BetAnySports Game Line: Ohio State -3

BetAnySports Total Line: 59.5

In one of the most anticipated matchups this bowl season, the No.3 Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the No. 2 Clemson Tigers on New Year’s Eve in the Fiesta Bowl. Kickoff for this Big Ten/ACC clash at University of Phoenix Stadium is set for 7 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Ohio State vs. Clemson Game Preview

The Buckeyes’ straight-up 11-1 run through the regular season was good enough to earn one of four sports in this season’s College Football Playoff, but there were still quite a few close calls along the way in an even 6-6 record against the spread. Things remained tight to the bitter end with victories over both Michigan State and Michigan by a combined four points. The total went OVER BetAnySports’ closing line in three of their last four games.

Ohio State was able to move the ball down the field through the air behind quarterback JT Barrett and Mike Weber was the driving force in the ground game. Barrett threw for 2,428 yards and 24 touchdowns while Weber added 1,072 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. The Buckeyes’ defense was one of the best in the nation in points allowed (14.2).

Clemson’s return trip to the CFP semifinals also included some nail-biting finishes as part of a 12-1 SU run to the ACC title. The Tigers were 6-7 ATS this year after failing to cover in five of their last seven games. The total went OVER BetAnySports’ 59-point closing line in their 42-35 victory against Virginia Tech as 10.5-point favorites in the conference championship and it has now gone OVER in their last four games.

Deshaun Watson was the key to Clemson’s success on offense this season. The junior quarterback was the runner-up in this year’s Heisman Trophy voting after finishing third on the ballot last year. He comes into this game with 3,914 yards and 37 scoring strikes through the air and 529 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. The Tigers averaged 40.2 points a game and they were ranked 12th in the nation in points allowed (18.4).

Ohio State vs. Clemson Free Game Pick

This game is too close to call in my book SU between two evenly matched teams. That is why I will take Clemson and the three points with BetAnySports as my “best bet” pick.