CFP Championship Preview: #1 Alabama vs. #2 Clemson

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after catching a 19 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Clemson’s Keys To Victory

Chunk Passing Plays: Thanks to their big arm quarterback and their big play receivers, the Clemson offense is 24th in the country in passing and to break it down a little further, Clemson is sixth in passing plays of 30 yards or more and tied for fourth in passing plays of 50 yards or more.

Going up against an Alabama defense, big passing plays may be there for the taking as the Tide defense that is 73rd in the FBS in passing plays allowed of 20 yards or more with 43. Connecting on these plays with receivers Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, and Hunter Renfrow will keep the Alabama defense on their heels the entire night.

3rd Down Defense: Can the Tigers get the Alabama defense off the field on third downs? That is going to be a huge question that Clemson will have to answer all night.

The Alabama offense is second in the FBS in third down conversions on offense at 53.9%. Meanwhile, this Clemson defense is fifth in the FBS in opposing third down conversions at just 28.3%.

Efficiency has been a constant for the Alabama offense all season long. Against an Alabama offensive line that has been suspect at times this season, this is where the All-American led defensive line can leave their fingerprints and get after the quarterback or cut off run lanes on third and short.

A high powered Alabama offense can not sustain drives if they fail on third downs.

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