Alabama Clemson National Predictions: Who is the REAL Underdog?

Much has been made about the bookmakers of Las Vegas setting fourth-seed Alabama as a favorite over top-seeded Clemson in the CFB Semifinal. However, these people have a different agenda than media prognosticators when it comes to predicting outcomes of sporting events. Their job is to make people lay down hard earned cash money with their casinos. In their hearts, they may think Team A will win but they set their betting lines at a level that they believe will best attract the most money.

That said, the Crimson Tide opened as a -1½ point favorite and have risen to as much as -3½, currently settling at -3.

But what do they many many many flapping lips across the nation think of the Sugar Bowl?

ESPN:

On today’s GameDay, Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit picked Clemson. Lee Corso took Alabama.

HATERS INC: Booger McFarland, Joey Galloway, Jesse Palmer all pick Clemson.

Booger McFarland:
"I just think Clemson has been the better team all season long. They've been healthy. (Quarterback) Kelly Bryant has been outstanding. The defensive line has four first-round picks maybe and I think that's going to be the difference in the game."

Joey Galloway
“...I’m going to go with Clemson winning this game because Kelly Bryant gets it done. Because Dabo Swinney has had a couple times dealing with this Nick Saban defense.”

Jesse Palmer
“...He’ll have opportunities to go deep. Clemson with Ray Ray McCloud and Deon Cain have to hit those shots. Clemson runs as many go (routes) as any team in the country and I think Kelly Bryant makes throws tonight. Because of (Clemson’s) d-line, I’m taking Clemson.”

ESPN’s First Take Host: “Who do you have winning it all?”
David Pollack: “It ain't Alabama.”

Andrea Adelson
Clemson 23 Alabama 21

Adam Rittenberg
Clemson 27, Alabama 24

Heather Dinich
Nobody cares.

SEC NETWORK:

Tim Tebow, Marcus Spears, Greg McElroy, Paul Finebaum:

Chris Doering and Matt Stinchcomb both picked Alabama.

Maybe a little bias?

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:

Andy Staples, Bruce Feldman, Joan Niesen, Chris Johnson, Eric Single, Molly Geary and Scooby Axson.

USA TODAY:

CBSSports.com:

Against the spread and straight up.

OTHERS

Rick Bonnell, Charlotte (NC) Observer
Clemson 24, Alabama 20

Matt Connolly, The State (Columbia, SC)
Clemson 21, Alabama 17

Jason Kirk, SBNation
Clemson 21, Alabama 20

Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report
Clemson 24, Alabama 21

Creg Stephenson, AL.com, South Alabama beat writer, 105.5 WNSP
Clemson 24, Alabama 17

Kevin Scarbinksy, AL.com, professional troll
Clemson 31, Alabama 24

Joseph Goodman, AL.com
Clemson 24, Alabama 21

Mark Heim, AL.com, 105.5 WNSP
Clemson 27, Alabama 24

Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News
Clemson 31, Alabama 24.

Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News
Clemson 21, Alabama 17

Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports
Clemson 27, Alabama 24

Zach Braziller, NY Post
Clemson 28, Alabama 17

Paul Newberry, AP Sports
Alabama 24, Clemson 14

Pete Fiutak, collegefootballnews.com
Clemson 24, Alabama 17

Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Clemson over Alabama (no score given)

Zach Abolverdi, SEC Country (Florida)
Clemson 27 Alabama 21

Andrew Astleford, SEC Country
Clemson 28 Alabama 17

Seth Emerson, SEC Country (UGA)
Clemson 30 Alabama 21

Chris Kirschner, SEC Country (Alabama recruiting)
Clemson 21 Alabama 17

Blake Morgan, SEC Country (Tennessee)
Clemson 28 Alabama 20

Connor Riley, SEC Country (UGA)
Clemson 31 Alabama 0 (this is not a typo)

Sam Spiegelman, SEC Country (LSU)
Clemson 24 Alabama 23

Nick Suss, SEC Country (LSU)
Clemson 35 Alabama 24

Chip Towers, SEC Country (UGA)
Alabama 28 Clemson 27

Kyle Tucker, SEC Country (Kentucky)
Alabama 31 Clemson 24

Benjamin Wolk, SEC Country (Auburn)
Clemson 24 Alabama 16

Ryan Young, SEC Country (Florida)
Alabama 28 Clemson 21

Cody Stavenhagen, Oklahoma beat writer
Alabama 31, Clemson 24

Eric Bailey, Oklahoma beat writer
Clemson 38, Alabama 21

Guerin Emig, Tulsa World columnist
Alabama 29, Clemson 23

Bill Haisten, Tulsa World columnist
Clemson 27, Alabama 17

Mark Cooper, Oklahoma State beat writer
Alabama 27, Clemson 24

Kendrick Marshall, Oklahoma State beat writer
Clemson 42, Alabama 31

Kelly Hines, Tulsa U. beat writer
Clemson 27, Alabama 24

Michael Peters, Tulsa World sports editor
Clemson 30, Alabama 20

BAMA BEAT WRITERS:

About the only media picking Alabama are the beat writers.

Matt Zenitz, AL.com, Bama beat writer
Alabama 31, Clemson 24

Michael Casagrande, AL.com, Bama beat writer
Alabama 24 Clemson 21.

Rainer Sabin, AL.com, Bama beat writer
Alabama 24, Clemson 23

John Talty, AL.com, Bama beat writer
Clemson 31, Alabama 24

Kirk McNair, BamaOnLine/247sports
Alabama 28, Clemson 24.

Marq Burnett, SEC Country (Alabama)
Alabama 24 Clemson 20

Christopher Walsh SEC Country (Alabama)
Alabama 24 Clemson 21

EXTRA POINT

Bama wins the mascot match-up: