24 hours away - Bama or Clemson?

[Tskware]

Last line I saw was Bama -6 1/2 and O/U around 50 or 51. I like Bama to cover the number. Not sure about O/U. I would think if you like Clemson, you are thinking the over is the right play? Not many people I talk to are expecting Clemson to win 17-14.

As an aside, has there ever been an NFL playoff WC weekend where the visiting (lower seeded) teams won all four games? If there has, I cannot remember it.

 

[tdcat]

I will take the Tide. And yes, first time four visiting teams won on same playoff weekend.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Clemson is very talented.....and Bama has had some trouble with balanced teams with mobile QB's before. I don't think it's as easy as saying, "SEC......Bama is better.....they will roll." Clemson is a really, really good team. However, here is what I will think will happen.

-Saban doesn't like up-tempo.....and for good reason. Soooo, I think Clemson comes out fast.
-Clemson has a really talented and good defense......so, they will hold back Bama's offense fairly decently at first
-Sooo, the score will be fairly even.....Clemson, may even take the lead soon.......for a while.
-But, then Bama does what they do best. They will pound, and pound, and pound, and pound. Bama will wear out Clemson and start to pull away. Henry will start to find running lanes and take over.
-Bama will pull away and win by at least 10

 

[why_not_kentucky]

Pulling for Clemson.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I'll take the Tide as well. Saban and company are just too good to lose out on a title 3 years in a row.

And I picked all 4 road teams in my picks this weekend. It was gutsy, as I was for sure one home team would win (was thinking either Cincy or Washington might pull it out), and got lucky as hell with the penalties on the Bungals and then the poor Minny kicker today. A lot of luck.

next week as of today I'd go with Denver, NE, Arizona and Seattle. I think Seattle dodged their bulet today, and if Lynch returns next week they are in good shape Let's put it this way, Carolina players and coaches cringed when the Minny kicker shanked that kick today IMO.

 

[mhroe1984]

Alabama: 31
Clemson: 21

 

[MrKentucky]

I think people are really underrating Clemson's defense in previewing this matchup (not here necessarily, just in general)... To me that unit has been possibly more integral to CU's success than the O.

I like Clemson 27-24, but I've been living 40 minutes away from their campus for 2+ years and have become somewhat of a fan so I'm biased.

 

[Brock28]

Roll Tide. Bama by 17.

 

[KYCAT78]

Any team that USCjr almost beat cannot be that good. I will take the Tide by 14,

 

[jauk11]

I have voted the straight party line in all the bowl games and it has been very good to me, hate to give that many points but no problemo in most of the other games. Hope Bama at least wins, I would hate to be overrun by the Card fans again.

By the way, watching a replay of the Bama-MSU game late in the third quarter Curt? said a pass from Coker outside the tackle box went out of bounds before it passed the LOS, so it should have been a penalty for grounding-----and his sidekick agreed with him (I noticed it live also). Not sure I have ever heard that before, is that right, I have never seen anyone trying to mark where a pass went out of bounds before, an almost impossible task sometimes with the QB two yards in bounds and throwing it thirty yards downfield two yards out of bounds. That bothered me, how many games have they done?

Most of the time the QB throws it out of bounds so no chance of an interception, no worry about where it lands. I found this definition (NFL), couldn't find one about the pass being out of bounds before it reached the LOS:

"Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line)." But then I think I have seen it called a few times when the QB wasn't facing imminent loss of yardage also.

 

[screwduke]

I'm going Clemson. Saban defenses have trouble going up against QBs just like Watson.

 

[htbud11]

Bama.

 

[Krisys]

Bama's d line will get more then enough pressure sending 4, leaving the option open of using the linebackers to spy watson. bama by 2 tds.

 

[mattadam]

Clemson. 14-0

 

[Bluetick2100]

Bama by pleanty

 

[CatPowered]

Bama...by a comfortable margin.....

 

[ukalumni00]

Pulling for Clemson because its been a long time for them. Bama will always have a strong shot at a NC.

That said, think Bama wears their defense down, but Watson is going to be a problem for Bama. Think this goes into the 4th close, but Bama pulls away. Clemson has talent and a lot of pride and confidence. They are not going to go away easily.

 

[JHB4UK]

Game will be over early in the 3rd, Bama rolls. Wish Clemson would win, touch the 'conference pride' garbage how many other SEC schools cheer for us, and especially to leave a Berea running back sitting on the bench ringless.

But Clemson came from a weak ACC, and just does not have the offensive weapons outside of Watson to move the ball and keep it close.
Bama 38
Clem's Son 16

 

[martycat1]

Bama by 4.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Game will be over early in the 3rd, Bama rolls. Wish Clemson would win, touch the 'conference pride' garbage how many other SEC schools cheer for us, and especially to leave a Berea running back sitting on the bench ringless.

But Clemson came from a weak ACC, and just does not have the offensive weapons outside of Watson to move the ball and keep it close.
Bama 38
Clem's Son 16

He may get a ring but he won't contribute to winning it.

 

[TeoJ]

Bama by 17

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

Bama dominates...by 10 at least and that will be w garbage points by clemson.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

He may get a ring but he won't contribute to winning it.

Everyone on the team contributes to winning a title as long as they practice and give effort and are part of the team.

Having said that, he will probably be one of the lead RBs on a title team in the next 3 years though considering he is at Alabama.

 

[rick64]

Go SEC!!!!! Roll Tide!!!!

 

[kyhusker2]

I'd like Clemson to win. I like Dabo and Clemson hasn't won in a long time.

That said, I think Bama wins.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

Any team that USCjr almost beat cannot be that good. I will take the Tide by 14,

heard Brian Kelly (ND) say this morning that Clemson is a different team now than they were early - very young, youth has matured, etc.

I know Saban has historically had some trouble with a mobile qb, but it's been said that that this Bama team isn't built the same way and hasn't had those difficulties. We'll see......

 

[DACats86]

Game will be over early in the 3rd, Bama rolls. Wish Clemson would win, touch the 'conference pride' garbage how many other SEC schools cheer for us, and especially to leave a Berea running back sitting on the bench ringless.

But Clemson came from a weak ACC, and just does not have the offensive weapons outside of Watson to move the ball and keep it close.
Bama 38
Clem's Son 16

^ This. Pulling for Clemson, but expect Bama to win.

 

[maysvilleky]

Last line I saw was Bama -6 1/2 and O/U around 50 or 51. I like Bama to cover the number. Not sure about O/U. I would think if you like Clemson, you are thinking the over is the right play? Not many people I talk to are expecting Clemson to win 17-14.

As an aside, has there ever been an NFL playoff WC weekend where the visiting (lower seeded) teams won all four games? If there has, I cannot remember it.

Bama by 10. 31 - 21.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

heard Brian Kelly (ND) say this morning that Clemson is a different team now than they were early - very young, youth has matured, etc.

I know Saban has historically had some trouble with a mobile qb, but it's been said that that this Bama team isn't built the same way and hasn't had those difficulties. We'll see......

They played SC the last game of the regular season

 

[JStaff21]

In my opinion it will be closer than many think.

Bama: 26
Clemson: 18

 

[KYCAT78]

heard Brian Kelly (ND) say this morning that Clemson is a different team now than they were early - very young, youth has matured, etc.

I know Saban has historically had some trouble with a mobile qb, but it's been said that that this Bama team isn't built the same way and hasn't had those difficulties. We'll see......

Dobbs for Tn. is the typical QB that gave them trouble in the past and they handled him pretty well. Saban and Smart have different guys on the line for different offenses which was not the Bama of last and previous years. If you notice they sometimes have 4 guys on the field ready to switch depending on the offensive set. Saban is not opposed to change unlike our basketball coach and his refusal
to play a zone.

 

[railroadkat_1]

Kirby Smart will have a solid game plan to stop or at least one to slow Clemson down. Roll Tide! Go BAMA SEC

 

[Tskware]

One similarity I noticed with the semifinal game: Mich State had scored a lot of points in a lot of its games . . . but struggled against the best teams on its schedule, e.g., Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa.

Clemson has an even better offense than MSU, but just like Michigan State, struggled to score against three of the better defensive teams on their schedule, e.g., UL, Fla State and Notre Dame. I will be pretty surprised if they go up and down the field against Alabama. That happened the last two years by Bama opponents (Oklahoma in the 2013 Sugar and Ohio State last year) but I don't see it happening tonight.

 

[jauk11]

He may get a ring but he won't contribute to winning it.

He might get a carry for two yards.

And Scarborough might get a carry for eight yards.

 

[JHB4UK]

Haha, so now Clemson's 2 best defenders, a DE & cornerback are gametime decisions on even playing due to injuries? CB with a late hammy the least likely to play.

 

[tWildcat]

Sounds like a lot of Clemson fans are there, outnumbering Bama fans. Not that it will have a huge affect on the outcome of the game, it just surprised me to hear it.

 

[Kommonwealth]

Game will be over early in the 3rd, Bama rolls. Wish Clemson would win, touch the 'conference pride' garbage how many other SEC schools cheer for us, and especially to leave a Berea running back sitting on the bench ringless.

But Clemson came from a weak ACC, and just does not have the offensive weapons outside of Watson to move the ball and keep it close.
Bama 38
Clem's Son 16

I agree on conference pride garbage....Bama winning doesn't do much of anything for us..it has actually cost us a 5 star RB. It may help us in recruiting but I think the SEC brand is solid anyways - doesn't need Bama to dominate to help the overall brand. Besides, our problems are basically coaching at this point. We have enough talent to take the next step (bowl game).

The overall ACC is weak, but UofL, FSU, UNC are all really good teams and FSU would win the east and play with any team in the West. I actually think UofL would win the East too...Call me crazy ~(seriously, how bad was UF? worst East champ in a long time).

I wouldn't say Clemson doesn't have weapons outside of Watson. That's part of their advantage that they have so many weapons. You must not have seen them play too much. They have a lot of WR depth and Gallman actually has 1,500 yards and the YPC as Derrick Henry. Jordan Leggett is one of the top TE in the country and was a finalist for the Mackey Award. Charone Peake and Artavis Scott could all play on any team in the country. That little guy Renfrow too is pretty fearless and catches everything.

Clemson's defense (injuries to 2 first rounders will sting bad) is actually solid and fairly deep. Their defense is completely overlooked for the most part (not by Bama I'm sure). They've actually stifled some of the best running attacks and O-lines this year in key situations....see 4th downs plays against FSU (Cook), OU (Perine) and ND. Naturally Bama would wear them down if Henry carries it 40 times and for them to go to him that much means they'd be successful.

Bama may pull away, but Clemson is probably the best all around team Bama has played this year.

 

[KYCAT78]

Sort of off topic but I was talking with my son yesterday about the Alabama defense and he said that next year will be the first year under Saban that the defense will start 5 stars at every position on defense.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Clemson has a dynamic offense, and some really good athletes on both sides of the ball. Clemson is good, but they beat Louisville by only 3 points 20-17. Now, I don't think Bama is going to do to Clemson, what they did to Mich. st. (a shut-out), but I see bama pulling away in the second half. The best coach in that Stadium tonight, will be wearing Crimson.
Bammer rolls by by 17.

 

[WildcatofNati]

I agree on conference pride garbage....Bama winning doesn't do much of anything for us..it has actually cost us a 5 star RB. It may help us in recruiting but I think the SEC brand is solid anyways - doesn't need Bama to dominate to help the overall brand. Besides, our problems are basically coaching at this point. We have enough talent to take the next step (bowl game).

The overall ACC is weak, but UofL, FSU, UNC are all really good teams and FSU would win the east and play with any team in the West. I actually think UofL would win the East too...Call me crazy ~(seriously, how bad was UF? worst East champ in a long time).

I wouldn't say Clemson doesn't have weapons outside of Watson. That's part of their advantage that they have so many weapons. You must not have seen them play too much. They have a lot of WR depth and Gallman actually has 1,500 yards and the YPC as Derrick Henry. Jordan Leggett is one of the top TE in the country and was a finalist for the Mackey Award. Charone Peake and Artavis Scott could all play on any team in the country. That little guy Renfrow too is pretty fearless and catches everything.

Clemson's defense (injuries to 2 first rounders will sting bad) is actually solid and fairly deep. Their defense is completely overlooked for the most part (not by Bama I'm sure). They've actually stifled some of the best running attacks and O-lines this year in key situations....see 4th downs plays against FSU (Cook), OU (Perine) and ND. Naturally Bama would wear them down if Henry carries it 40 times and for them to go to him that much means they'd be successful.

Bama may pull away, but Clemson is probably the best all around team Bama has played this year.

Louisville would have had the stuffing beaten out of them by Tennessee. They would have not been favored against Florida or Georgia, even if they were at home.