The playoffs start NOW. Clemson ran the table with a prolific offense and just enough defense. Oklahoma had a serious lapse (thanks) vs. Texas but after that they regrouped to win seven in a row. Readers, do you remember that these teams actually played each other in a bowl game LAST YEAR? Underdog Clemson destroyed the Sooners 40-6! This one is for higher stakes.
Clemson’s story: QB Watson hit 69.5% with a 30-11 ratio. While I worry about the 11 interceptions there is no question Watson makes things happen. Oklahoma intercepted 19 passes. Watson has run ability, as evidenced by his 887 yards and 11 rushing TD’s. RB Gallman seems to get stronger the more carries he gets. He ran 243 times in 12 games for a 5.5 per carry average. Watson has no true go-to WR, spreading the ball around. Many good to great players left to go to the NFL after last year. The new guys responded with a solid 3.9 run defense and an elite 46% pass defense. Notre Dame ran 33-116-3.5. Prolific run team Georgia Tech was held to 72 yards! The run defense did break down late, as in games 9-13 they allowed a too high 166-848-5.1 per carry. That needs to be further investigated. At times the point defense was torched. NC State scored 41. Syracuse scored 27. North Carolina wasn’t stopped in the ACC title game (37). All three games were on or after 10/31. Clemson’s third down conversion ratio was excellent at 48-25. The sack ratio was 38-14.
Oklahoma’s story: Baker Mayfield was a great addition. He hit 68.6% with a 38-6 ratio. RB’s Perrine and Mixon both averaged over six yards per carry, combining for 22 rushing TD’s. Oklahoma actually rushed lower than that for the year but they have the ability to move the chains. WR Sheppard caught 79 passes with 11 TD’s. Two other players caught 42 each. The run defense (3.7) was expected. Tennessee was held to 45-131. Most teams were held below their seasonal averages. Texas broke through (58-322). The pass defense was just fine at 52.6%. There were no surprises in their games via the pass. Like with Clemson, the Sooner point defense had its ups and downs. Only four times did they allow under 23 points. Their third down conversion ratio was average. Oklahoma had 38 defensive sacks but one concern for this game is that they allowed 36 sacks to opposing defenses. Clemson might get to QB Mayfield.
Special Teams: Both teams are solid at kicker. Clemson’s kicker may have longer range but he also missed five PAT’s! On paper, Clemson won’t get anything at all on punt returns. Clemson’s kick return defense is not that good. Oklahoma had 50 touchbacks in 98 kicks.
The situations: On paper, none. The stakes are high, so it’s up for conjecture as to just how much Oklahoma can “benefit” from the motivation to avenge their bad bowl loss of a year ago.
Game keys: Can Clemson get to Baker Mayfield? Will Watson throw interceptions vs. the opportunistic Sooner secondary? Ultimately, the team that runs the best will likely win, as that will have an enormous effect on these two game keys!
Courtesy of WagerTalk News
Clemson’s story: QB Watson hit 69.5% with a 30-11 ratio. While I worry about the 11 interceptions there is no question Watson makes things happen. Oklahoma intercepted 19 passes. Watson has run ability, as evidenced by his 887 yards and 11 rushing TD’s. RB Gallman seems to get stronger the more carries he gets. He ran 243 times in 12 games for a 5.5 per carry average. Watson has no true go-to WR, spreading the ball around. Many good to great players left to go to the NFL after last year. The new guys responded with a solid 3.9 run defense and an elite 46% pass defense. Notre Dame ran 33-116-3.5. Prolific run team Georgia Tech was held to 72 yards! The run defense did break down late, as in games 9-13 they allowed a too high 166-848-5.1 per carry. That needs to be further investigated. At times the point defense was torched. NC State scored 41. Syracuse scored 27. North Carolina wasn’t stopped in the ACC title game (37). All three games were on or after 10/31. Clemson’s third down conversion ratio was excellent at 48-25. The sack ratio was 38-14.
Oklahoma’s story: Baker Mayfield was a great addition. He hit 68.6% with a 38-6 ratio. RB’s Perrine and Mixon both averaged over six yards per carry, combining for 22 rushing TD’s. Oklahoma actually rushed lower than that for the year but they have the ability to move the chains. WR Sheppard caught 79 passes with 11 TD’s. Two other players caught 42 each. The run defense (3.7) was expected. Tennessee was held to 45-131. Most teams were held below their seasonal averages. Texas broke through (58-322). The pass defense was just fine at 52.6%. There were no surprises in their games via the pass. Like with Clemson, the Sooner point defense had its ups and downs. Only four times did they allow under 23 points. Their third down conversion ratio was average. Oklahoma had 38 defensive sacks but one concern for this game is that they allowed 36 sacks to opposing defenses. Clemson might get to QB Mayfield.
Special Teams: Both teams are solid at kicker. Clemson’s kicker may have longer range but he also missed five PAT’s! On paper, Clemson won’t get anything at all on punt returns. Clemson’s kick return defense is not that good. Oklahoma had 50 touchbacks in 98 kicks.
The situations: On paper, none. The stakes are high, so it’s up for conjecture as to just how much Oklahoma can “benefit” from the motivation to avenge their bad bowl loss of a year ago.
Game keys: Can Clemson get to Baker Mayfield? Will Watson throw interceptions vs. the opportunistic Sooner secondary? Ultimately, the team that runs the best will likely win, as that will have an enormous effect on these two game keys!
Courtesy of WagerTalk News
