Clemson v. Bama in the CFP - Who Do You Pick and Why?

Submitted by xtramelanin on

Mates,

Hopefully next year we'll be watching Michigan play in this game, but for tonight we have the same two teams that played to a 45-40 game last year.   

This year 'Bama is a 7 pt favorite and if someone is picking without the points I'm guessing few of us would take Clemson.   That said, whether you are picking with or without the points, who are you taking for tonight's game and why are you picking them? 

 

XM

MGoBoard
Football

MGlobules

January 9th, 2017 at 4:04 PM ^

their opponents, heard them all say it was SOP. Now I'm like screw all of 'em! Or let 'em screw each other, or whatever! Bama seems to have Najee, one more strike against them--I guess I'd prefer the upset, but I've lost much sense of investment in the outcome. The whole season feels a little too endless and disappointing. . .

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Goggles Paisano

January 9th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^

I agree.  I hate bama as much the rest of us, but I think they win tonight.  The public bases so much of their decision on what happened in the last game.  Bama won but didn't play their best game.  Clemson was outstanding and played their best game of the year by far.  Bama will play better tonight than they did last week and Clemson will not play as well tonight as they did last week.  

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FatGuyTouchdown

January 9th, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^

There's seriously something to be said with how Lane Kiffen has handled the offense the past two years, and his relationship with Hurts is phenominal. Having a guy that can read the energy of the youngest, most important, and most impactful guy on the offense and to be able to call plays to get them comfortable takes an astounding amount of coaching acumen. Guy might be a douche but he's a douche with a phenominal track record as offensive coordinator.

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Lampuki22

January 9th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^

OK he's an SEC troll but he was on local radio this AM and made a few salient points (1) Alabama was hamstrung under Kiffen in the Semifinal. He called passes on first down 80% of the time and if he had not they would have beaten Washington by 40

 

(2) Somewhat OT but on that Najee Harris fellow he said Michigan was in on him but Saban is selling that players can go to Bama and play 2 years (saving hits/concussion) and still be a top pick in the NFL (profit).  So in other words the deep depth chart and not starting right away is a selling point. I think he said Saban himself told him this.  If so, it's pretty smart. 

 

I think Clemson is best stacked to compete against Bama. Watson and Williams are probably the 2 best players in that game. However, I think Bama will wear them doown with their running game   pull away and winnig something like 28 to 14.  [Edit: But I'll be rooting for Clemson]

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mjv

January 9th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^

The ability to only play two years is really telling.  The other thing is that an elite RB should look at the OL up front the following fall, not a rebuilding project because that RB only has 3 years at the school.

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Don

January 9th, 2017 at 11:57 AM ^

Before the repeal of freshmen eligibility, most collegiates played just three years. Since it was unheard of back then for anybody to go pro after their junior year, that meant every team had full complements of senior classes (minus normal attrition), making it somewhat unusual for true sophomores to start.

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Gobgoblue

January 9th, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^

because I want them to win.  More seriously, I think their defense is underrated--the pass rush they got on OSU was insane.  Obviously, Bama's OL will be much better, so I think it will come down to a few key stops on defense for both teams, and quarterback play.  

*Dickie V voice*

DeShaun Watson baby!!

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lilpenny1316

January 9th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^

Clemson's defense is improved from last year and I think they'll win the turnover battle.  Last year's game looked to be leaning in their direction until that 4th Qtr kick return TD.

But I'd rather Bama win.  A large part of me is still holding out hope that we can be the program to finally dethrone Bama on the biggest stage.  

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hunterjoe

January 9th, 2017 at 12:16 PM ^

Aside from us dethroning them, the fact that Clemson would have another recruiting tool could potentially hurt us.  I hate Bama and want them to lose but also don't want Clemson to win.  Bama is still going to be Bama in recruiting regardless, but a Clemson win might move them up a notch.  

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BlueinOK

January 9th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^

I hope Clemson gets the win. I'm sick of seeing Bama dominate college football every season. Plus all the SEC homers continue to act like its the whole conference that dominates when it's really just Alabama these days. And I like the color orange. 

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MGoChippewa

January 9th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^

but I'll be rooting for Bama.  Both fanbases are insufferable, but at least the Tide fans already have titles to back things up.  Don't really need Clemson to add a national championship to the arsenal when it comes to recruiting, etc.

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FauxMo

January 9th, 2017 at 2:15 PM ^

While technically you are correct, I understand the confusion. Clemson has that same SEC feel - like all their boosters are named either Boone or Cletus and own car dealerships or chicken farms and spend their last dime giving $1000 handshakes to kids they call racist names when they are not in their presence? 

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