Alabama vs. Clemson 2017 Sugar Bowl Betting Pick & Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide squeaked into the College Football Playoff despite not even appearing in the SEC Championship. They lost to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, which let Auburn into the conference title game, but the fact that Ohio State beat previously unbeaten Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game opened up a slot, and the committee put the Tide into the semifinals. They will face top seed Clemson, who also comes in with a single loss, a bad setback at Syracuse back in September. This is the third consecutive year for Alabama and Clemson to meet in the College Football Playoff, with the Tide winning the national championship in 2016 and the Tigers winning it all a year ago. Let’s take a look at your Sugar Bowl betting suggestion for this classic tilt.

Alabama vs. Clemson 2017 Sugar Bowl Betting Pick & Preview

Welcome to New Orleans, @AlabamaFTBL! #SugarSemi pic.twitter.com/0scVQNxEAc

— Allstate Sugar Bowl (@SugarBowlNola) December 27, 2017

When: Monday, January 1, 2018, 8:45pm ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Atlanta TV: ESPN Radio: ESPN Radio Live Stream: WatchESPN Sugar Bowl Odds: Alabama (-3), O/U 47

Weather Forecast

• Mostly Cloudy: 4^°C/39^°F
• Humidity: 77%
• Precipitation: 13%
• Wind: 18 mph NNE
• Cloud Cover: 64%
• Type of Stadium: N/A

Why should you bet on the Crimson Tide?

Alabama comes into this game with plenty of motivation, as they have not taken the field since that 26-14 loss in the Iron Bowl. They also have that loss to Clemson in last year’s national championship to motivate them, as they saw Clemson come back late to seize that win in dramatic fashion. On offense, Alabama has sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the squad. He only threw for 1,940 yards on the season, but he had 15 touchdown passes and just one interception, and he also ran for 768 yards. Tailbacks Damian Harris and Bo Scarbrough can both gash opposing defenses — Harris averaged 8.2 yards per attempt this season. Alabama’s defense led the nation in points permitted, allowing just 11.5 points per game and holding opponents to single digits on eight occasions. Safety Hootie Jones will miss this game, and the Tide also has several starting linebackers who are either questionable or who are on the shelf. That hurt them down the stretch, especially in the Auburn game. The offensive line also had some injuries late in the regular season that made life tougher on Hurts. It’s not clear how many of the Tide starters are set to play in the semifinal. If you like the Tide, you think that they can shut down a Clemson offense that has shifted more to an emphasis on the run this season, and that they can score on a Clemson defense that has a lot of swagger of its own.

Why should you put your money on the Tigers?

One important thing to remember from that Clemson loss at Syracuse was that their quarterback, Kelly Bryant, had left the game with a concussion. For most of the season, Bryant has played well, posting 2,678 passing yards and throwing 13 touchdown passes (and six picks). He has also run for 646 yards on the season. He threw for 524 yards in his last two games, which included a 38-3 rout of Miami in the ACC title game. Travis Etienne (744 yards) and Tavien Feaster (659 yards) make a talented duo in the backfield; this offense averaged 35.4 points per game. On defense, Clemson permitted just 12.8 points per game, ranking them #2 in the nation behind Alabama. Clemson faced six ranked opponents this season and beat them all, which is a more impressive tally than Alabama can claim. If you like the Tigers, you think that their offense can find ways to score on the Tide — and given the thinness of that Alabama linebacker corps, you just might be right.

Expert Sugar Bowl Pick and Final Prediction

The mental factor is a strong one in this game. Alabama will come in looking for redemption and revenge. However, Clemson has brought home results against more solid opponents this year than Alabama has — and Clemson has fewer players on their injury report. I see Clemson finding ways to get through the Tide defense and get stops in the clutch. I predict a final score of Clemson 24, Alabama 23.