In the College Football Playoff semifinal, LSU scored 49 points in the first half against Oklahoma, cruised to a 63-28 snoozer and looked unstoppable.
The Tigers might be.
LSU is averaging nearly 49 points per game, quarterback Joe Burrow has thrown for 5,208 yards with 55 touchdowns and six interceptions this season alone, entering him into the conversation as the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in April.
The running game is exceptional, receivers Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase each have more than 1,400 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns each and Terrace Marshall Jr., has 12 TDs as well. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has 1,333 rushing yards and 16 scores along with 50 catches.
The LSU offensive numbers are exceptional.
But Clemson will be one of the best teams LSU has faced all season across the board. Those Tigers have some outstanding offensive firepower as well and the defense has locked opponents up all season, allowing just 11.5 points per outing.
Clemson has allowed just nine rushing and nine passing touchdowns all season long.
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And then there’s the Tigers' offense, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who might be the best player in college football if it’s not Burrow or Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, running back Travis Etienne and a stellar receiving corps. Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross have combined for 21 receiving touchdowns.
Clemson has not lost in its last 29 games and that means Lawrence has never lost a college football game. He’s an absolute winner who led a second-half comeback to beat Ohio State in the playoff semifinal.
LSU looks unstoppable. But Clemson doesn’t lose.
FARRELL'S TAKE
We ask Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell how he sees the national championship playing out and we ask him to make a prediction on the final score of Monday night’s stellar matchup.
“Here’s how it’s going to play out. Both teams will have success running the ball and the passing games will be very effective, so I expect a high scoring game and a quick start for both teams offensively. Then the defenses will settle in a bit, there will be a couple of key turnovers and it will come down to one last drive for Lawrence. As expected, Lawrence will drive his team down the field for the winning touchdown and Clemson will pull the upset and win 35-34 in one of the best title games in recent memory.”
