Written by Rohit Ghosh
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College Football Playoffs: Part 1
Oklahoma Sooners vs Clemson Tigers
The highly anticipated College Football Playoff kicks off in the national semifinal matchup between No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1) and No. 1 Clemson (13-0). The Sooners overcame an early loss against Texas in October to reach this point of the season. They enter this matchup - having won their last seven games - as 3.5-point favorites, with the total set at 63.5.
AccuScore's computer simulates games 10,000 times to predict their outcome.
Players to Watch
Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield is projected to finish with 239 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and a passer rating of 139.9. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is projected to finish with 301 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and a passer rating of 140.6. Watson averages 1.2 INTs per sim; Mayfield averages 0.8.
Samaje Perine is expected to lead the way on the ground for the Sooners. Perine is projected to finish with 104 rushing yards on 17 carries. He averages 1.2 TDs per sim. RB Wayne Gallman is projected to finish with 112 yards on 23 carries for Clemson. He averages 0.7 TDs per sim.
WR Sterling Shepard averages 0.7 TDs per sim for Oklahoma. He's projected to finish with 73 yards on 5 receptions. Artavis Scott - who averages 0.3 TDs per sim - is projected to finish Thursday's matchup with 62 yards on 6 receptions.
Prediction
Oklahoma win 63.0% of simulations and should advance to the national title game.
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