If you watch ESPN, listen to ESPNU Radio or maybe read some of the national websites, most believe Clemson’s defense has no shot at stopping quarterback Joe Burrow and LSU’s offense in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 13.

The Bayou Bengals are the hot pick after scoring 63 points on Oklahoma in last week’s national semifinals at the Peach Bowl. Burrow threw seven touchdown passes, ran for another and tossed the ball around the yard for 493 yards in less than three quarters. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught 14 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns.

Las Vegas opened the line at 3.5 points and it quickly moved up to 5.5 as everyone jumped on the LSU bandwagon.

However, let’s not underestimate Clemson and defensive coordinator Brent Venables. He has two weeks to figure out a way to stop Burrow and LSU’s high-flying offense, or at least slow it down, and if there is anyone who can do it, it’s Venables. Ask Alabama. No one gave the Tigers much of a shot last year to slow down Tua Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide with all of their great receivers, either.

Even with Clemson’s great defensive front last season, the Tigers were a 6.5-point underdog to Alabama. I think we all know the final results of that matchup.

If you are still not convinced, ask Ohio State. The Buckeyes, before last week’s Fiesta Bowl, were the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense. Clemson held Ohio State to a season-low 23 points.

The Buckeyes still lead the nation in red zone touchdowns. They were 0-3 against the Tigers.

Ohio State was converting a nation’s best 56.8 percent on third down prior to the Fiesta Bowl, and the Tigers held them to 38.9 percent. The Buckeyes still lead the nation in third down offense at 55.2 percent.

Though it might be the best, LSU is not the first high-powered offense Clemson has seen this year or any year during the Tigers’ run to national prominence. They stifled Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield in the 2016 Orange Bowl when no one else could. The Sooners scored a season-low 17 points in that game.

When playing these unworldly offenses the last five seasons, the Tigers have given up 16 (2018 Alabama), 17 (2015 Oklahoma) and 23 points (2019 Ohio State).

Here is a breakdown, from a statistical standpoint, when LSU has the football:

LSU’s scoring offense: 48.9 points (1^st nationally)

Clemson’s scoring defense: 11.5 points (1^st nationally)

LSU’s total offense per game:  564.1 (1^st nationally)

Clemson’s total defense per game: 264. 1 (2^nd nationally)

LSU’s rushing offense per game: 166.9 (60^th nationally)

Clemson’s rushing defense per game: 112.6 (16^th nationally)

LSU’s passing offense per game: 397.2 (2^nd nationally)

Clemson’s passing defense per game: 151.5 (1^st nationally)

LSU’s yards per rush: 4.86 (32^nd nationally)

Clemson’s yards per rush allowed: 3.1 (9^th nationally)

LSU’s yards per attempt: 10.7 (5^th nationally)

Clemson’s yards per attempt allowed: 5.5 (1^st nationally)

LSU’s yards per play: 7.91 (2^nd nationally)

Clemson’s yards per play allowed: 4.16 (2^nd nationally)

LSU’s completion percentage offense: 76.3 percent (1^st nationally)

Clemson’s completion percentage defense: 52.1 percent (8^th nationally)

LSU’s sacks allowed: 30 (95^th nationally)

Clemson’s sacks: 42 (12^th nationally)

LSU’s rushing TDs: 31 (23^rd nationally)

Clemson’s rushing TDs allowed: 9 (tied for 5^th nationally)

LSU’s passing touchdowns: 56 (1^st nationally)

Clemson’s passing TDs allowed: 9 (tied for 1^st nationally)

LSU’s interceptions thrown: 7 (tied for 25^th nationally)

Clemson’s interceptions: 19 (3^rd nationally)

LSU’s lost Turnovers: 12 (tied for 8^th nationally)

Clemson’s forced turnovers: 30 (2^nd nationally)

LSU’s third down offense: 50.9 percent (5^th nationally)

Clemson’s third down defense: 31.5 percent (12^th nationally)

LSU’s red zone TDs: 55 (2^nd nationally)

Clemson’s red zone TDs allowed: 10 (1^st nationally)

LSU’s red zone TD percentage offense: 78.6 (5^th nationally)

Clemson’s red zone TD percentage defense: 35.7 (2^nd nationally)

Clemson is going back to the national championship game after once again winning the Fiesta Bowl over Ohio State. Get your official national championship and Fiesta Bowl champs gear right here!