Alabama vs. Clemson

The ACC has not played well this Bowl season and now another ACC team, unbeaten Clemson, has to step way up in class against mighty Alabama. The Tigers are a young team with a trio of sophomores leading the offense. They trailed at the half last week before a big second half against Oklahoma. But here the Tigers face a far superior defense. Clemson struggled in close wins at Louisville (20-17 as -5 chalk) and beat Notre Dame just 24-22 as a three-point favorite. They even struggled in the ACC Championship against a North Carolina squad that got walloped by Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The Tigers are 3-7 ATS after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Since losing to Ole Miss, the Alabama defense has been on a mission, topping the nation in points allowed (13.4 points per game). All three starters on the Crimson Tide defensive front are going to be top draft picks, with Reggie Ragland a top NFL linebacker prospect and CB Cyrus Jones also destined for the next level. Senior QB Jake Coker (19 TDs, eight INTs, 2,775 yards, 67%) runs this balanced, pro-style attack. Center Ryan Kelly is one of the best of the SEC, senior RB Derrick Henry (2,061 yards, 5.7 yards per carry) won the Heisman, while young WR Calvin Ridley (1,101 yards) is a handful. Alabama steamrolled over Wisconsin, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn (all Bowl winners). They come off a 38-0 win over Michigan State, allowing just 239 total yards, as well as a huge edge in rushing yards, 154-29. Coach Nick Saban has won three national titles at Alabama and won another while at LSU. This will be Saban’s fifth national title and all of them will have come against juggernauts. They crushed a 12-0 Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS Championship, beat a 13-0 LSU team in 2012, and 13-0 Texas in 2009. Alabama is 7-1 ATS against a winning teams, plus 11-5 ATS at neutral sites. Clemson allowed 20 points per game this season, 24.4 per game on the road and 28.7 per game over their last three. Compare that to Bama's 13.4 per game, 12.0 on the road, and 9.3 over their last three. That will be the difference here. Take Alabama to claim this season's National Championship, winning by at least a touchdown.