Storyline: Even though Clemson has a lot of momentum going into this game, it’s hard picking against The Tide.
Santa Claus dropped off a late Christmas present for college football fans on New Year’s Eve.
When this season began, many fans probably hoped that Clemson and Alabama would square off again for the national title. Their wish was granted last Saturday night.
Clemson was too much for OSU (photo, The State)
Undefeated and defending national champion, Alabama, took down #4 Washington in The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, 24-7. #2 Clemson flat-out embarrassed #3 Ohio State in The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, 31-0. Those outcomes yielded the first national championship rematch in the playoff era.
This game has the potential to be a classic. Alabama hasn’t lost a football game since September ’15 and Clemson would love nothing more than to avenge last year’s loss.
What advantages does each team have going into Tampa on Monday night? Let’s take a look.
Alabama’s Advantages
Just being Bama: It may sound pretty elementary, but wearing ‘Alabama’ on your jersey can intimidate an opposing team. That comes from facing off against a team that has ripped off 26 straight victories and has taken the national title four out of the last seven seasons.
Courtesy: gamedyr.com
This is nothing new for Saban: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has made it back to the Promise Land for the second year in a row. That’s impressive. But Alabama coach Nick Saban has been here so many times they might just give him the trophy when he arrives at the stadium. During his storied and successful career the 65-year-old Saban has appeared in a national championship game five times. What’s even more impressive? He has brought home the hardware each and every time. He COMPLAINS about being in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME because it messes up his recruiting schedule!
The trench warfare is so good it might have ended World War I in mere weeks: The Crimson Tide are going to win the battle in the trenches. There’s just no doubt about that because, like any other Saban team, the O-line is the primary reason for ‘Bama’s offensive success. This year’s line has opened up huge holes for Bo Scarbrough and Jalen Hurts as The Tide accumulated a whopping 3,454 yards on the ground this year. The team’s mascot, an elephant by the name of Big Al, is a perfect representation of the Tide’s huge, overwhelming line. How would you like going up against somebody that’s 6-4, 350 pounds, and all muscle? That’s the dimensions of Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown. Ouch!
Clemson’s Advantages
‘Uncle Mo’ is on their side: I didn’t think that anybody could have more momentum than Alabama going into the national championship game. But after what Clemson did to Ohio State, I think the advantage goes to Clemson. The Tigers didn’t just take the Buckeyes to the woodshed, they left them there to die. Ohio State never had momentum and Clemson made Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes look like a team out of the MAC. That domination comes on the heels of Clemson’s regular season finale, a dismantling of in-state rival South Carolina, 56-7. There’s simply no hotter team in America today than Swinney and the Tigers.
It’s elementary for Watson (photo, Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Time to warm up the air raid siren: Deshaun Watson lost the Heisman trophy to Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson this year, but he didn’t lose because the junior had a lesser year. Watson passed for 4,173 yards and 38 touchdowns. Simply put, the Tigers rode Watson’s arm all the way to Tampa. That’s important because a breach in “The Great Wall of ‘Bama” is the Tide’s secondary. It’s not that ‘Bama’s secondary is bad. It’s just sub-par by Tide standards. And it’s how Ole Miss almost beat Alabama this past September. Rebel quarterback Chad Kelly had a good night (26-of-40, 421 yards, three touchdowns) and ‘Ole Miss was up 24-3 late in the second quarter before Alabama rallied furiously to win, 48-43. For Clemson to win on Monday, Watson needs to “test the waters” early and often by throwing deep bombs up the sideline. Short, underneath routes just aren’t going to work against mighty ‘Bama.
Swinney’s “general” is experienced: It may be hard to view Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts as “inexperienced,” but many fans forget he’s only a true freshman. While he has answered the bell so far this season, he has never been on a stage as big as he’ll find in Tampa on Monday night. But Watson has been there and done this. The experience factor could very well be the deciding factor in this ball game.
PREDICTION:
Alabama will strike first, but Clemson will rally to take a narrow lead into halftime.
Courtesy: USA Today
In the second half ‘Bama’s defense will score a defensive touchdown and powerful running back Bo Scarbrough will gradually wear down the Tigers’ defense.
Deshaun Watson will mount one last heroic drive, but it will stall deep in Alabama territory.
Nick Saban will national championship #6.
I say ‘Tide by a field goal and extra point: Alabama 38, Clemson 34.
