CFB National Championship Game Odds Preview

College football fans and bettors are getting a rematch in the National Championship Game, as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers face off for the second consecutive year.

In the rematch the Crimson Tide are a 6-point favorite at the Bovada sportsbook. Last year Alabama was a 6.5-point favorite in their 45-40 victory over Clemson.

Alabama advanced to the title game with a 24-7 win over the Washington Huskies in the Peach Bowl as a 13-point favorite. Running back Bo Scarbrough paced the offense in the win with 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19 carries. Quarterback Jalen Hurts had a quiet game, completing 7-of-14 passes for 57 yards while also rushing for 50 yards on 19 carries. The Crimson Tide defense limited Washington to 194 yards of total offense while registering five sacks and three turnovers.

The Tigers booked their spot in the championship game by knocking off the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl as a 1.5-point underdog. Deshaun Watson passed for 259 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and he rushed for two TDs and 57 yards on 15 carries. Wayne Gallman also rushed for 85 yards and a TD on 18 carries. In pitching the shutout, the Clemson defense held Ohio State to 215 yards of offense while forcing three turnovers.

One notable change for Alabama will be on the sidelines. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin won’t be calling the plays after leaving Alabama last week. Alabama enters the game having won 26 straight with a 17-9 record against the spread. In their last nine games as the favorite they are 7-2 ATS, and they’re 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 postseason games.

Clemson is on a four-game winning streak at 2-2 ATS following a 13-1 season in which they were 7-7 ATS. As the underdog the Tigers have been a pretty solid bet. In their last five games as the underdog Clemson is 4-1 straight up and they’ve won six in a row ATS. One last trend that favors the Tigers – in their last seven games after losing the previous game in a matchup Clemson is 6-1 SU.