Alabama And Clemson Are Both Double-Digit Favorites In The Playoff Semifinals

On Sunday, the College Football Playoff committee made its decision regarding what four teams would make it to the Playoff on Dec. 29. While there were those that stumped for Georgia to get in despite losing in the SEC Championship to Alabama on Saturday, off the strength of how they looked in the loss, the Dawgs were left on the outside looking in at No. 5.

Big 12 champs Oklahoma found their way into the Playoff instead, moving from fifth to fourth and setting up a date with Alabama in the Orange Bowl. Clemson and Notre Dame remained static at second and third, and will meet in the Cotton Bowl.

Not long after the matchups were set, the good folks at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook announced the opening lines for those games, with both Alabama and Clemson opening as double-digit favorites over the Sooners and Irish respectively.

It’s not a huge surprise that the Tide would be two touchdown favorites over the Sooners, but it is fairly stunning to see a Playoff game with a 79.5 point total. That is, chiefly, due to Oklahoma’s high-powered offense and extremely mediocre defense having to go against the best Alabama offense Nick Saban’s ever had — for those curious, Tua Tagovailoa is expected back in two weeks from a high ankle sprain, giving him ample time to be ready for the Orange Bowl.

The total in Clemson-Notre Dame is decidedly smaller at 55.5, understandable considering both teams are strongest on defense — although both have plenty of offensive firepower. It’s clear oddsmakers have Clemson and Alabama separated from the pack in college football based off these lines, and if they don’t meet again in the title game it will be a shocker.