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The Crimson Tide shutout Michigan State 38-0 on New Year's Eve as 10.5-point favorites in this season's Cotton Bowl to make their way back to the national title game for the first time since 2012. On Jan. 11, they will be looking to win their fourth national championship since 2009 under the guidance of head coach Nick Saban. With last week's win, Alabama has now covered against the spread in five of its last six games with the total staying UNDER or ending as a PUSH in four of those contests.
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Alabama's dominance over the Spartans in that national semifinal matchup could have been its finest effort of the season, which points to this team being at the top of its game at the right time of the year. Heisman trophy winner Derrick Henry was held to just 75 yards on 20 carries in that game, but the offense as a whole still rushed for 154 yards while adding another 286 yards through the air. The defense pitched its second shutout of the season and overall this unit is allowing an average of just 14.4 points a game, which is the third lowest total in the country.
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Clemson's current form coming into the CFP Championship is also at its best following an impressive 35-17 victory over Oklahoma as a 3.5-point underdog. The Tigers also covered ATS as 6.5-point favorites in their 45-37 win against North Carolina in this season's ACC title game. They are now an even 4-4 ATS in their last eight games with the total going OVER in five of those outings.
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The pressure will be dialed-up on All-American quarterback Deshaun Watson after his stellar performance in the win over the Sooners. He threw for 187 yards and two scores while adding another 145 yards and a touchdown on the ground. All told, the Tigers rushed for 312 yards on 58 carries in that game. Most of the credit for the team's upset win in this season's Orange Bowl should go to the Clemson defense. While this unit still allowed 311 passing yards, it held Oklahoma to just 67 yards on the ground. The most impressive stat was the 17 points it allowed on the scoreboard.
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Alabama vs. Clemson Game Betting Trends
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The Crimson Tide is 4-0 ATS in their last four games against the ACC and they are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games played at a neutral site. The total has gone OVER in six of their last seven games played in January.
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The Tigers have covered ATS in their last six neutral-site games and they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games outside their conference. The total has stayed UNDER in 16 of their last 23 games against a team from the SEC.
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These two last met in the 2008 season opener with Alabama rolling to a 34-10 victory as a four-point road underdog. The total stayed UNDER the 46.5-point closing line.
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