The 2017 Sugar Bowl brings us the college football playoff battle between the (1) Clemson Tigers and the (4) Alabama Crimson Tide. The game is set to begin on Monday, January 1st at 8:45 p.m. EST. The spectacular showdown can also be seen on the ESPN network to finish off the day. As of this article, the Crimson Tide are -3 point favorites and the contest’s total now sits at 47.
The Alabama Crimson have secured yet another berth in the college football playoffs in a rematch of last season’s title game. This year, they did not compete for the SEC title because of their loss to in-state rivals the Auburn Tigers. The setback was their lone defeat on the season. As a result, Alabama finished off their regular season with an overall record of 11-1.
The Clemson Tigers come into the Mercedes Benz Dome ranked number one in the country. If not for a loss at Syracuse earlier in the season, the Tigers would have posted a perfect record. Nevertheless, they still finished 12-1 and captured their second-straight ACC Championship. This game will mark the third time these two teams have duked it out in the playoffs. So far, both the Tigers and the Tide have split the two previous meetings.
(4) Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1)
The Alabama Crimson Tide continue to be a national title contender because of their ability to score and defend. The Crimson Tide averaged 39 points on 470 total yards a game. They also have the nation’s 10th-best rushing attack, racking up 265 yards a contest.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has become one of the better running backs in college football. Although he hasn’t made a lot of big plays down the field, he has made up for it with the use of his legs. So far, Hurts has thrown the ball for just over 2,005 yards with 15 touchdowns and only one interception. He also has run the ball 137 times for another 768 yards with eight more scores.
Running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough make a nice one-two punch out of the backfield. Harris has a team-high 110 carries for 906 yards and 11 trips to the back of the end zone. Scarbrough has toted the pigskin 108 times for 549 yards and eight trips to pay-dirt. With Hurts in the mix, Alabama has the nation’s 10th-ranked rushing offense (265 ypg).
When Jalen Hurts looks to throw the ball downfield, there is little question as to who he is looking for. The Crimson Tide’s leading receiver Calvin Ridley has had to do it all this season. Through 12 games, Ridley has reeled in a team-high 55 catches for 896 yards and three scores. In fact, not one other Alabama wideout has even registered more than 15 catches.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide are once again the top defense in FBS football. Their front half sits third in the country, allowing only 95 rushing yards a game. The secondary isn’t far behind, sitting in 6th (163 ypg). All totaled, the unit is holding opposing teams to only 11.5 points a contest (1st), and only 258 total yards (2nd). Obviously, head coach Nick Saban’s defense reloaded after sending six starters from 2016 to the NFL.
(1) Clemson Tigers (12-1)
The Clemson Tigers won the ACC Championship last year on their way to winning the National Title. Now, if they are to defeat the Crimson Tide on Monday, they will be in the championship with a shot at defending their National Title. The Tigers only loss was to the Cuse by three points. Since then, they have won six in a row and have outscored their foes by 24 points a game over that span.
He may not be Deshaun Watson yet, but quarterback Kelly Bryant has done a great job in 2017. For the year, he has hit 67 percent of his throws for 2,678 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. The dual-threat passer has also run for 646 yards and 11 more trips to pay-dirt.
Freshman running back Travis Etienne has had a good year for his first run at the FBS. Through 13 games, Etienne has rumbled for 744 yards on 103 carries and a team-high 13 scores. Teammate Kelly Feaster is no slouch either. He also has 659 yards and seven more touchdowns. Combined with Kelly Bryant, the three keep the offense balanced nicely.
Three wide receivers do most of the damage when the Tigers toss the ball around against their opponents. Altogether, the threesome has caught 153 balls for almost 1,750 yards and 10 touchdowns. Deon Cain leads this squad with 659 yards and six scores. Hunter Renfrow is tops with 55 catches and three more trips to glory. This secondary will be the best that the Clemson Tigers have faced in 2017.
The Clemson Tigers defense has been the backbone of this team since the season began. They are ranked in the top-10 in three of college football’s top four categories. All totaled, they sit second in the nation, allowing only 12 points a contest. The front seven sits 12th, surrendering only 112 yards a match. The secondary is one of the best in the FBS. They are ranked seventh in the country, submitting to only 165 yards a game.
Prediction
Las Vegas has the Crimson Tide as a three-point favorite but am siding with Clemson in this contest. Alabama showed a chink in their armor in the loss to the Tigers in their regular season finale. The defense surrendered just over 400 total yards.
On the other hand, Clemson just crushed seventh-ranked Miami by a 38-3 score in the ACC Championship game. They proved to the nation that they can do damage against one of the better defensive teams in the FBS. In addition, the Tigers do own a better passing game than Alabama. They also possess a talented receiving core. Furthermore, Clemson features an outstanding rush defense that is holding opponents to an average of 112 rushing yards per game. It’s going to be tough sledding for Jalen Hurts and the Alabama ground attack.
Lastly, Alabama is coming off a loss, while the Tigers are on a roll, riding a six-game winning streak. Take the opportunity to put a plus money play on the board and take Clemson to win and get an opportunity to defend their National Title. @EriktheHun
To make a wager on the Sugar Bowl, head over to BetDSI Sportsbook and get started today.
Trends
The Crimson Tide are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
The Over is 10-3 in the Crimson Tide last 13 bowl games.
The Tigers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 bowl games.
The Under is 7-2-1 in the Tigers last 10 games overall.
