2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Picks: Alabama vs Clemson Odds and Predictions 1/11/16

2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Picks: Alabama vs Clemson Odds and Predictions 1/11/16: The 2015 college football is almost over, but one game still remains. The top-ranked and undefeated Clemson Tigers will take on the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the second-ever College Football Playoff National Championship Game. It is the second time in the last three seasons that the ACC and SEC will meet with the national title on the line, and while the Crimson Tide will be trying for their fourth national title since 2009, the Tigers will be looking for their first since 1981.

As has been the case since Nick Saban became the coach, the Crimson Tide are led by a power running game and dominant defense. Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry heads the offense, and the nation’s best front line highlights the defense. Led by Shaq Lawson, Clemson has a potent defensive line in its own right, and Mackensie Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the country. Meanwhile, quarterback and Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson is one-man wrecking crew for the Tigers’ offense thanks to his dual-threat ability, and RB Wayne Gallman isn’t a bad secondary weapon.

Neither side faced much of a challenge to reach this point. Clemson used a strong second half to cruise by Oklahoma 37-17 in the semifinals, and Alabama slowly pulled away from Michigan State in a dominating 38-0 win. The Crimson Tide head into the title matchup as seven-point favorites.

The Crimson Tide Win If:

The Crimson Tide have a formula for winning games, and if they are able to run Henry, control the clock, and keep their defense fresh, Nick Saban’s bunch is going to wear down Clemson’s defense and put a ton of pressure on the Tigers’ offense. Keeping Watson in the pocket and preventing him from converting big plays with both his arm and his legs will critical, and while Alabama can score plenty of points, the Crimson Tide want to create a physical, grinding battle rather than a high-scoring shootout. If Alabama prevents Watson from having a record-setting game, the Crimson Tides’ Heisman winner and offensive and defensive lines should do the rest.

The Tigers Win If:

For the Tigers to pull off the upset, they have to hold their own in the trenches. Defensively, they don’t have to completely shut down Alabama’s running game, but if the Crimson Tide control the clock and are able to rely mainly on Henry, Clemson’s defense will eventually break. Offensively, the Tigers have to give Watson time to work his magic. There is a difference between Watson making plays with his legs and running for his life, but if Clemson can create a reasonable pocket, Watson is the type of playmaker that can do the rest and fuel an upset.

Bottom Line:

As dominant as Alabama has looked at times this year, it is going to be difficult for the Crimson Tide to cruise to an easy win in the title game. For one, Watson is the type of quarterback that have given Saban’s defense issues over the years. Whether it is Johnny Manziel, Cam Newton or Tim Tebow, dual-threat QBs have been able to shred Alabama’s defenses at times. Watson is more than capable of taking over a game and carrying the Tigers, just like Vince Young did when Texas upset a seemingly unbeatable Clemson team. Perhaps more importantly, Alexander has the skills to cover Alabama’s top target, Calvin Ridley, one-on-one, allowing the rest of the Clemson defense to focus on slowing Henry. At the end of the day, Watson will be able to make enough plays to at least keep this game close.

Prediction: Clemson Tigers (+7) Cover the Spread

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