Take Crimson Tide to roll past Clemson for national title

Like most Super Bowls, people are betting the favorite to cover the point spread and the underdog on the money line in today's college football national championship game between Alabama and Clemson.

The Crimson Tide, gunning for their fourth national title in seven years, are favored between 6½ and 7 points at Las Vegas sports books and the money line is minus-270, plus-230.

"We're getting a lot of Clemson money-line bets. But I had a feeling we would see more Alabama money show up, and that's kind of what happened," MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood said. "When it's all said and done, we'll probably be pulling for Alabama to win but not cover."

The Gold Sheet handicapper Bruce Marshall leans to the Tide (13-1, 8-6 against the spread) winning and covering against the Tigers (14-0, 7-7 ATS).

"Alabama has a lot of quality wins by margins over this point spread," said Marshall (goldsheet.com). "As good as I think Clemson is, I don't think they have that record if they play Alabama's schedule in the SEC. I don't normally like to make the conference argument, but this bowl season has opened my eyes to the class edge the SEC has."

The Tide rolled to a 38-0 win over Michigan State in the College Football Playoff semifinals and Marshall expects Alabama's top-ranked defense (13.4 points per game, 256.8 yards per game) to again carry the day against the Tigers and dual-threat quarterback Deshaun Watson (31 pass TDs, 12 rush TDs).

"Alabama seems to be able to cope with mobile quarterbacks and the hurry-up (offense) better than it used to. The uptempo hasn't been bothering them," Marshall said. "A lot of Watson's running comes on designed plays and I'm not sure that works against the Alabama defense, which is tops in the nation against the run.

"If they can't run, Clemson's in a lot of trouble here. There's a lot of ballhawks in Alabama's secondary."

Clemson held Oklahoma scoreless in the second half of its 37-17 CFP semifinal win but Marshall expects Alabama to break through either on the ground behind Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry (2.061 yards rushing, 25 TDs) or through the air behind quarterback Jake Coker, who was 25 of 30 for 286 yards and two TDs in the rout of the Spartans.

"Clemson's defense is formidable but so was Michigan State's," Marshall said. "It's pick your poison now because Coker can go downfield and make plays. He stepped up huge against Michigan State. If he is clicking with his receivers, they can't stack the box against Henry."

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban led LSU to a national championship in 2003 before guiding Alabama to national titles in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

"We'll definitely be rooting for Clemson," Sunset Station sports book director Chuck Esposito said. "It was impressive what the Clemson defense did by holding Oklahoma to 17 points. The Tigers have a 17-game winning streak, and I think they can win this one, too."

The total is 50½. The under is 8-3 in Alabama's last 11 games while the over is 7-3 in Clemson's last 10.