Only four bluebloods remain alive in the quest to be declared national champions. At this point, the process is old hat for both Clemson and Alabama. Alabama has made it to here in all five seasons the College Football Playoff has been an existence, and Clemson has made it to the last four. The Crimson Tide have gone is as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in all but one season, while the Tigers have been No. 1 or No. 2 in all four of their appearances.
Oklahoma will be making its third trip to the College Football Playoff, but the Sooners are still in search of their first win. They were hammered by Clemson in the Orange Bowl three years ago, and outscored by Georgia in a thriller last year. Meanwhile, this is Notre Dame’s first ever appearance in the CFP. The Fighting Irish are out to shake off the memories of what happened the last time they were in a similar position though, when they were routed 42-14 by Alabama in the 2013 BCS National Championship game.
BookMaker is the only place to bet all 41 college football bowl games this season. BookMaker has the best lines for bettors, and your stocking might be a little bit fuller if you play here. The College Football Playoff National Championship will take place on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 8 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
NCAA Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Alabama -226
Clemson +250
Oklahoma +1200
Notre Dame +1425
Odds Analysis
Coming into the season, Alabama and Clemson were two of the favorites to win the national championship. The Crimson Tide had odds of +180 to win the CFP, and the Tigers weren’t far behind them at +500. Those that jumped on either Oklahoma or Notre Dame could be in for a big payday. The Sooners had CFB betting odds of +2500 to win it all prior to their first game of the season, and the Irish could be had at +4000.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide are massive favorites against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The college football betting line has Alabama favored by 14 in that game, and many are willing to lay some heavy chalk with the Tide. No coach has proven himself more than Nick Saban, but there is one big concern ahead of this game.
Tua Tagovailoa has been banged up for the last half of the season, and he was knocked out of the SEC Championship Game against Georgia because of an injury. He has been limping around since then, and he was in an air cast for most of the time during awards week. Tagovailoa has a pretty great backup in Jalen Hurts, but Tua gives Alabama a passing threat that the Crimson Tide have not had during the Saban era.
Clemson
The Tigers enter their game with Notre Dame favored by nearly as much as Alabama. Clemson is -12 per the college football betting odds, and most analysts believe the Tigers will thump the Fighting Irish.
Defense has been the calling card for Clemson all year, and if the Tigers are going to win another national title, it is likely to be because of their front four. They have the best defensive line in the country, and opposing offenses often have to make a Sophie’s Choice when it comes to whether or not to double someone up front. Young quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been a star and Travis Etienne was arguably the most underappreciated running back in the country.
Notre Dame
This team’s fortunes, and perception, changed when Ian Book took over for Brandon Wimbush. Book has made the Irish offense significantly better, and he has made opponents respect the pass. Of course, there are still some doubts with Notre Dame. The Irish didn’t play the toughest schedule, and they are rated as the worst team in the CFP per most advanced metrics.
Oklahoma
If the Sooners are going to win another national title, Kyler Murray is going to have to put a lot of points on the board. Oklahoma has the 89th best defense in the country according to S&P+, and that is by far the worst in the CFP. Murray had a fantastic year en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, and Lincoln Riley might be the best offensive mind in college football today. I don’t like their chances given all the problems their defense has had though. The Sooners haven’t been able to stop the run or the pass, and that spells trouble with so much time to prepare.
NCAA Football Odds
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