re: CBS experts weigh in.

They're the best team. LSU have to beat the best to be the best. Tell dabo that underdog ish ain't working this time.

Good.

I am telling you right now, LSU’s offense is very elite compared to OSU Buckeyes. Fields was hurt couldn’t run and can’t throw the out accurately....Burrow puts it where only his guy can catch it
Dobbins gets hurt and there went the offense
Burrow > Fields
Chase> Olave
Jefferson> Hill
Marshall > Victor
Moss > Ruckert
CHE > Dobbins in passing game and over all
Buckeyes score 23 and left 26 on the field

Defensively the Buckeyes had not played a team with talent other than lowly Penn State 28-17
Not that far off from Clemson

Stingley and Fulton > Okuduh and Arnette
Delphit and Stevens > Fuller and Wade (Wade was on slot like Vincent)

I am telling you the Buckeyes haven’t faced speed or athleticism other than a weak Penn St. Clemson came out of the game feeling good, they were beat up physically, but better than OSU

LSU is Elite, Buckeyes are Good... Clemson a little better than Buckeyes
LSU plays their game, 48-24 LSU over Clemson

All of these talking heads picking Clemson and propping up their win over Ohio State is just more motivation for Burrow. He feeds off of that shite, and I have no doubt he’s heard a good bit of what they’re saying, that Clemson’s gonna beat us by double digits, Lawrence is the better QB, Venables gonna shut our offense down. He’s gonna absolutely wreck their arse and leave no doubt.

It’s not going to be a cakewalk of a game

......so that means LSU only wins by 14 instead of the usual 35

How will Dabo spin all the experts picking Clemson as getting no respect?

Sports reporters don't do their own research and they have a career to maintain. So, with that being said, most of them tend to not do any of their own research so they piggy back off of other reputable reporters and they tend to play the "safe game" and not do much of anything without getting in the boat with others. Thinks about it, how many sports analysts actually do real research before they pick games? Not many.

Clemson fan here. (I come in peace)

Don't overestimate Offensive and Defensive stats for Clemson this year. Dabo plays for the end of the year (he learned from the first trip to the Championship and has changed his management of the season since), so Etienne and Lawrence were out of most games after the first drive of the second half. By the third and 4th quarter Clemson was playing 3rd 4th, and 5th string players on both offense and defense. If you look at the box scores you will notice that offensive and defensive production dropped dramatically in the second half. Dabo puts a heavy focus on getting the backups real game experience (not just mop up time) so that they are ready to step in when needed and it reduces the wear and tear on the starters over the season. This makes a lot of the scores and stats closer than they appear... especially in the first part of the season where players can play 3 games and then redshirt.

This ought to be an epic game. I have no idea what to expect. The LSU offense is the real deal, and the defense has really stepped up the last few games. If Clemson can keep LSU under 35 then they have a chance to win. It's a tall order, but it has been done a couple of times this year. Clemson also has a tendency to surprise teams with how good they really are. Who knows what will happen when teams this good play each other. It will come down to one or two momentum plays.

If you look at last year's Alabama game and this year's OSU you will see that our defense gives up some yards against good teams but they are extremely stout in the redzone.

I think this will be the key to the game. Can Clemson hold LSU to field goals in the redzone, and how does Clemson match up against the LSU defense that looks to have come on strong lately. I really hope that is doesn't come down to field goals because LSU had a decided advantage in that category.

I'm expecting a close game into the 3rd quarter and then one of the teams will pull ahead for good.

Best of luck.

Go Tigers!