The top-ranked LSU Tigers (-5) are favorites against the No. 3 Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T. The game will get going at 8:00 p.m. ET and ESPN has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: LSU Tigers vs. Clemson Tigers
Clemson is the underdog in this game and is currently receiving 5 points. Clemson is receiving +180 moneyline odds while LSU is -220. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 69 points, and if one squad catches a lucky break early, it will probably lead to a nice live betting scenario.
The early action has moved to LSU. The opening line was initially -3 and the O/U was set originally at 68.5.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as Clemson has gained 2.0 units while LSU is up 8.8 units.
Clemson has gone 14-0 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Tigers are also 14-0 SU.
Clemson is hoping to remain undefeated following a 29-23 win over Ohio State on December 28. Trevor Lawrence completed only 18 passes on 33 attempts for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Lawrence (107 rushing yards on 16 attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Travis Etienne (36 yards on 10 carries, one TD). Justyn Ross (six receptions, 47 yards) and Tee Higgins (four catches, 33 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
LSU just earned a 63-28 win over Oklahoma back in Week 18. Joe Burrow completed 29-of-39 passes for 493 yards and seven touchdowns. Chris Curry (90 rushing yards on 16 attempts) led the running game while Justin Jefferson (14 receptions, 227 yards, four TDs) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (six catches, 80 yards, two TDs) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Clemson has run the ball on 53.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while LSU has an overall rush percentage of 48.1 percent. The Tigers has rushed for 246.1 yards/game and has 42 scores on the ground this year. LSU is logging 166.9 rush yards per game and has 31 total rushing TDs.
Based on the numbers this season, it seems like Clemson should hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, since its backfield has generated 6.4 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.1 yards per rush attempt to opponents. LSU has ran for 4.9 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.6 to opponents.
The Clemson offense has logged 292.2 yards/contest in the air overall and has 40 passing scores so far. LSU has produced a ridiculous 397.2 pass yards per contest and has 56 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Clemson seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents run for an average of 112.6 yards and pass for 151.5 yards per game. The LSU defense has allowed 221.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 118.0 yards per game to opposing runners. Clemson is allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 2.72 to opponents, while LSU has given up a 4.8 ANY/A.
Offensively, Lawrence is up to 3,129 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 67 percent of his 348 attempts with 32 passing scores and only eight interceptions. Lawrence’s got a 9.16 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 10.67 over the last two games.
On the other sideline, Joe Burrow has completed 343-of-440 passes for 4,859 yards, 51 TDs and six INTs. Burrow’s ANY/A stands at 11.64 for the season and 13.06 over his last two games.
Clemson Tigers vs. LSU Tigers NCAA Pick
SU Winner: LSU, ATS Winner: LSU, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Clemson defense has sacked opposing QBs 42 times this year. LSU has registered just 35 sacks.
- The LSU offense has lost five fumbles in 2019 while Clemson has let four get away.
- The Clemson offense has recorded 14 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while LSU has accounted for 21 such plays.
- The Clemson defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while LSU has given up seven such plays.
- The Clemson offense has created 29 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while LSU has created 21 such runs.
- The Clemson defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while LSU has given up 13 such runs.
- As a team, Clemson has rushed for 5.4 yards per attempt over its last three games and 5.5 over its last two.
- LSU has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.3 over its past two.
