Vegas Play of the Day: Ohio State vs. Clemson

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016 | 2 a.m.

We’re entering the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015. Bern stepped away in the middle of the 2016-2017 season with a 16-12 record and $13,317 bankroll, with Mike Grimala taking his place.

Ohio State minus-2.5 vs. Clemson: $550 to win $500

Both Clemson and Ohio State played one of the toughest schedules in the nation. The Tigers fared well, posting a plus-283 scoring differential in 13 games.

The Buckeyes were even better, outscoring opponents by 342 points despite playing one less game. Oh, and Ohio State’s slate was a little tougher to begin with.

According to FEI ratings, Ohio State’s strength of schedule was No. 8 in the country. Clemson’s was No. 16.

The pro-Clemson sentiment going into this game isn’t registering with me. Scratch that, I get where it’s coming from.

Clemson won its last two regular season games by a combined 91-20, while Ohio State struggled to slip by with a 47-43 advantage. The Tigers are the play because they looked better at the end of the season, right?

Wrong. Ohio State was better all year, and laying less than a field goal with it against any other than Alabama is a bargain.

Clemson had close calls of its own this season, but isn’t being punished by the betting market for them because they didn’t happen recently. Ohio State should have locked up a second berth in the College Football Playoff championship game by tonight.

Current Standings: Keefer (31-22-2, $11,311), Brewer (21-17-1, $10,645), Grimala (2-2, $10,000), Granger (4-8, $6,550)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.