National Championship Game: Clemson Vs Alabama Picks
By Ken Boehlke, CBS Sports Radio 1140
Las Vegas
The college football season's end is near. Monday night, the Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Clemson Tigers in the National Championship Game. We've picked every game so far this bowl season and this game will be no different. This time though, you get a bonus. Prop bets! The most fun part of any big sporting event. Enjoy!
College Football National Championship Game
Alabama vs. Clemson
Spread: Alabama -6.5
Total: 53
Spread: The Alabama that showed up on New Year's Eve won't be beat by Clemson, but the chances that same effort can be replicated just over a week later is not likely. Clemson looked great in their semifinal game and do pose a problem that has long plagued Nick Saban and the Tide. There are keys on both sides of the ball which will help give a clue as to which way this game should be bet. When Bama's offense is on the field, the Tigers absolutely must slow down Derrick Henry and the Alabama rushing game. On the other side the key will be how often Crimson Tide players touch DeShaun Watson. If there is pressure on Watson the Clemson offense will not look anything like it has, but if they don't they can certainly spread out Alabama and put points up in bunches. The game should be close, because there's not a high probability that both of the keys go totally to Alabama. If you think they will, don't follow this pick. Pick: Clemson +6.5
Total: As good as Clemson's offense has looked, and it has been good, there's simply no way it's wise to take an over in a game involving Alabama at this point. What they did to Michigan State was nothing short of extraordinary. Clemson will score more than the Spartans did in that game, but even on their best day it's going to be tough to get to 30 against this Alabama defense. It's going to come down to how much Jake Coker and the Alabama can put on the board. Expect Saban to want to control the ball and try to keep the game at his pace rather than the one Dabo Swinney would prefer. Everything on the line, were will probably be some mistakes. Pick: Under 53
Now to the fun part. Props!
Longest TD of the Game by Either Team: 49.5 yards
In each of Alabama's las five games they have had a touchdown greater than 50 yards, and they are supposed to be the team less likely to hit the homerun. Pick: Over 49.5
Total Completions by Jake Coker: 18.5
Coker has only hit the number five times in the 13 games the Tide has played this year. Clemson allows 222 rushing yards per game. Put those two together, it'll be all Derrick Henry. Pick: Under 18.5
Total Rushing Yards by Derrick Henry: 145.5
Henry racks up 158 yards per game. Clemson gives up 222 per. Are we missing something? Pick: Over 145.5
Will Calvin Ridley Score a TD: Yes +100 No -120
Ridley made his mark against Michigan State by scoring two TD's. #Bias. Pick: No -120
Will There Be a Defensive or Special Teams TD? Yes +150 No -170
Based on averages there should be three turnovers in the game. Tack on the fact thatAlabama has returned five kicks for TD's. This is a live dog. Pick: Yes +150
Total TD Passes By Jake Coker: 1.5
Nope. Pick: Under 1.5
Total Completions by DeShaun Watson: 22.5
If Clemson can't stop Henry, they'll be forced to throw. Even if the Tide gets after him, he'll still get to the number. Pick: Over 22.5
Player to Score First TD
Lets take two. Pick: Kenyan Drake 20:1, DeShaun Watson 10:1
Listen to Usually Wrong with Ken Boehlke on CBS Sports Radio 1140 every Sunday morning from 8 to 10. Follow the show on Twitter @SportsRadio1140