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Aaron Doster / USA TODAY Sports

The third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will look for revenge when they square off against the second-ranked Clemson Tigers in the second College Football Playoff semifinal on Friday. The Buckeyes have lost each of their last three meetings against Clemson, including last year's 29-23 defeat in the Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State, who's making its fourth College Football Playoff appearance, enters the 2021 Sugar Bowl averaging 529.2 yards per game on offense. Clemson, meanwhile, is holding its opponents to just 17.5 points per game this season.

Kickoff from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Tigers are favored by seven points in the latest Clemson vs. Ohio State odds from William Hill Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 68. Before making any Ohio State vs. Clemson picks, you need to see what college football expert Barrett Sallee has to say. 

Sallee is a true insider -- a CBS Sports analyst, SiriusXM host, Heisman voter and consistently one of the top CBS Sports experts picking games against the spread -- and his best bets have helped bring in huge returns. He debuted with SportsLine in 2017 and has delivered in a big way. 

He went 59-35-2 (63 percent, plus $2,037) on all his college football picks for SportsLine in 2019, and he entered the week on a sizzling 74-45 streak on his best bets since the start of last year. In addition, Sallee has a keen eye for Clemson. In fact, he has gone an incredible 11-2 on his last 13 against-the-spread picks involving the Tigers. Anyone who has followed him is way up. 

Now, he has locked in on Ohio State vs. Clemson and released another confident against-the-spread pick. Go here to see it. Here are the college football odds and trends for Clemson vs. Ohio State:

  • Ohio State vs. Clemson spread: Tigers -7
  • Ohio State vs. Clemson over-under: 68 points
  • Ohio State vs. Clemson money line: Clemson -290, Ohio State +235
  • OSU: The Buckeyes are 3-3 against the spread in their last six games
  • CLEM: The Tigers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 bowl games

Why Clemson can cover 

Clemson is often heralded for its explosive offense. The Tigers are scoring 44.9 points per game this season, which ranks third in the nation. However, it has been their defense that has helped lead the Tigers to three straight wins. Clemson ranks sixth nationally in total defense, giving up 298.5 yards per game. The defense has wreaked havoc all season, recording 17 sacks, six interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers are led by Heisman Trophy finalist Trevor Lawrence. The junior signal caller has thrown for 2,753 yards, 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions this season. He's also been a factor on the ground, rushing for 211 yards and seven touchdowns. Also leading the charge for the Tigers is running back Travis Etienne, who's ran for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

Why Ohio State can cover

Ohio State is just 3-3 against the spread this season, but the Buckeyes feature one of the most explosive ground games in college football. In fact, Ohio State is averaging 275.7 rushing yards per game, the fifth-best mark in the country. Trey Sermon and Master Teague III have combined for nearly 1,125 yards in just six games, while quarterback Justin Fields has rushed for 274 yards and five touchdowns.

Ohio State's defense is allowing just 21.0 points per game this season. Pete Werner and Tommy Togiai are the standouts for a unit that has forced 16 turnovers. Werner has a team-high 37 tackles while Togiai has recorded three sacks. Shaun Wade has also been making an impact, with three passes defended and two interceptions.

How to make Clemson vs. Ohio State picks

Sallee has analyzed this matchup from all sides and he is leaning under on the total. He also has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing it at SportsLine. 

So who wins Clemson vs. Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Ohio State vs. Clemson spread you should be all over, all from the expert who is 11-2 in his last 13 against-the-spread picks involving the Tigers.