The Alabama Crimson Tide is a field-goal NCAA football betting favorite to defeat the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl, which also doubles as a College Football Playoff Championship semifinal. This will be a rematch from the 2017 CFP championship game, which was itself a rematch from the 2016 CFP final. Clemson won and covered on that occasion, beating Alabama 35-31. And like on that occasion, whoever wins this time around will most likely go on to win the national championship.
The 2018 Sugar Bowl – College Football Playoff Championship semifinal
- Date: Monday, 1st January
- Time: 8:50 PM
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Sportsbook odds:
Alabama -3 (-115) 47 (-110) -157
Clemson +3 (-105) 47 (-110) +137
Alabama is an almost infallible SU online betting proposition following a loss
Head coach Nick Saban turned a five-star class into yet another elite defensive unit. The Tide has allowed fewer yards or points this season than any other school, while posting 31 sacks and forcing 20 turnovers. However, the linebacker position has gone through some ups and downs due to injuries. Middle linebacker Dylan ‘Sweet Fancy’ Moses sustained a foot injury in Monday’s practice that may require surgery and keep him out of the Sugar Bowl, and, should ‘Bama make it there, the championship game. Moses was himself subbing for Shaun Dion Hamilton, who fractured a kneecap in the win over LSU on November 4th. On the other hand, Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis are returning on the outside, and interior linebacker Mack Wilson is coming back from an injured foot.
Alabama seldom loses, and it loses back-to-back even seldomer. The Tide is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games after a loss. Additionally, Alabama is 4-0 ATS in their last four games on fieldturf, 0-4 ATS playing a team with a winning record, and 0-4 against the NCAA football betting spread in their last four games in January.
Bowls, Mondays – Clemson covers both
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables originally reacted to the news that he’d go up against Alabama once again not unlike most sensible people did upon finding out they had split the last Twilight movie into two movies. “I’m not going to tell you what I really thought, all right,” Venables said. “It was like, hey man, you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best. I think for most of the year, 99 percent of the year, they’re at No. 1 and well deserved – had another incredible year.” but then he admitted that it was “a great challenge” and that “our guys are really excited about the opportunity.”
👀 @SInow pic.twitter.com/6WGCV3J2Nw
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 20, 2017
The Tigers’ own offense may not be the same without Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman and Mike Williams, but they still have weapons aplenty to engage in a shootout with the Tide. Clemson and Alabama have averaged a combined 75.5 points per game in their last two meetings. Clemson is 7-0 ATS in their last seven bowl games, 4-0 ATS in their last four Monday games. The NCAA football betting total has gone over in the Tigers’ last four games in January.