Much to the surprise of no one, Clemson was selected as the #1 overall seed in the College Playoff today. What might surprise many people, is that the Tigers go into their semifinal matchup as a 2.5 point underdog to the Oklahoma Sooners.
Clearly, Las Vegas believes that Oklahoma’s schedule was far superior to Clemson and that’s why they have been made the favorites. The Tigers enter the game with an undefeated record, but haven’t been severely tested in the ACC. Oklahoma on the other hand, enters the game with 1-loss but played in the super competitive Big 12. The Sooners also can claim a high-profile non-conference win at Tennessee. The Tigers non-conference slate of Wofford, Appalachian State and a struggling South Carolina program, didn’t impress the odds makers.
Those setting the lines also can point to the recent run of games for both teams when making the Sooners the favorites. Last time out, Oklahoma dominated a formidable Oklahoma State team on their field. In contrast, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers struggled to defeat a poor South Carolina team and an unchallenged North Carolina in the last two weeks. Recent momentum certainly favors Bob Stoops’ Sooners.
As the game approaches it will be interesting to see how much of a storyline the opening line becomes. You can bet that Stoops will try to distance his guys from the noise of being favorites while Swinney will use his team’s underdog status as a significant motivational tool.
Swinney and the Tigers surely feel disrespected by their status as underdogs, but they will use it as fuel heading into their semifinal contest with the Sooners.
Clearly, Las Vegas believes that Oklahoma’s schedule was far superior to Clemson and that’s why they have been made the favorites. The Tigers enter the game with an undefeated record, but haven’t been severely tested in the ACC. Oklahoma on the other hand, enters the game with 1-loss but played in the super competitive Big 12. The Sooners also can claim a high-profile non-conference win at Tennessee. The Tigers non-conference slate of Wofford, Appalachian State and a struggling South Carolina program, didn’t impress the odds makers.
Those setting the lines also can point to the recent run of games for both teams when making the Sooners the favorites. Last time out, Oklahoma dominated a formidable Oklahoma State team on their field. In contrast, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers struggled to defeat a poor South Carolina team and an unchallenged North Carolina in the last two weeks. Recent momentum certainly favors Bob Stoops’ Sooners.
As the game approaches it will be interesting to see how much of a storyline the opening line becomes. You can bet that Stoops will try to distance his guys from the noise of being favorites while Swinney will use his team’s underdog status as a significant motivational tool.
Swinney and the Tigers surely feel disrespected by their status as underdogs, but they will use it as fuel heading into their semifinal contest with the Sooners.
