeeze out a victory and advance to the championship game.
Mayfield is a strong quarterback and he’s got a ton of weapons, including top-notch running backs Perine and Mixon, but the Tigers have shown the ability to make the necessary stops throughout the season.
Perine will do his damage, but Clemson is the fifth best pass defense in college football with only 166.9 passing yards allowed per game. They’ve also sacked the opposition 38 times.
Look for Watson to do enough to outscore Oklahoma in a much closer game than they enjoyed a season ago.
Clemson 38, Oklahoma 35
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Clemson Tigers will start at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 31, 2015, at Sun Life Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
