Alabama vs. Clemson

SUGAR BOWL - Here they go again! The Crimson Tide squeezed out a win over the Tigers in the National Title game two seasons ago before Clemson won in last season's Championship game. Alabama comes in off a loss to Auburn, so they didn't even reach the SEC title game. The Crimson Tide are 3-14 ATS following a straight-up loss. Clemson will focus on stopping the run as Alabama sophomore QB Jalen Hurts has had passing issues, going just 12-of-22 for 112 yards in the loss to Auburn. The Crimson Tide's vaunted defense was torched by Clemson the last two years, allowing 825 passing yards and seven touchdowns plus one rushing score in the two meetings. The way to hang with Alabama is speed on defense, like Auburn showed, and this Clemson defense is loaded with it once again. The Tigers' defense ranks second in the nation in scoring defense (12.8 points per game), sixth in yards allowed, anchored by first-team All-American defensive end Clelin Ferrell (8.5 sacks), junior defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (4.5 sacks), and senior linebacker Dorian O'Daniel (99 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries). Clemson also has perfect balance and speed on offense averaging over 200 yards rushing and passing with a pair of running backs averaging 7.2 and 6.4 yards per carry. The Tigers have faced six Top 20 teams this season and won them all by scores of 14-6 (against Auburn, the team that just beat 'Bama), 47-21, 31-17, 38-31, 34-10, and 38-3. Clemson is 10-1 ATS at neutral sites, 7-2-1 ATS versus winning teams, and has covered four in row against the SEC. The Tigers make it five in a row. Play Clemson.