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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Clemson Tigers: National Championship Preview

By Eric Robinson

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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries the ball against Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries the ball against Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

We are finally here. Dabo vs. Saban. The college football playoff has presented us another interesting matchup of two distinct styles of football. With Alabama, you have the rugged, blue-collar nature that is led by Heisman trophy winner Derrick Henry and his 2,016 yards with 25 touchdowns.

Not to be outshined is a Crimson Tide defense that has a front seven that is possibly the best front seven that coach Nick Saban has coached while in Tuscaloosa. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney took over the program in 2008 and has ascended Clemson University into the upper-echelon of college football with high-powered offenses and athletic defenses.

Let’s dive into the preview of the heavyweight showdown.

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Can Alabama football contend for the SEC and the Playoff?
Can Alabama football contend for the SEC and the Playoff? /

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    • Why Alabama May Win

    Alabama’s offense begins and ends with Henry. The junior running back took home the Heisman Trophy after posting nine games of 100+ rushing yards, including four games over the 200 yard hurdle. Henry looked absolutely unstoppable and Saban knows it as Henry totaled 359 carries on the season. Second string RB Kenyan Drake spells Henry from time to time and the senior running back has averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the season. The two ball carriers have powered Alabama to 28th in the country in rushing (205.1 ypg).

    WR Calvin Ridley is the team leader in catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns and will be vital going up against Clemson’s secondary that is filled with NFL talent.

    As stated earlier, the front seven for Alabama is loaded with elite talent. Linebackers Reggie Ragland (97 tackles) and Reuben Foster (64 tackles) are top-notch defenders who roam from sideline to sideline, laying out anyone in their path. They are also first and second respectively in total tackles on the team. DE/OLB Jonathan Allen leads the team in sacks with 12 and will be even more important as Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is an elite dual threat quarterback.

    A defense that is first in the nation in total defense (266.2 ypg) and second in points allowed (13.9) is going to bring the blitz and numerous rushers as they have an abundance of talented edge rushers including Tim Williams (10.5 sacks) and Ryan Anderson (six sacks).

    Why Clemson May Win

    Watson made a very clear case to win the Heisman himself in his first full season as a starter. Throwing for 3,704 yards and 31 touchdowns along with rushing for another 1,032 yards and 12 TDs, Watson has given defenders headaches all year. Watson has four games where he has thrown for over 340 yards and at least two touchdowns to show that he’s not just a “running quarterback”.

    Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates his win against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
    Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates his win against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

    Leading receiver Artavis Scott (86 catches, 868 yards, five TDs) has been huge for Clemson this season as they lost their dynamic receiver Mike Williams in week one of the season. WR Cherone Peake (44 catches, 617 yards, five TDs) is also vital to the success of the passing game.

    RB Wayne Gallman may be the unsung hero of the unit as 1,469 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Even with Watson’s numbers, Clemson is a run heavy offense and the o-line has the task of protecting Watson and also allowing time so Watson can make plays with his arm as well as his legs.

    A sprained MCL suffered in the previous game against Oklahoma has hindered Clemson DE Shaq Lawson (55 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks) and his playing status is up in the air. Whether or not he plays, the defense discipline and athleticism will be tested by the rugged Alabama offense. LB Ben Boulware (78 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss) will be key with his sure tackling as it will definitely take several defenders to wrap up and bring down Henry.

    Clemson’s defense as a whole has given up nine game on the season of 100 yards or more on the ground. Clemson is 23rd in the nation in takeaways. The stat is key as it will help “defend” against Henry and keep the big guy off the field.

    Key Notes

    • Alabama is first in the nation in run defense (69.7 ypg) as well as yards per carry (2.3)
    • Both defenses are in the top five in completion percentage (Clemson, 2nd, 48%/Alabama, 4th, 49%)
    • Since 2011, Clemson is 20-5 against non-conference opponents
    • Since 2010, Alabama is 70-10 as favorites
    • Last five bowl wins by Alabama has been by an average of 29 points

    Who Will Win

    The clear cut two best teams in the entire landscape of college football will lock horns. Saban has made a mark on the college football history in these type of games. Although Dabo Swinney has never coached for the “big one”, beating Bob Stoops twice, Urban Meyer, and Les Miles in recent years is nothing to sleep on.

    The front seven for Alabama will have a lot of say so in this matchup. If they get to Watson consistently, expect a game that was about as ugly as Alabama’s matchup vs. Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.

    Expect a heavy dose of Derrick Henry to set the tone for Bama’s offense which will open up the deep ball for QB Jake Coker and Ridley. In Swinney’s back pocket is CB Mackensie Alexander and safety Jayron Kearse, two elite defenders that are a part of the tenth ranked passing defense (183.9 ypg). Athletic, mobile quarterbacks have given Saban and his Tide issues in the past. Look for Watson to make just enough plays with his feet to upset the Tide.

    Tigers 24 Crimson Tide 21

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