3 Reasons to Bet for Clemson to Win the CFB Championship

The new College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday night. The Top 3 of Alabama, Clemson and Michigan is not likely to change. But there will be a new No. 4 team — probably Washington — after Texas A&M was upset against Mississippi State on Saturday. Here are three reasons I believe it’s wise to bet on Clemson to win the school’s second-ever national title. The Tigers are currently +700 to do so on college football odds.

3 Reasons to Bet for Clemson to Win the College Football Championship

9-0! #Appreciate the journey! pic.twitter.com/NaJIMl0hRN

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 5, 2016

Clemson Has Deshaun Watson

OK, maybe Watson has had the title of most electric player in the nation taken from him by Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is the clear-cut Heisman Trophy favorite. But Watson also beat Jackson head-to- head and Louisville might not even reach the playoff. Clemson will clinch a spot in a second straight ACC title game with a win over Pittsburgh this week. The Tigers got a scare in this past Saturday’s blowout win over Syracuse. Watson left with a bruised right shoulder after getting tackled in the second quarter. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said at halftime the injury didn’t appear serious, calling it a “shoulder stinger.” The team announced Watson would not start the second half, but was available to play if needed. Because the game wasn’t close, Watson wasn’t needed. Watson had a pretty decent first half as he threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 39 yards and a third score. He’s the type of player who can win a game by himself, regardless of competition.

Tigers Have Easiest Path To Playoff

Alabama still has to play a good Auburn team and then a potentially dangerous foe in the SEC Championship Game. Michigan still has to play at Ohio State, with the Buckeyes as betting favorites and then potentially a very good Wisconsin team in a rematch in the Big Ten title game if UM gets there. Washington could lose this week at home to surging USC and has a tough Apple Cup game against Washington State in the regular-season finale — then a challenging Pac-12 title game most likely against Colorado or Utah. Clemson’s remaining regular-season schedule is cake: Pittsburgh this week, at Wake Forest and home to South Carolina. The ACC Coastal Division champion is probably going to be Virginia Tech. Good team but not in Clemson’s league. The Tigers have won 26 straight non-national championship games.

Clemson Knows How To Play Alabama

Of course Clemson lost a thriller top Alabama in last year’s national title game and that experience of going against the Tide can only help Clemson. Watson was magnificent in that 45-40 loss in throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns. The Tide were somewhat lucky to win that game. With 10:34 left in the fourth quarter and Alabama having just tied the game at 24-24, Bama coach Nick Saban took a gamble to try to keep the ball away from Watson. He called for an onside kick called “pop kick” from Adam Griffith, and Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey caught it over the shoulder at midfield. Meanwhile, Alabama’s QB is a freshman, Jalen Hurts. Good player and future Heisman candidate, but how will he perform on the biggest stage? We already know the answer regarding to Watson.