Clemson (13-0) vs Ohio State (13-0)
When: Saturday, December 28th 2019
Where: State Farm Stadium,
Glendale, Arizona
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Ohio State -1/68.5
It’s funny how everyone was knocking the Clemson Tigers all season for their schedule and yet, nobody wants to play them. The Ohio State Buckeyes were upset that they weren’t the No. 1 team over LSU heading into the College Football Playoffs and will have to play the Tigers for the second time in four years. The first meeting in the playoffs didn’t go so well, with Clemson cruising to an easy 31-0 triumph in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl – the site of this year’s matchup. Clemson is seeking to become the first team to repeat as national champions since Alabama in 2011 and 2012, and come in with a 28-game winning streak. The Tigers might have played an easier schedule than the other playoff participants, but they did their job and won the final eight games by an average of 42.1 points including a 62-17 win over Virginia in the ACC title game. Ohio State won their 13 games this season by a similar margin but had to deal with heavyweights Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin en route to a Big Ten Championship. Quarterback Justin Fields passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-21 title game win over the Badgers, but his mobility was limited with a bulky brace on his leg.
The Tigers’ defense ranks 10th nationally in tackles for loss (7.8 per game) and tied for 22nd in sacks (2.85) and are not worried about Fields’ mobility. The unit is also No. 1 in FBS in total yards allowed (244.7), passing yards allowed (138.5) and scoring average (10.6). On the other side of the ball, Clemson ranks third in total offense (547.7) and fourth in points scored (46.5). Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has recorded 20 touchdown passes to zero interceptions over the last six games after thrown five picks in his first three games. The running game is ranked eighth in the country behind Travis Etienne (1,500 yards, 17 TDs) and the Tigers also boast a 1,000-yard receiver in Tee Higgins (52 catches, 1,082 yards, 13 TDs).
Ohio State is just as well-rounded with a defense that ranks right behind Clemson in total defense (247.6) and points allowed (12.5). The unit is led by Heisman finalist Chase Young and potential top three NFL draft pick come April, who has 16.5 of Ohio State’s nation-leading 51. Fields runs the show on offense but running back J.K. Dobbins does the heavy lifting. The junior from Texas has over 2,000 total yards from scrimmage and 22 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Clemson has a bigger chip on their shoulders coming into this one than any of the four and they’ve proved people wrong in the past. The edge here goes to the coaching of Dabo Swinney in these big games, while Ryan Day gets his first taste of the playoffs as a head man.
Pick: Clemson -2 (Jay Cooper’s Free Bowl Picks)
Betting Trends:
Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games as a favorite.
Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
Tigers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games in December.
Tigers are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 bowl games.
Tigers are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Tigers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Tigers are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win.
Tigers are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games as a favorite.
Tigers are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Tigers are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 neutral site games.
Tigers are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Tigers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Tigers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Tigers are 35-17 ATS in their last 52 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Tigers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Bowl games as a favorite.
Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games as an underdog.
Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 bowl games.
Buckeyes are 10-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Buckeyes are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up win.
Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games as an underdog.
Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
Buckeyes are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Buckeyes are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 neutral site games.
Buckeyes are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 games as an underdog.
Buckeyes are 40-18 ATS in their last 58 games on grass.
Buckeyes are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. ACC.
Under is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 Bowl Semifinal games.
Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in Tigers last 6 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games in December.
Over is 6-2 in Tigers last 8 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Tigers last 8 bowl games as a favorite.
Under is 18-7-1 in Tigers last 26 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 5-0-1 in Buckeyes last 6 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Buckeyes last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Buckeyes last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Buckeyes last 5 games as an underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Buckeyes last 5 bowl games as an underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Buckeyes last 5 bowl games.
Under is 4-1 in Buckeyes last 5 games in December.
Under is 3-1-1 in Buckeyes last 5 non-conference games.
Under is 6-2 in Buckeyes last 8 games on grass.
Under is 5-2 in Buckeyes last 7 neutral site games.
