While it is unfortunate to see this season of college football come to a close, this National Championship game is one of the more intriguing matchups I can remember. In this article, I will go over each semifinal matchup and go over the keys to the game for each team.

Betting Line: LSU -5

Over/Under: 67

In one of the most exciting games this season, Clemson came out on top in their semifinal matchup with Ohio State. Their game against Ohio State was clearly the toughest game they had all season, and they definitely proved their worth. Clemson’s pass defense really shined in the game as they really held Justin Fields and Ohio State’s passing game in check. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they will be facing the best passing attack in the country. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is protected pretty well by LSU’s offensive line and even when he has faced a strong pass rush, he has been able to weather the storm. Clemson should try to put pressure on Burrow, but I think maintaining tight coverage is more important. LSU has an elite group of receivers, but cornerbacks AJ Terrell and Derion Kendrick have really emerged this season. I think one way Burrow might could be thrown off his game is if Clemson switched up their coverages often, but I think just preventing LSU receivers from creating too much separation will be the most important aspect of the pass defense. Terrell and Kendrick will need to prevent Biletnikoff Award winner Ja’Marr Chase from breaking loose and the same thing goes for Justin Jefferson who had a monster performance in LSU’s win over Oklahoma. Safeties Tanner Muse and Nolan Turner did quite well in pass coverage against Ohio State and will be called upon often again in this game. Defensive end Xavier Thomas will need to be able to win matchups on the line more often than not. Clemson will likely be outing a lot of their focus into pass coverage and if Thomas can anchor down his spot, it will be easier to focus on pass coverage. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons made plays all over the field against Ohio State, and he will need to do more of the same in this game. I think he will likely be used in pass coverage more often in this game, but he needs to be ready to play a variety of roles like he has all season. The same goes for fellow defensive end Justin Foster and defensive tackles Tyler Davis and Nyles Pinckney. Against the run, the Tigers need to win in the trenches against an LSU offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award, being named as the nation’s top offensive line unit (which I will say is a bit fishy since they are probably the third best offensive line in the SEC). LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so I think his mobility will be reduced. On offense, Clemson should work to establish the run game, which they failed to really do against Ohio State. Travis Etienne has over 1,500 rushing yards this season on eight yards per carry, but he had just 35 on 10 carries against Ohio State (he was very effective as a receiver so it is not as though he had a terrible game). If Etienne can get going early, it can give Trevor Lawrence a better chance to tear LSU apart through the air. Lawrence also added a wrinkle to Clemson’s offense against Ohio State as he ran for over 100 yards. While a big portion of that included a 67 yard touchdown, it looks like Lawrence will be given more rushing opportunities in big games like this and I think he could catch LSU napping at some point during this game and break off a big play with his legs. Through the air, Clemson will be going against an extremely talented LSU secondary. Leading receiver Tee Higgins suffered an apparent head injury against Ohio State, but he will play against LSU. Higgins and Justyn Ross make up one of the best receiver duos in the country, and need to be effective against a duo of LSU cornerbacks that includes a true freshman who was a first team All-American in Derek Stingley Jr. and a likely first round draft pick in Kristian Fulton. I think Amari Rodgers will be another key player at receiver as he is a strong deep threat compared to Ross and Higgins who are possession receivers. On the offensive line, tackles Jackson Carman and Tremayne Anchrum need to watch for LSU outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson who is a very good pass rusher and prevent him from getting to Lawrence.

LSU put on an offensive clinic in the Peach Bowl as they beat Oklahoma 63-28 and were ahead 49-14 at halftime (if you are using this game as reasoning for saying Oklahoma should not have been in the playoff, you are a moron who clearly does not understand the difference between best team and most deserving team). Like in many of their games this season, LSU was led by a dazzling performance from quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow had an astounding stat line on the day, completing 29/39 passes for 493 yards and seven touchdowns. On the season, Burrow has thrown for 5,208 yards and 55 touchdowns while completing 77.6% of his passes. Clemson’s defense will pose a definite challenge for Burrow as they are the top scoring defense in the country. Burrow has been able to rise to the occasion numerous times before now, but he will need to do it again in this game. Being accurate and eliminating turnovers will be the quickest way to success for Burrow and LSU’s offense. While Ja’Marr Chase took home the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, Justin Jefferson was actually the star of the show in the game against Oklahoma. In that game, Jefferson, the brother of Jordan Jefferson, the starting quarterback for LSU the last time they were in the National Championship, hauled in 14 catches for 227 yards and four touchdowns. Chase, Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall will need to do their part and create separation against a Clemson secondary that really gave Ohio State problems. Still, I trust passing game coordinator Joe Brady to figure something out. Another pass catcher that I think can play an important role will be tight end Thaddeus Moss. Moss has been another solid source of yardage for the Tigers and has made some impressive plays that are reminiscent of his father, NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss. On the ground, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire should be ready to play after being limited in action against Oklahoma. Edwards-Helaire has a team leading 1,304 yards on the ground and needs to be able to provide some relief from the passing game. If injuries are still hampering him, Chris Curry and Tyrion Davis-Prince need to be ready as well. The offensive line will have a tough task in front of them as Clemson’s defensive front has quite a bit of talent. Tackles Saahdiq Charles and Austin Deculus have been a bit of a weak point up front and need to prevent Clemson from getting pressure around the edge. Center Lloyd Cushenberry needs to continue to be a strong leader and anchor for this unit. On defense, the Tigers need their secondary to step up. This secondary is probably the most talented one in the country, but they have often not played up to that standard. Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kristian Fulton need to handle their business against Clemson’s strong receiver duo of Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins. Ross and Higgins are bigger possession receivers so playing tight and breaking on the ball well will be very important for Stingley and Fulton. Safety Grant Delpit was thought of by many (including me) to be the best defensive player in the country after having a great 2018 season, but has underperformed a bit this season. Delpit will need to avoid missing tackles like he has at times and play to the level he is capable of in order for LSU to really be effective against the pass. The Tigers should be a bit better in the pass rush as outside linebacker Michael Divinity will return to action after missing the last six games. Divinity’s return will add another strong playmaker that can get into the backfield often. Fellow outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson will still be the go to guy in the pass rush as he leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Damone Clark and defensive end Rashard Lawrence will also be looked to often to create chaos in the backfield and force Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence to think quickly. Against the run, the Tigers need to prevent Clemson from gashing them with their stable of solid backs led by an elite runner in Travis Etienne. Inside linebackers Patrick Queen and Jacob Phillips need to be able to step up and make plays and defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin needs to do well at plugging up the middle. LSU has at times struggled to defend running quarterbacks and as evidenced in Clemson’s win over Ohio State, Trevor Lawrence can make plays with his legs if given the opportunity. LSU needs to be sure that does not happen and make sure that Clemson does not have that added gear to their run game.

Prediction:

I have made the mistake of counting out Dabo Swinney before and I will not make that mistake again. I think Clemson does just enough to slow down LSU’s passing attack and pulls ahead late to win 38-35 in a thriller.

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