The Clemson Tigers (14-0) and LSU Tigers (14-0) meet up in Monday’s CFP National Football Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the LSU-Clemson odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.
LSU vs. Clemson: Three things you need to know for the National Football Championship
1. The “Tiger Bowl” features the nation’s No. 1 (LSU) and No. 4 (Clemson) offenses (points scored) and the No. 1 (Clemson) and 28 (LSU) defenses by the same measure. The LSU offense is being given top billing as the biggest factor in the game. The Tigers have assaulted foes every week since Halloween. What’s scary is being tasked with the job of stopping an LSU offense that has averaged 601.8 yards per game over the same span.
2. Clemson’s win over Ohio State was unlikely but impressive, and this is a program and a coaching staff that has been to the title game before – for a fourth time in five years, in fact. Other than the win over the Buckeyes, Clemson can’t claim statistical game comps to LSU’s top victories. None of LSU’s foes hold a candle to the 2019 Buckeyes, and Clemson’s “poor man’s comps.” Routs of North Carolina, Florida State, Wake Forest and Virginia were just that commanding in the area of game control.
3. If Monday’s game becomes a shootout with a close score late, don’t underestimate the importance of LSU freshman PK Cade York who is 21-for-26 on field goals this season. York gets more work than one might think, and he has the trust of head coach Ed Orgeron.
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LSU vs. Clemson: Odds, betting lines and picks for the National Football Championship
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Clemson 31, LSU 28
Moneyline (ML)
The against the spread play is preferred, but back CLEMSON (+190) for the outright win as a supplementary move.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Clemson returns a profit of $19.
Against the Spread (ATS)
Look for Monday’s game to be close and perhaps one below the expectations of the offensive shootout some are projecting. Also, bettors should be willing to zig against the conventional-wisdom zag of the idea of defense not winning championships in the playoff era. There’s no decent sample size there, and the teams performing best in the bracket era have been undervalued in how good they really are on defense.
Look for a couple three-and-outs pitched by the Tigers in orange to loom large. Both offenses excel on the final 60 feet of the gridiron; but Clemson’s situational defense is a difference-maker. Take CLEMSON (+5.5, -110).
Over/Under (O/U)
I envision a game flow making for a lean on the UNDER 69.5 (-115). We may be better served waiting for a better price on game night as public betting action pushes this number higher.
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