Clemson vs. Alabama odds, props, predictions: Can the Tigers keep up against Top-25 Crimson Tide?

The undefeated Clemson Tigers will get their first real test of the season on Tuesday night against 5-1 Alabama. The Crimson Tide's only loss came against Ohio State, and Bama has a win over Oregon and covered the spread in each of their first four contests. Clemson is 5-0 but has only covered twice this season. 

The Crimson Tide boast a high-powered offense, 81 points per game this season. In contrast, Clemson only averages 79.6 points but is holding their opponents to 66.8 points on average. The winner of this matchup will likely be the team that can dictate their style. 

If Clemson plays strong defense, Alabama is susceptible to forcing poor shots and trying to force things. If the Crimson Tide gets hot, though, it is hard to imagine the Tigers keeping up scoring-wise, as they average fewer points than Alabama's season low for points. 

The ACC/SEC Challenge should be close, and the outcome of this matchup could be one of the contests that tilt the overall results one way or the other. The SEC needs Alabama, one of their premier teams, to win, but if Clemson wins this matchup, it will be a big upset for the ACC.

Live odds for Clemson vs. Alabama

Check out the live odds for Clemson vs. Alabama with the current moneyline, spread and total points available from the top online sportsbooks.

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Clemson Tigers betting news

The good news for the Tigers — they are undefeated, but it's fair to wonder just how good they are. Clemson has not played a Power Five opponent and has only covered twice in five games. A one-point win over UAB and three-point win over Davidson were underwhelming. A win is a win, though, and if Clemson beats Alabama on Tuesday night, no one will question their undefeated record.

Clemson's advanced metrics look good, as they are the 35th-ranked team in Kenpom's adjusted offensive efficiency and 57th in adjusted defense. Notably, Clemson is 60th in the luck rating, suggesting their two close wins could have easily been losses. 

Clemson will feed the ball to their star big man PJ Hall all night long, and they need him to have a big game to pull off the upset. Hall is more than capable, averaging 21.4 points — 19th in the country. Hall is coming off a 29-point performance, and with a young frontcourt for Alabama, the matchup sets him up for another big night. 

To have more than a puncher's chance against Alabama, the Tigers need at least one of their guards to have a strong game and provide a second scorer to pair with Hall. The top two candidates, Chase Hunter (13 ppg) and Joseph Girard III (12.4 ppg), have had season highs of 23 points and 18 points, respectively. If one approaches his season high and Hall hits his average, Alabama could be upset for the second time this season.

Alabama Crimson Tide betting news

Alabama started the season as hot as any team in the nation, scoring no less than 98 points in each of their first four games. The first Power Five opponent the Crimson Tide played, Ohio State, forced them to a season-low in points and upset Alabama as 6.5-point underdogs. The Crimson Tide came back strong the next day to beat a good Oregon team, and the offense returned to form, scoring 99 points. 

Since Nate Oats took over as coach, Alabama teams have been high-scoring, shooting a ton of threes and playing one of the nation's most exciting brands of basketball. The biggest weakness for the Crimson Tide has been their defense — or lack thereof. Alabama treats the defensive side of the floor similarly to how Allen Iverson treated practice. 

The Crimson Tide are the No. 1 offense in the country in Kenpom's adjusted offensive efficiency metric, while the defense ranks 61st; this can be misleading because of Alabama's weak early-season opponents. In their last two contests, both against Power Five opponents, they allowed 92 and 91 points.

Alabama tries to win in shootouts, but when a team puts pressure on and slows them down, it makes the Crimson Tide susceptible to losing to less talented opponents, like in the Ohio State game. 

Clemson vs. Alabama props bets at Caesars Sportsbook

PJ Hall prop bets

• 16.5 points OVER (-131) / UNDER (-111)
• 6.5 rebounds OVER (-141) / UNDER (-104)
• 1.5 assists OVER (+156) / UNDER (-238)

Joseph Girard III prop bets

• 13.5 points OVER (-123) / UNDER (-119)
• 2.5 rebounds OVER (-121) / UNDER (-121)
• 2.5 assists OVER (-117) / UNDER (-125)

Chase Hunter prop bets

• 12.5 points OVER (-135) / UNDER (-108)
• 2.5 rebounds OVER (-164) / UNDER (+111)
• 2.5 assists OVER (-121) / UNDER (-121)

Mark Sears prop bets

• 17.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-133)
• 4.5 rebounds OVER (-158) / UNDER (+108)
• 3.5 assists OVER (-123) / UNDER (-119)

Aaron Estrada prop bets 

• 16.5 points OVER (-1110) / UNDER (-133)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (-104) / UNDER (-141)
• 3.5 assists OVER (-113) / UNDER (-129)

Grant Nelson prop bets

• 13.5 points OVER (-129) / UNDER (-113)
• 6.5 rebounds OVER (-141) / UNDER (-104)

Clemson vs. Alabama prediction: Alabama outpaces the Tigers to win, but Clemson covers

Clemson will frustrate Alabama, and there will be moments when Crimson Tide fans will feel like they are watching the Ohio State upset again. Clemson does not have the firepower of the Buckeyes, though, and while PJ Hall likely has a huge performance, it is hard to imagine the Tigers scoring enough to keep up with Alabama's offense.

If Clemson gets a big game from a second scorer outside Hall, that could flip this contest on its head. Don't expect that, but with a spread floating around double digits, Clemson likely covers, as their defense won't allow Alabama to have one of their near 100-point nights.

Pick: Clemson