SPORTS GROUCH - The Final 4

Posted 12/25/19

No, we’re not talking about March Madness. At least not yet.

We’re talking about the 4 college teams who will duke it out Saturday to see who plays for the national title,

Clemson is …

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SPORTS GROUCH - The Final 4

Posted

No, we’re not talking about March Madness. At least not yet.
We’re talking about the 4 college teams who will duke it out Saturday to see who plays for the national title,
Clemson is favored by 2 points over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Clemson is 2nd in the championship odds at +185 slightly behind LSU. 
Clemson is favored over Ohio State despite being ranked behind the Buckeyes by the brainiacs running the college championships. 
The Buckeyes have kept the betting crowd happy this season going 9-4 against the Las Vegas spread. 
Clemson competition
Clemson has dealt with big point spreads this season as the defending champions and its schedule against weaker ACC foes. 
Clemson’s weak ACC competition probably cost Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence legitimate shots at the Heisman Trophy.
I don’t mean to take anything away from Lamar Jackson of Louisville or Joe Burrow of LSU. Both had spectacular college seasons.
Additionally,  Jackson may lead the Baltimore Ravens to an NFL Super Bowl victory this season.
But the year that Watson’s Clemson team beat Jackson’s Louisville team, Jackson won the Heisman.
Will it be ironic if Lawrence and Clemson beat Burrow and LSU in the college title game after Burrow won the Heisman?
Frankly, Heismam voting should come after, not before the title game.
Who’s favored?
The Tigers have done better against the odds than Ohio State. They went 10-3 against the spread this year and have been tested only by the UNC Tar Heels who upset the Gamecocks. 
Since Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields transferred from Georgia, he has the offense playing well. 
The Buckeyes are No. 1 in average points with 48.7 a game. But this number has fallen. They averaged 39.3 points in their last 3 games. 
The biggest question is what will Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields injuries do to his team’s chances. 
He suffered a sprained knee ligament against Michigan and looked shaky in the Big 10 title game. 
LSU vs. Oklahoma
In the other game Saturday,  Oklahoma will have to stop Joe Burrow and LSU. 
Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts is used to this kind of pressure. He transferred from Alabama after losing his starting job.
After what happened to Alabama this year, I’d bet Nick Saban would have loved to have him back.
My bet is on LSU.
The winners in both games must do 3 things:
1. Make no stupid mistakes. False starts, extra players on the field and other mental lapses will hurt.
2. Adjust game plans to what happens in the game to take advantage of all opponents’ weaknesses.
3. Play a great 4th quarter. 
Saturday’s outcomes may come down to that.
   The Sports Grouch welcomes email at ChronicleSports@yahoo.com
 

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