2015 College Football Playoff Picks: Oklahoma vs Clemson Odds & Predictions – Free Capital One Orange Bowl Picks 12/31/2015

2015 College Football Playoff Picks: Oklahoma vs Clemson Odds & Predictions – Free Capital One Orange Bowl Picks 12/31/2015: 2015 College Football Playoff Picks: Oklahoma vs. Clemson Odds & Predictions – Free Capital One Orange Bowl Picks 12/31/2015The wait is finally over, and the 2015 College Football Playoff will begin Thursday when the fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners take on the top-ranked and undefeated Clemson Tigers in the Capital One Orange Bowl. The game is the first of two semifinal matchups, and the Sooners are favored by 3.5 points.

Clemson was a no-brainer for the selection committee after finishing the year with a 13-0 record and claiming the ACC title. Yes, they were challenged by Notre Dame, Florida State and North Carolina, but the Tigers survived them all. The same can’t be said for the Sooners, whose playoff hopes seemed doomed after a loss to an awful Texas team. However, Oklahoma rallied, knocking off Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State down the stretch to win the Big 12 and earn the final playoff spot.

On paper, these teams are mirror images of each other, especially on offense. Both have balanced, potent scoring attack led by dual-threat QBs that finished in the top five in the Heisman voting, and both have talented running back to turn to, as well. The battle between Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield and Clemson QB Deshaun Watson will highlight what should be an entertaining showdown between the Sooners third-ranked scoring attack and Clemson’s 15th-rank scoring offense.

The Sooners Win If:

For the Sooners to knock off the top-ranked Tigers, they need to utilize their depth on offense to keep Clemson’s talented defensive front off balance. Yes, Mayfield is excellent, but running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon combined for over 2,000 rushing yards. If the Tigers have to respect the ground game, they won’t be able to unleash their pass rush on Mayfield. Defensively, Oklahoma has to limit the big plays for Watson and the Clemson offense. It is unrealistic to expect to shut down the Tigers, but as long as they aren’t running up and down the field at will, the Sooners will have a chance to make some stops.

The Tigers Win If:

If Clemson wants to advance to the title game, the Tigers’ defensive line needs to control the line of scrimmage in order to make Mayfield and the Sooners a one-dimensional offense. By limiting the Oklahoma ground game and containing Mayfield in the pocket, the Sooners’ dynamic offense becomes a lot easier to defend. On the offensive end, Watson needs to continue to be the dual-threat weapon that made him a Heisman finalist. Plain and simple, Watson is the engine that drives that Tigers, and if he has a bad game, Clemson is doomed.

Bottom Line:

Prior to this year, Clemson was best known for being the team that found a way to lose the big games, but that has changed in a big way this year. However, the perfect season is in serious jeopardy against an Oklahoma team that was playing as well as any team in the country down the stretch. Mayfield plays with as big of a chip on his shoulder as any player in the country, and that edge rubs off on his teammates. The Sooners will be further motivated by the 40-6 beatdown the Tigers put on them in last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl. More importantly, Clemson has been vulnerable on defense against tougher competition, allowing 41 points to NC State and 37 points to North Carolina and surrendering nearly 200 rushing yards to Florida State RB Dalvin Cook. Oklahoma has as much, if not more, offensive firepower than any team the Tigers have faced, and Mayfield and company should outlast Watson and the Tigers in a shootout.

Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners (-3.5) Cover the Spread

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