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Clemson’s 2020 CFP Championship Odds and Season Win Total Unchanged after Galloway, Giella Suspensions

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in College Football

Updated Jan 6, 2023 · 3:18 AM PST

Clemson TE Braden Galloway runs downfield
TE Braden Galloway is one of two Clemson Tigers players suspended for the 2019 NCAA season after a positive PED test. Photo by @alexmaminakis (Twitter)
  • Clemson Tigers TE Braden Galloway and OL Zach Giella were suspended for the 2019 NCAA season
  • Both players failed a drug test
  • Despite the suspension, the odds of the Tigers defending their CFP Championship and Clemson’s season win totals remain unchanged

The Clemson Tigers rolled the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide to win the CFP Championship last season. After an accomplishment that significant, evidently the top sportsbooks are nonplussed by the Tigers losing a couple of key players to season-long suspensions.

Both tight end Braden Galloway and offensive line Zach Giella were suspended after failing a PED test prior to last year’s Cotton Bowl. The players tested positive for Ostarine. It’s a performance-enhancing drug used for muscle-building. The drug is currently on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances. The NCAA denied their appeals.

Regardless, the Tigers remain entrenched at +240 to win in the College Football Championship odds. As well, Clemson’s season win total of 11 is also unchanged following this news.

The Title Is Within Reach

Almost every team loses a player or two each season for a variety of reasons. But will these losses impact the Tigers any harder than if one or both of them had tore up a knee during the spring game?

2020 CFP Championship Odds

Team Odds
Alabama +235
Clemson +240
Georgia +750
Ohio State +850
Oklahoma +1400
Michigan +1700
Florida +2500
Texas +2500
LSU +2600
Oregon +3300
Notre Dame +4000
Auburn +4500
Washington +5500
Penn State +6000
Texas A&M +6000
Utah +6000

*Odds taken May 25, 2019

No one is saying that Galloway and Giella didn’t make contributions to Clemson’s success last season. Galloway caught five balls for 52 yards and a touchdown. He played in 12 of 13 games. Giella was on the field for 114 snaps during 11 games.

On the other hand, schools like Clemson are called football factories for a reason. And Clemson didn’t seem to miss them in the title game against Alabama.

Clemson Will Continue To Win

Let’s do a Clemson roster roll call. Heisman co-favorite Trevor Lawrence still at quarterback? Check. Travis Etienne still in the backfield? Roger. Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross still at receiver? Verified.

Everyone needs to take a breath. The Tigers could average 50 points per game this season.

2020 NCAA Football Win Totals

Team Over Odds Under Odds Win Total
Alabama -110 -110 11
Clemson -140 +120 11
Georgia -200 +170 10.5
Oklahoma -160 +140 10.5
Boise State -125 +105 10
Ohio State +120 -140 10
UCF -110 -110 10
Washington +140 -160 10
Michigan -170 +150 9.5
Notre Dame +110 -130 9.5
Texas -130 +110 9.5

 

Rob Gronkowski was far and away the greatest tight end in the game. The New England Patriots won Super Bowl 51 even though Gronk was on IRL for eight games, including the entire postseason.

Junior J.C. Chalk slides into Galloway’s post. Chalk caught two passes for 21 yards last season and played 105 snaps. He even gives college football’s national championship rivalry a better storyline. Chalk’s grandpappy is former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings.

If you were backing the Tigers to win again this year, don’t sweat it. Clemson is going to be just fine.

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