Fiesta Bowl Total Prediction
The most anticipated bowl game this season is probably the Playstation Fiesta Bowl, which features No. 3 Clemson against No. 2 Ohio State. Will it be the offenses, or the defenses, that dictate the game?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Playstation Fiesta Bowl – College Football Playoff Semifinal
243 Clemson vs. 244 Ohio State
Saturday, December 28, 2019
8PM ET – State Farm Stadium
TV: ESPN
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Clemson is the slight favorite in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -2 points against Ohio State. The over/under total for the game is listed at 63 points. The public betting currently has 63 percent going on Clemson as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Clemson looking to defend title
Coming off the playoff championship last season, the Tigers have been somewhat overlooked this year despite having an unbeaten season. Clemson has won its last eight games by at least 31 points. The Tigers are 13-0 on the season, 10-3 against the spread and 7-6 with the under.
The Tigers have been dominant on both sides of the ball. Clemson is averaging 46.5 points and 547.7 yards per game on offense while allowing just 10.6 points and 244.7 yards per game on defense. Trevor Lawrence didn’t have the season many were expecting, but still threw for 3,172 yards and 34 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He also has rushed for 407 yards and seven touchdowns. Travis Etienne is leading the ground attack with 1,500 yards and 17 scores. Tee Higgins is the top receiver with 52 catches for 1,082 yards and 13 touchdowns. Isaiah Simmons is leading the defense with 93 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions.
Ohio State runs the table
Ohio State was the top-seeded team heading into championship week, but the Buckeyes had a scare against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship, which dropped it to the second seed. Ohio State won the game 34-21. The Buckeyes are 13-0 on the season, 9-4 against the spread and 6-6-1 with the over/under total.
Like Clemson, Ohio State is among the best nationally on both sides of the ball. The Buckeyes are averaging 48.7 points and 531 yards per game on offense, while allowing 12.5 points and 247.6 yards per contest. Chase Young leads the defense with 44 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He was a Heisman finalist alongside his QB, Justin Fields. Fields threw for 2,953 yards and 40 touchdowns with just one INT. He also rushed for 471 yards and 10 scores. J.K. Dobbins has rushed for 1,829 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Chris Olave is the leading receiver with 46 catches for 799 yards and 11 touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Clemson
The Tigers have hit the under in six of their last eight bowl games as a favorite and in four straight bowl semifinal games.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes have hit the under in four of their last five bowl games and in five of their last six against a winning team.
Prediction:
This game is definitely going to be interesting. It’s fair to say that Ohio State hasn’t played an offense like Clemson all season, and maybe a defense like Clemson’s either. The Tigers haven’t been challenged by anyone like Ohio State will either. Clemson has the chip on its shoulder for this game, feeling like its being disrespected because it comes out of the ACC. The Clemson defense hasn’t let it down all season and I think it’s going to be ready for Ohio State. The Tigers shut out the Buckeyes in 2016’s playoff meeting, 31-0. Clemson should have all the confidence in the world that its defense can contain the Ohio State speed. The Tigers also can challenge the Ohio State defense, but I don’t see Clemson scoring at will. Ohio State hasn’t looked quite as sharp against the likes of Penn State and Wisconsin, and Clemson is certainly a trumped-up version of those teams. I think Clemson’s defense will dictate the game and keep the total lower.
Fiesta Bowl Prediction: Clemson/Ohio State Under 63