5. Over first half total 38
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
Even if you think these two are going to come up with an epic offensive battle, that’s still a big number to hit for a half.
The total is set for 75, so to get there, the two teams have to get to 38 in at least one of the halves – duh.
However, the 35-14 Ohio State lead over Clemson at halftime of the Rose Bowl was way above the norm.
Ohio State has outscored teams by about an average of 25-7 in the first half.
Alabama? It only outscored Notre Dame 21-7 at halftime. Like Ohio State’s game, that’s an anomaly, but in the other way – Bama games end the first half by an average of 29-16.
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Last year at half? LSU 28, Clemson 17 – over the 38.
The disaster in Santa Clara? Clemson 31, Alabama 16 – over the 38.
Jalen Hurts was throwing worm-burners all over the place as Bama got down 13-0 at halftime to Georgia to end the 2017 season, and Bama was only up 14-7 against Clemson in Tampa.
Even the epic 45-40 Alabama win over Clemson to end the 2015 season was only 14-14 at halftime.
With these two offenses, hope for the first half offensive trend of the last two years to continue – even if it will probably directly contradict No. 2 on the list.