Gene Clemons breaks down the spread and props for Notre Dame-Ohio State for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Ladies and Gentlemen we made it. We are here, but also unfortunately we are here. The College Football Playoff Championship game is upon us and it is your final opportunity to slide a few greenbacks in your pocket thanks to this wonderful college game.
What started with 12 is now down to two as Notre Dame fought its way to the championship game upsetting Penn State, and Ohio State continued to buck its way to the chip by defeating Texas. Although there is only one game left, there are still a variety of ways to play this game if you are looking to maximize your dollar. So for one last time before the only College Football we will see until August is courtesy of our favorite gaming system, let’s go!
Check Out the Spread!
Ohio State -8.5 (-108 on Draftkings) vs Notre Dame
Penn State gave Ohio State the perfect game plan to beat Notre Dame. The Nittany Lions just screwed up the execution. Ohio State is a more explosive version of Penn State. The Buckeyes also have a couple of running backs in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins who can really do damage against a Fighting Irish defense that has shown they can get worn down. Penn State ran the ball 42 times for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns. There’s no reason Ohio State could not come out and implement the same strategy.
In the end it was quarterback play that was the Nittany Lions’ undoing. This will not be the case for the Buckeyes as Will Howard has been playing some of the best football of his career. He has been throwing the ball all over the field. So if the Fighting Irish decide they want to limit the running game by committing bodies to the front line it will come at a price too high to pay. If they try to cover these OSU receivers man to man they will get blown out. If they get down by a couple scores early, they may not be equipped to come back. The Buckeyes will be able to open up the margin of victory from there.
Line Steppers!
Ohio State vs Notre Dame Over 46.5 (-108 on Draftkings)
The game comes down to responses. The Buckeyes are going to score. Nobody has been able to stop them yet. There will be no elements to worry about in Mercedes Benz Stadium and the mad scientist Chip Kelly will be sitting up in the coaches book like Coriolanus Snow overlooking the arena for another Hunger Games. There’s something diabolical awaiting the Fighting Irish. The question becomes how do they respond? When they get punched in the mouth and scored on, do they punch back and put a drive together that results in points? If so the morale will stay high and they might have a chance.
The more likely scenario is that Notre Dame is overwhelmed by the offensive onslaught of the Buckeyes. Ohio State will put the first score on the board then ND will go three and out handing the ball back to the Buckeyes and watching them march down the field again. By the time ND looks up and realizes what's happened, it could be down 21 points or more. The rest of the game will then become a back-and-forth affair that pushes this number clear past the total.
Propaloosa!
Will Howard QB, Ohio State Under 10.5 Rushing Yards (-114 on FanDuel)
Will Howard spent years at Kansas State running around and since joining the Buckeye he has seemed to retire his running legs and for good reason. He has two beasts that he can hand it off to and allow them to go get it. He has been dedicated to making himself the best passer he can be and the results have been great, there’s no real reason to change things up now. He has only topped that number once in their final six games including the playoff. When you consider that sacks count against a quarterback's rushing total, it's a gamble worth taking.
Carnell Tate WR, Ohio State Over 3.5 Receptions (+126 on FanDuel)
We know how explosive Jeremiah Smith is and all of the attention defenses pay him. We know that Emeka Egbuka has the ability to navigate traffic and find spots in the defense to catch passes. That's if the defense can keep the two-headed monster at bay. While they stay focused on stopping those guys, Carmel Tate will be the beneficiary of the soft coverage. At 3.5 receptions Tate just needs a catch per quarter. He has gone over this number in eight of his games this season.
TreVeyon Henderson RB, Ohio State Over 57.5 Rushing Yards (-114 on FanDuel)
Henderson and his running mate Judkins are set up for what should be a great day on the ground after watching Penn State take the smaller success Indiana and Georgia had running the ball. There's a great chance that both backs can have a great day but Henderson has a reliable record of going over this total. In fact he eclipsed the total 11 times this season. He has the toughness to grind his way to a successful day. He also has that explosive element. He can score from anywhere on the field.
Riley Leonard QB, Notre Dame Anytime TD (+145 FanDuel)
The Fighting Irish should be able to put the ball in the end zone and if they do there's a better than likely chance that it will be Leonard running one in. Quarterbacks with the ability to run have been able to move the ball well against Ohio State, and Leonard is a legitimate runner and tough as they come. Expect him to get his number called or call his own number once they are in the red zone against a very aggressive Buckeyes defense. He has scored a rushing touchdown in 11 games this season, including one in the semifinals against Penn State.
