Alex Bowl Prediction Results: 26-13
Nate Bowl Prediction Results: 25-14
CFP National Championship
#3 Clemson vs. #1 LSU
ALEX
As I mentioned before, the Tigers will win this game. Alright alright, all jokes aside, this one should be incredible to watch. Both LSU and Clemson have been ultimately unstoppable this year. Starting with the Bayou Bengals, we look no further than the 2019 Heisman winner, Joe Burrow. The Ex-Buckeye QB has demolished opposing defenses and shattered LSU's passing records, throwing for 5,208 yards with a staggering 55 TDs and just 6 picks. The LSU signal caller has had one of the most prolific seasons in college football history, helping lead the Tigers back to the National Championship game since 2011. This Tigers team looks a lot different though, and there are arguments for both teams in this game. Clemson has the best pass defense in the nation, but has yet to see any talent quite like the duo of Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson, both with 18 TDs on the year and around 1,500 yards a piece. Let's not forget LSU's recent successes on defense though, they've dominated their previous three opponents (Texas A&M, Georgia and Oklahoma) on both sides of the ball with a combined score of 150-45. The Bayou Bengals have the nation's best corner in Grant Delpit, and a pass rush that has racked up 35 sacks on the season thus far. They're going to come to play in front of a home town crowd down in New Orleans. Speaking of hometown crowds, many of those fans will also be rooting for Louisiana-native, Travis Etienne. Clemson's leading rusher didn't perform well last time he visited the Superdome (2018 Semi-final loss against Alabama), rushing just 4 times for 22 yards in front of numerous family and friends. After that game, Dabo Swinney told Etienne the CFB National Championship game was going to be in the Superdome in 2 years, and that Etienne would be ready. Few can predict the future quite like that, but I've been watching Clemson all year long, and Dabo definitely has this team ready. Etienne is just one of many "difference makers" I want to point out in this game, but he's my favorite to start with as he leads the nation with a staggering average of 8 yards per carry. The speedy Junior can out run anyone in the open field, but has incredible vision and toughness when running between the tackles, making him very difficult to bring to the ground. If LSU is able to contain Etienne for a period of time though, they now have to worry about Clemson's leading rusher from their Semi-final game against Ohio State, Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence rushed for a career high 107 yards against the Buckeyes, including a fabulous 67 yard TD run just before halftime to give Clemson the momentum. His legs (much like Burrow's) have been a tricky weapon for defenses to contain. Then look at the receivers for Clemson and just try to not get excited as they square up against LSU's corners. This is going to be such a great game with two stellar offensive attacks and record breaking QBs. However, there's one last difference maker I have yet to mention, and he will likely make Burrow truly earn that Heisman award if LSU is going to win. I'm talking about Clemson "Swiss Army Knife" Linebacker, Isiah Simmons. The 6'4, 230 lbs. Junior leads the team in Tackles (97), Sacks (6) and is second with 3 interceptions. Simmons can play anywhere on the field at a very high level, which makes him one of the best defensive players in the nation in my opinion. He has the size of a pass rushing end with the speed of a safety and the awareness of a linebacker. He'll blitz and use his speed and hands to shuck blockers and get to the quarterback, but the next play he'll drop back in coverage against their best receiver and lock him down. If you want to see a player impact a game, you need to watch Isiah Simmons. This is going to be a fantastic National Championship if it lives up to just half of the paper hype, but we all know who's going to win. Clemson defends their title and forces LSU to change both their mascot and stadium name! Clemson 38, LSU 34.
NATE
An excellent end to an excellent season. This is the
national championship game that we deserve. Two Tigers, two excellent
quarterbacks, two sets of great skill players. Fortunately for LSU, one of the players on
their roster is the Heisman winner. Joe Burrow has thrashed ever team he has
gone up against this season, culminating in the semifinal game where he
accounted for close to 500 yards and 8 touchdowns. Clemson might have the #1
pass defense, but they gave up 300 yards to Ohio State through the air. I
expect Burrow and his talented group of skill position players to have an even
better result. A big thing that I think LSU might help them win is the fact
that their defense is peaking at the right time. They held the vaunted Lincoln
Riley offense to under 350 yards, and after letting Ole Miss rush for 400, they
have allowed 300 in the last 4 games combined. Georgia was under 300 yards,
A&M under 200. The LSU defense is locked in, and while I don’t think there
will be any freak injuries like the one that held Clemson WR Tee Higgins out of
the semifinal, I think that regardless, LSU will be able to streak past
Clemson. LSU: 38, Clemson:32
Thank you all for reading our predictions throughout bowl season and following my blog throughout the year! Be sure to watch for more posts during the offseason on different topics and don't forget to listen into our CFB Podcast: The 2nd String. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
