I‘ve had my doubts all season that Alabama was the clear-cut No. 1 team over Clemson, and this is the Tigers’ chance to prove it. Heck, I thought the Tide should have dropped in the rankings after being a 42-point, first-half favorite versus The Citadel and playing to a 10-10 halftime tie before pulling away in the second half.

Granted, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa is a stud, but Clemson’s defense will be the toughest he’s faced, and the Tigers should be able to get enough stops or force turnovers to pull the upset (though, again, I don’t see it as much of an upset).

But I really believe this game was won when Clemson coach Dabo Swinney chose freshman QB Trevor Lawrence over Kelly Bryant earlier this season as his best chance to match up with Alabama. A lot of experts have been saying all year that this ’Bama defense isn’t as good as recent years’, and Clemson’s offense — which actually has more balance with RB Travis Etienne (1,573 yards, 22 TDs) — should expose it in the title game for all to see.

The play: Clemson +5 (also consider Clemson +3 Even in first half and +180 on money line).