Last year, I wrote that the world needs more Alabama-Clemson, and I’ll be damned if the football gods didn’t answer mine, and all of our, prayers. The two teams will compete in the postseason for the third straight year. This time, it’s a semi-final contest instead of the National Championship. But, it’s exciting all the same. They’ll meet in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st, 2018 at 7:45EST. Since the books were opened, Las Vegas is starting to see a lot of money coming in on the Tide.
Courtesy of Saturday Down South:
How much of a factor is that “time to prepare” thing for Nick Saban?
Well, apparently some “respected players” in Vegas are putting up big-time money on Alabama against Clemson. The Crimson Tide is a consensus 2.5-point favorite over the Tigers, according to Vegas Insider.
Whether those gamblers are taking Alabama to cover, or just grabbing the Tide on the money line — regardless — eight times as much money has been bet on Alabama as has been bet on Clemson.
Okay, three things.
1) Alabama doesn’t feel like a championship team. Plain and simple. I wrote this piece over a month ago, and I still think it rings true to an extent. While I wasn’t overly impressed with Clemson this season (actually think you could make a valid argument for Oklahoma being #1, and I think Georgia actually should be #1), I think they have more quality wins against quality opponents than Alabama. But, this is more about the simple eye test. This Alabama team just doesn’t look as dominant as years past.
2) The Sugar Bowl hasn’t been kind to Alabama as of late. They lost in the first year of the College Football Playoff to Ohio State in a deflating manner, and the year prior, Oklahoma smoked ’em. Rewind all the way to 2009, and the Tide lost to Utah in New Orleans as well. Whether you believe in karma and curses and all that or not, you can’t help but notice the Tide has had some bad luck in that building. It freaks me out, and if I’m putting my money on the line, I’m staying away from games that freak me out.
3) This is how Vegas makes money. They know the larger betting public is going to see 2.5 points and hear ‘time to prepare’ and empty those wallets. It’s simple, and in many other cases, would be easy money. But, there’s more to the matchup this year.
My advice would be to sit back and enjoy this one. Hold on to your money or look at the over/under totals.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Buy our shirt. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube. Shop our store on Redbubble.
