CFP National Championship – Odds and Ends

So … this college bowl season has sucked, right? Outside of one classic game between TCU and Oregon, the bowls have largely been blowouts, uninteresting matchups, or both. Even the playoff semi-finals were duds, although most of you may not remember, as ESPN put the games head-to-head with the champagne supernova that is New Year’s Eve.

At least we ended up with an intriguing National Championship. Perennial contenders the Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the nation’s last undefeated team and no. 1 seed, the Clemson Tigers.

It’s a star-studded cast on both sides of the ball: on one sideline you have the hilarious antics of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney; on the other is the stoic Nick Saban who is more sought after than ever by NFL teams. Throw in the on-field matchup of Heisman-winner Derrick Henry versus Heisman runner-up Deshaun Watson, plus two of the nation’s best defenses, and this game should make up for all the other duds.

Then again, given the National Championship’s penchant for turning into a blowout, maybe I won’t hold my breath.

Either way, we’ve compiled a list of props that should surely keep your attention until the final whistle, no matter how the game is going. Enjoy!

Odds of winning the game:

• Alabama: 1/3
• Clemson: 5/2

Odds of winning Offensive MVP:

• Derrick Henry: 5/7
• Jake Coker: 9/2
• Deshaun Watson: 5/1
• Wayne Gallman: 9/1
• Field: 14/1

Odds of winning Defensive MVP:

• A’Shawn Robinson: 11/4
• Jonathan Allen: 11/4
• Shaq Lawson: 11/2
• Eddie Jackson: 7/1
• B.J. Goodson: 10/1
• Mackensie Alexander: 12/1
• Field: 9/1

Odds to have the most rushing yards in the game:

• Derrick Henry: 5/16
• Wayne Gallman: 8/3

Odds to combine for the most rushing yards in the game:

• Wayne Gallman & Deshaun Watson: 5/12
• Derrick Henry & Jake Coker: 2/1

Odds to score more touchdowns:

• Derrick Henry: 4/5
• Deshaun Watson: 1/1

Odds to have the most receptions in the game:

• Artavis Scott: 1/1
• Calvin Ridley: 7/2
• Charone Peake: 4/1
• ArDarius Stewart: 7/1

Odds the first TD is scored on:

• Offense: 1/11
• Defense: 16/1
• Special Teams: 24/1

Odds of each team getting shut-out:

• Clemson: 42/1
• Alabama: 56/1

Odds of a 30+-point win:

• Alabama: 14/1
• Clemson: 38/1

Odds the score is 0-0 at halftime: 32/1

Odds Nick Saban is asked about going to the NFL in an interview by ESPN pre-game or post-game: 2/3

Odds that Nick Saban announces he is leaving Alabama for the NFL within seven days after the game: 6/1

Odds that an Alabama player announces his intention to leave for the NFL in the post-game celebration: 3/5

Odds the verb “Clemsoning” gets a new definition after the game: 4/1