LSU vs. Clemson: College Football Playoff National Championship preview and predictions

Yahoo ^ | January 12, 2020 | Sam Cooper

[C19fan]

No. 1 LSU (14-0) vs. No. 3 Clemson (14-0) Location: New Orleans | When: Jan. 13 (8 p.m.) | TV: ESPN | Line: LSU -5.5 HOW THESE TEAMS GOT HERE LSU: LSU ascended to new heights in its third season with Ed Orgeron as full-time head coach. And it took a major shift in offensive philosophy for the Tigers to take off. All offseason, Orgeron talked up his decision to hire New Orleans Saints assistant Joe Brady to run the offense alongside longtime confidant Steve Ensminger. It wasn’t just lip service. LSU went from the 69th-best offense in college football in 2018 to the No. 1 offense in 2019, earning Brady the Broyles Award, given to college football’s top assistant.

[C19fan]

You Are Looking Live!!!!

Cat Fight Bowl

Battle of Death Valley

#1 Draft Pick 2020 v. #1 Draft Pick 2021

Just as a disclaimer as if that matters, I have only watched one Clemson game as that was the semifinal against THE Ohio State University. I have watched six LSU games.

Some items I will look for:

Will LSU vary when they snap the ball to wrong foot the Clemson defense. Clemson DC Brent Venables attempts to get the last signal in pre-snap. THE Ohio State University was able to exploit this and snapped the ball as the Clemson defensive unit was looking at the sideline.

Venables/Simmons v. Burrow/Brady/Ensminger: All purpose defensive player Isiah Simmons can line up anywhere on the field. It will be interesting how Venables utilizes him in an attempt to fool Burrow and the OCs for LSU.

Clemson WRs v. LSU Secondary: Clemson have a pair of 6'4" WRs in Ross and Higgins with a four inch height advantage against the LSU CBs.

With vast improvements in the LSU after getting embarassed by Ole Miss my feeling LSU will win by double digits. Of course, don't blame me if you follow my betting advice and lose your house.

[Quality_Not_Quantity]

I am sick and tired of Ohio State’s arrogance in insisting on ‘THE’ instead of ‘The’.

</rant>

[JonPreston]

Does anyone outside of the fans of both teams really care about this game? CFB has been in the rear view mirror for most folks since late November.

[yarddog]

One thing I have noticed about Dabo is he seems to to take weak teams too lightly, but he is really good at getting his team up for the big game.

[bramps]

Does anyone outside of the fans of both teams really care about this game?

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I’m not a big college fan but I very much look to forward to the Championship game.

Plus I’m a Patriots fan so I’m in big time withdrawal right now and need to get my fix anywhere I can.

[RummyChick]

The hype team for LSU has done some amazing quality work. The guy behind it is a junior. The last one has The Rock narrating.

Here is the Swag video. As good as an NFL professional video

https://twitter.com/AthleteSwag/status/1215418279935737857

[JonPreston]

I’ll find something on Netflix or Amazon to watch. The marketing of this game was awful given that the NFL playoff weekend sucked up all the football oxygen.

[pburgh01]

I have no idea who is going to win this one. LSU has shown it’s chops this year beating some big name teams. ACC was really weak this year, so Clemson really is an unknown. I expect a close game. With maybe Clemson’s defense the difference.

My call Clemson 45-28 with a garbage touchdown with a couple minutes left. Burrow finally shows he’s human and throws 3 picks. Which end up in 17 points.

[mothball]

Clemson will not hold LSU to 28 points.

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

There’s useful and inspiring stories about the Clemson coach. He focuses on caring for and developing his players in every way including academics. Like Trump, he has a positive, victorious attitude. He’s openly Christian, prays with players, and is regularly criticized in leftist media by atheists and leftists for his faith-based actions. Clemson is therefore at the front of the culture war in sports.

Let’s not forget there are various areas of society and EVERY one of them needs redemption and can influence people for good or evil. You may not be focused on sports, arts, or mercy-oriented works (I’m not so much either), put other people are “wired” differently.

[RummyChick]

The answer to your question is YES.

Millions..and I mean MULTI MILLIONS are being bet on this game. Vegas has indicated it is the most bet college game EVER.

And they need Clemson to win.

So much is riding on this I Have taken some teasers on Clemson because I don’t see how Vegas is going to allow LSU to win...LOL

However, Ravens losing was a HUGE win for them so it will make up if LSU wins

Looking forward to what Patrick Everson reports on betting numbers

[thoughtomator]

it’ll just be the latest team to get curb stomped by Clemson

Clemson is damn close to a pro level team - they probably would not perform worse than Cincinnati in the NFL

[lodi90]

I’ll find something on Netflix or Amazon to watch.

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I’ll be watching the game but I hear obama has some stuff on netflix now.

[pburgh01]

Clemson will not hold LSU to 28 points.

Clemson has the best defense next to Auburn\Bama LSU has faced. Watch for Clemson to mix up coverages and blitz their linebackers often right up the gut. Where Burrow kills you is when you send safeties or corners to blitz. They do 8 yard out routes and their speed receivers do yards after catch well.

I think the staff at Clemson is a just a bit better than LSU at game prep. I'm a UF alum and we almost got them with a backup QB and 1/2 our starting Dline out. That game was one drive away from us upsetting them. Their corners are really suspect. We victimized them in our game. Clemson I think has been there before. LSU it's been a few years....the BCS years. I do like Coach O though, he's a quite character and LSU plays hard. Beat cheating Bama is no small feat.

[lodi90]

Yeah, I think this game comes down to if the Clemson defense can stop Burrow and the LSU O. I have my doubts. I think LSU will win a high scoring and close game.

[RummyChick]

btw, as a side note...if any of you know about Vegas Dave..LOL...a betting site has done something unusual and came out and said they can’t verify the bets.

Hilarious.

5Dimes Sportsbook
@5DimesSB
·

Attention: To date, we have been unable to confirm ANY winning wagers brought to our attention which are attributed to “Vegas Dave”. #itsvegasdave

[RummyChick]

I feel a tad sorry for Trevor Lawrence. His media session was all about Joe Burrow..even to the point as he is walking off and taking one last question it was about Burrow.

I am looking forward to the game.

[Conserv]

I like both teams and both quarterbacks, so I don’t care who wins.

I do like LSU’s coach better than Clemson’s.

As I said before, Dabo is a tad to hokey for me.

[C19fan]

Two betting trends to consider:

1: ESPN FPI has Clemson a 55% probability to win. Not sure what the record ATS is when the ESPN FPI is on the opposite side of Vegas

2: So far all the teams that wear purple have lost: James Madison University in the FCS championship, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings.

[lodi90]

Everybody got tired of Alabama for winning so much. Same now with Clemson. LSU is the new kid on the block and a fresh story.