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Alabama – Clemson: How to bet on National Championship Game

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; The College Football Playoff National Championship logo at the arrival of the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide football teams at Sky Harbor International Airport for the College Football Playoff National Championship game to be played Monday. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; The College Football Playoff National Championship logo at the arrival of the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide football teams at Sky Harbor International Airport for the College Football Playoff National Championship game to be played Monday. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Crimson Tide are the favorite in the National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers, but do the betting odds and trends tell you to bet on the underdog or the favorite?

Clemson is undefeated and the No. 1 team in the country but they’re a 7-point underdog after, according to odds shark, against Nick Saban’s Alabama team.

Related Story: 5 Reasons why Alabama Beats Clemson

The No. 2 Crimson Tide beat the Michigan State Spartans in the Cotton Bowl, 38-0, and have Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry at running back. The also have a defense that’s allowed the fewest points this season and a head coach going for his fifth national championship.

Clemson is new to this stage with a sophomore quarterback in Deshaun Watson who finished in third place for the Heisman and is the nation’s best quarterback but if his offensive line can’t protect him, it could be a long night for the Tigers.

Running back Wayne Gallman ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Orange Bowl win for his sixth 100-yard game in the last seven games and wide receiver Artavis Scott is a budding star.

Related Story: 5 Reasons why Clemson Beats Alabama

The biggest concern for Clemson is the health of All-American defensive end Shaq Lawson who is a game-time decision after leaving the Orange Bowl with a knee sprain. He said he was 60 percent at Saturday’s Media Day.

It’s easy to see why Alabama is the betting favorite, but should you take the points and bet on the underdog from Clemson and should you bet on the over or the under?

How to Bet

Alabama is 5-1 against the spread in the last six while Clemson is 2-4 against the spread in their last six. The point spread opened at -5.5 so money if coming in on Alabama, as you would expect.

The moneyline is -245 for Alabama and +205 for Clemson and the over/under opened at 48.5 and is at 51, according to Bovada.

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I think we see Alabama and Clemson play to a 14-13 first half before Henry and the Alabama run game takes over in the second half and outscores Clemson 17-10 in the second and win 31-23.

Pick: Alabama covers the spread and the total will be over 51.

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