Clemson vs. LSU Total Prediction
While many football fans are expecting a shootout tonight in New Orleans for the College Football National Championship Game, are we discounting the defenses for Clemson and LSU? Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and the total for tonight’s game is falling.
Game Snapshot
283 Clemson Tigers (+5) at 284 LSU (-5); o/u 67
8:00 p.m. ET, Monday, January 13, 2020
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Public Betting
According to our College Football Public Betting Chart page, the LSU Tigers are drawing the majority of tickets from public bettors. As of this writing, 63% of betting tickets are on LSU to cover the 5-point spread tonight versus Clemson.
LSU Tigers Fantasy Spin
LSU redshirt senior QB Joe Burrow completed 29-of-39 passes for 493 yards and seven touchdowns in Saturday’s 63-28 obliteration of Oklahoma in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Burrow (6’4/216) played one of the most dazzling first halves in the history of the sport of football — not hyperbole — throwing for 403 yards and seven touchdowns before the game had even hit intermission. The 2019 Heisman winner connected for three scoring passes in the first quarter before ramping up for four more in Q2. Those seven touchdown passes set a Playoff record and were tied for the most in any bowl, ever. The Tigers led 49-14 at the half. Just absurd. Burrow capped off his beautiful performance with a short rushing touchdown to open the third quarter. He would spend most of the fourth quarter resting on the bench. With the victory, LSU is on to the title game, where they will face off with the winner of the Playoff semi matchup between Clemson and Ohio State (set to kick later on Saturday).
Clemson Tigers Fantasy Spin
Clemson sophomore QB Trevor Lawrence completed 18-of-33 passes for 259 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 107 yards with a score in a 29-23 win over Ohio State on Saturday in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl. Both of Lawrence’s touchdown throws went to Travis Etienne, and Etienne did most of the work on those connections. While the 6-foot-6, 220-pound signal-caller has certainly shown his ability to make plays with his legs, it was surprising to see how effective he was on Saturday against the Buckeyes. The play of the night was a 67-yard touchdown that saw Lawrence break down a couple of Ohio State defenders like a point guard with a crossover. It wasn’t his best passing night by any means, but it was good enough as the Tigers move on to the CFB Championship on January 13 against LSU. Lawrence still has yet to lose a college football game.
Betting Trends
LSU
The over is 6-1-1 in the Tigers’ last eight non-conference games and is 11-5-1 in in their last 1 7 games overall.
Clemson
The under is 13-6 in the Tigers’ last 19 bowl games and is 5-2 in their last seven neutral site games.
Prediction
I don’t see this game being as high-scoring as most. Yes, Joe Burrow has been unstoppable and yes, Clemson has the pieces with Trevor Lawrence and Co. to hang 30-plus points on the board themselves. However, if Clemson is going to win this game, I see them needing to run the ball effectively like they did with Lawrence and Travis Etinne in its win over Ohio State. I don’t see Dabo Swinney wanting to get into a pissing matchup with LSU on the turf of the Superdome tonight. Plus, with the Clemson DC Brent Venables is one of the best in the nation when it comes to in-game adjustments. So even if LSU jumps out to a quick lead with a couple of fast scores, I envision Venables making the adjustments to slow down Burrow and at least force the Tigers to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. While the focus has been on the offenses leading up to this game, let’s not forget about how dominant the defenses have been as well.
2020 National Championship Game Total Prediction: LSU/Clemson UNDER 67