OHIO ST vs CLEMSON
When: 1/1/2021 8:00 PM
Where:

TV: 8:00 PM
LINE: -7.5
PREDICTION: CLEMSON , OHIO ST

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEMSON listed as -7.5 point favorites versus the OHIO ST, while the game’s total is sitting at 66.

The impact of Ohio State’s 29-23 loss to Clemson in the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinal has reverberated for nearly a year among the Buckeyes.

On Jan. 1 they will have an opportunity to create happier memories at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans when they face the No. 2 Tigers (10-1) in a semifinal matchup for the third time in five seasons.

The Buckeyes (6-0) led 16-0 through 25 minutes last season before Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the comeback. Still, Ohio State drove to the Tigers’ 23 with a chance to potentially win the game until Justin Fields was intercepted in the end zone by Nolan Turner with 37 seconds left in the game.

“Fresh off of that game, it was right on our minds, and something that when we got back to work and winter workouts, January, February, it was right there for us,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Sunday. “Coming off that game, we just didn’t get over it in one day. It took time.

“As we got into spring ball, we started to move forward, and then the quarantine happened. The goal was to get back into the situation. … And we wanted – once that game was over, we wanted to get back here.”

There was even a sign with the score posted in the Buckeyes’ weight room – an honor usually reserved for rival Michigan.

After defeating Ohio State, Clemson was denied a second straight national title by losing to LSU. The Tigers also won the CFP title in 2016 following a 31-0 rout of the Buckeyes in the semifinal and they are 4-0 all-time in the series.

“If we’re playing Ohio State, it’s a playoff,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “Or it was a BCS bowl, back in 2013 in the Orange Bowl. We don’t have them on our regular schedule anytime in the near future, so you know it is a big, big postseason game when you play those guys.”

The No. 3 Buckeyes will try to establish the run using Trey Sermon, who gained a school and FBS conference championship game-record 331 yards during a 22-10 win over Northwestern in the Big Ten title game on Saturday.

Ohio State had 22 players out for the game, mostly because of COVID-19 issues, so the status of players such as top receiver Chris Olave and starting linebacker Baron Browning are unknown as they complete protocols. The Buckeyes might get a boost from the adjusted conference protocol for COVID quarantine, which is reduced to 17 days. Day said “a good number” of the players who missed the Big Ten title game should be cleared for the Jan. 1 game.

Lawrence tested positive earlier this season, missing the Nov. 7 double-overtime loss at Notre Dame. He showed he’s fully recovered by throwing for 322 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 90 yards and a score to down the Fighting Irish 34-10 to win the ACC championship Saturday.

He got support from running back Travis Etienne (124 yards and a TD on 10 carries).

Those two were lethal vs. the Buckeyes last season. Lawrence had 259 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 107 yards and a score on the ground while Etienne had 134 all-purpose yards and three TDs.

“I think (Lawrence) and Etienne are two of the most dynamic players in college football, and probably in the history of college football,” Day said.

Swinney’s opinion of Ohio State has been a hot topic since the release of the CFP rankings. Swinney said he felt the six-game resume of Ohio State, which began the season in late October, put the Buckeyes on a different playing field than many of the other contenders. Swinney backed up his feelings by rankings the Buckeyes No. 11 in the final coaches’ poll of the season.

“I think any time you step in between the lines, the game of football, there’s a lot that can happen. A lot,” Swinney said. “I mean, heck, in 2017, we lost to a three-win or four-win Syracuse team and still went to the playoffs. So anything can happen. Guys can get hurt. There’s a lot. So I think the fact that we’re going to have 11 games as well as the SEC teams — I mean, you look at Florida and Texas A&M and Alabama. I mean, these teams are going to have 11 games this year.

“It’s incredible and I think the Big Ten had the same opportunity and they chose not to play, and I think the only reason they ended up playing is because of the leadership of the SEC and the ACC and the Big 12, and have demonstrated that we can do it and do it in a safe way. So it’s been an unbelievably challenging season, that’s for sure. …

He continued: “Obviously, as coaches, we don’t control any of that stuff. So I do think that our team has played incredibly well. We had a double-overtime loss at the No. 2 team in the country now in Notre Dame, who’s a great team and an unbelievable game. Again, no matter what happens for Notre Dame or Clemson, nothing changes in my mind, as far as both of these teams being in the top four.”

Alabama head coach Nick Saban argued Sunday that, while Ohio State is talented, the psychological toll of the elongated season and the physical challenges of playing a full SEC schedule made for an unfair advantage to teams that are relatively rested and fresh entering January.

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GA SOUTHERN vs CLEMSON
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 15, 2018
Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina

TV: 3:30 PM
LINE: -34.5
PREDICTION: CLEMSON , GA SOUTHERN

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEMSON listed as -34.5 point favorites versus the GA SOUTHERN, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.5.

Second-ranked Clemson will be a big favorite at home against Georgia Southern on Saturday. But Tigers coach Dabo Swinney is wary of the upset-minded Eagles, who have a proud history that includes six FCS national titles and a victory at Florida in 2013.

“This is a team that has gone into ‘The Swamp’ and won. This is a team that went to Alabama a couple years ago and rushed for 300-something yards,” Swinney told reporters. “This is a team that went to Georgia in Athens and rushed for about the same. … This is a team that will not be intimidated that they’re playing Clemson.” Georgia Southern has hammered its first two opponents to match last season’s win total, beating South Carolina State (37-6) and UMass (34-13). The Tigers narrowly escaped Kyle Field with a 28-26 win over Texas A&M last week after stopping a two-point conversion try and recovering an onside kick. The game could be played on a sloppy field, as Hurricane Florence is expected to impact much of the state, prompting Clemson to move the kickoff time up 3 1/2 hours.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: Clemson -34.5

ABOUT GEORGIA SOUTHERN (2-0): The Eagles average 326.5 rushing yards – fourth-most in FBS – but will have a tough assignment against Clemson’s stout defensive front. Quarterback Shai Werts leads the rushing attack with 246 yards and four touchdowns, while Wesley Fields (173 yards, touchdown) and Monteo Garrett (117, two) also have been effective. The defense has been outstanding, allowing only 237 yards per game, but will face by far its toughest test yet.

ABOUT CLEMSON (2-0): Swinney has said he will continue to use both Kelly Bryant (337 yards, two TDs) and Trevor Lawrence (230, four) at quarterback, although it was Bryant who took control at Texas A&M. The veteran also is the Tigers’ No. 2 rusher with 98 yards and two touchdowns, trailing only Travis Etienne (107 yards, two TDs). Clemson’s defense has been excellent, especially against the run as it held its first two opponents to 2.2 yards per attempt.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Clemson is one of six teams in the nation that has not committed a turnover, while Georgia Southern has just one giveaway.

2. The Tigers have won 17 consecutive regular-season non-conference games, the longest streak in program history.

3. Clemson WR Hunter Renfrow has caught a pass in 30 consecutive contests.

PREDICTION: Clemson 34, Georgia Southern 10

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CLEMSON vs TEXAS A&M
When: 9/8/2018 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: TEXAS AandM , CLEMSON

Oddsmakers currently have the TEXAS A&M listed as point favorites versus the CLEMSON, while the game’s total is sitting at .

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Clemson Tigers vs Alabama Crimson Tide
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, January 9, 2017
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

TV: 8:17 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Alabama -6.5
PREDICTION: Alabama 30, Clemson 28

Oddsmakers currently have the ALABAMA listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the CLEMSON, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

There just might be an antidote to Alabama’s best-in-the-nation defense. His name is Deshaun Watson.

Clemson’s junior quarterback rolled up 478 yards and directed the Tigers to 40 points in last season’s national championship loss to the Tide. He’s back for more — especially a ring — when No. 1 Alabama (14-0) and No. 2 Clemson (13-1) play Monday in Tampa, Fla., for this season’s title (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

“Deshaun Watson has played big in every game since he’s been at Clemson,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “I think he’s played great his whole three years. I mean, great.”

If anybody is going to unravel the Tide, it’s Watson. He’s an athletic dual-threat. He has a big arm and go-deep receivers. That all means big plays. You don’t beat Alabama with methodical 12-play, 75-yard drives. You need “chunk” plays. You need “splash” plays.

Clemson carved up Alabama with 10 plays of 20-plus yards last season. Contrast that to Saturday, when the Tide allowed one such play — a 20-yard pass — in a dominating 24-7 semifinal victory over Washington.

“I thought he played fantastic against us last year,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said of Watson.

“He may be arguably the best player in college football. The guy is very athletic. He’s got a great understanding of their offense. He does a really good job of executing for his team. He can extend plays. He can run. He can run quarterback runs. And he’s a terrific passer. I mean, he is the complete package.”

The knock on Watson — the Heisman runner-up this season and third-place finisher last year — are his 30 interceptions in 29 games in the past two seasons.

While that might be disconcerting for Clemson fans, it’s probably not as distressing as losing your offensive play-caller the week before the season’s biggest game.

That’s the highly unusual position Alabama is in after Saban parted ways with Lane Kiffin on Monday, saying that Kiffin hasn’t been able to successfully juggle two jobs since accepting the coaching position at Florida Atlantic.

Saban elevated offensive analyst Steve Sarkisian to coordinator. Sarkisian has been involved with the planning of the offense this season, but, by NCAA rule, wasn’t able to coach at practice or otherwise instruct the players.

Now, Sarkisian directs freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts and tries to find a play-calling rhythm against a Clemson defense coming off a 31-0 shutout of Ohio State.

Hurts has many of the same qualities as Watson, just in a younger package. In fact, when he enrolled early at Alabama at last year’s winter break, he played the role of Watson on the Tide’s scout team in preparation for the title game, won 45-40 by the Tide.

Hurts was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, directing an offense that was best when it played up-tempo. Alabama often relied on its ground attack, led by Hurts and running backs Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough, but it has multiple threats in the passing game, including receivers ArDarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley, and tight end O.J. Howard, the offensive MVP of last season’s championship game.

“I guess you’ve got some nuances that might be a little bit different maybe from a play-call or something like that, but it’s not like they’re going to come out and run the triple option,” Swinney said of Alabama’s change of coordinators.

“They’re going to do what they do. It’s just as simple as that. Why would they change? Nobody has stopped them.”

Alabama, going for its fifth title in eight seasons, leads the country in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. Clemson is salty, too, seventh in scoring defense and eighth in total defense.

One mistake by either quarterback could be the difference. Alabama has scored 11 times on defense this season and will be hunting off-target throws by Watson. Clemson, as is its usual strategy under coordinator Brent Venables, will bring defensive pressure and force Hurts to make quick decisions and complete passes in the intermediate and deep zones.

No true freshman quarterback has led his team to the national championship since 1985, when Jamelle Holieway did so for Oklahoma.

Will quarterback experience matter?

Will defenses rule?

Clemson is going for its first national title since 1981, and Swinney said these Tigers have “more juice” than the 2015 squad. Meanwhile, at Alabama, winning never gets old.

“When you play an outstanding opponent, that’s something that in and of itself as a competitor is motivation,” Saban said. “And that’s certainly the case in this game.”

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South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Clemson Tigers
When: 11/26/2016 7:30 PM

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN.
LINE: Clemson -24
PREDICTION: Clemson 33, South Carolina 20

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says his team is in the “championship phase” of its season, and, after clinching the ACC Atlantic Division title last week, there’s another one at stake this week — the state championship.

The Tigers (10-1, 7-1 ACC) will play host to arch-rival South Carolina (6-5, 3-5 SEC) on Saturday in the regular-season finale with the Palmetto Bowl trophy going to the winner. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Clemson is 7:30 p.m. ET with ESPN doing the telecast.

Swinney refers to the Tigers’ annual game against in-state rival South Carolina as “a season of its own.”

“It really doesn’t matter what the records are and all that type of stuff,” Swinney said. “When you get into these rivalry-type games, it’s a lot of emotion and anything that can happen, so we know that we have to play very well.”

South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is getting his first exposure to this rivalry, but knows intrastate “feuds” after recent coaching stints at Auburn (Alabama) and Florida (Florida State).

“I don’t know if the other stops will help you at all, other than being here your first day and walking by people talking about beating Clemson,” he said. “You hear that very quickly, and you understand the importance of the game.

“We’ve talked about winning our state all the time — whether it’s recruiting or on the field, whatever we need to do. The competition between the two schools is very healthy.”

Swinney liked the way his team responded last week following its only loss of the season. Following the setback at home to Pittsburgh, the Tigers rebounded in a big way with a 35-13 victory at Wake Forest. They flashed an effective rushing game behind Wayne Gallman, who posted a season-high 161 yards, and Clemson finished with more yards rushing (254) than passing (202) for the first time this season.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to be the catalyst. He has passed for just over 298 yards a game and is the second-leading rusher on the team with 422 yards to Gallman’s 831. His favorite targets, wide receivers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, have combined for 128 receptions for 1,481 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Watson, who has announced his intention to bypass his senior season to enter the NFL draft, is looking to go 3-0 against South Carolina in his collegiate career. He has gone 34-of-46 passing for 561 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 127 yards in the two previous games.

“I don’t know if you’re going to stop a guy like him,” Muschamp said. “You have to limit him, and that’s exactly the word we’ve used.

“Where he gives you the most issues is the off-rhythm plays and his creativity. It’s very hard to finish on him in the pocket because he’s a bigger target who is a hard guy to get down. He’s a strong guy, and he also runs extremely well.

“All of the things you want in your quarterback he possesses. Number one is his leadership ability and his ability to positively affect the guys around him.”

Two freshmen and a sophomore have helped turn South Carolina around. Muschamp took the redshirt off a true freshman at midseason, turning the offense over to Jake Bentley, and Bentley has made that decision pay off by completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 198 yards a game.

Running back Rico Dowdle, who also was in high school this time a year ago, jump-started the running game. He has rushed for 684 yards in seven games and is coming off a 226-yard effort last week against Western Carolina.

And sophomore wide receiver Deebo Samuel has recovered from an early-season hamstring problem and has caught a team-high 41 passes for 579 yards in eight games.

“It’s not going to take anything spectacular,” Muschamp said on preparing for the “Death Valley” atmosphere. “We just need to go play well. We need to go play hard. We need to go play fast. We need to play physical. We need to go play with great effort. We need to play smart.

“We need to keep our composure in a rivalry game — all of the things that you always constantly address with your guys in this type of game.”

The post South Carolina vs. Clemson Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Bowers was arraigned Monday on charges of criminal possession of a weapon and posted $10,000 bond. Team officials said Tuesday they won’t comment until they have all the facts.

According to authorities, Bowers was arrested at LaGuardia Airport as he was about to board a U.S. Airways flight to Raleigh, N.C. The .40-caliber weapon was found during a search of his carry-on bag.

Efforts to reach his attorney were unsuccessful.

Bowers played college football for Clemson and was selected by the Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL draft.

Former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was arrested on the same charge after he accidentally shot himself in a nightclub in 2008. He eventually served time in prison.

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