Headline: It will be a rematch of last year’s national championship game as Clemson and Alabama will once again battle for a national title. Alabama and Clemson have been the two best teams in the country all season long so it is only fitting that they meet again tonight.
The Crimson Tide are led by a ferocious defense which has stifled opposing offenses all season long. The Tide have scored 11 defensive touchdowns this season.
Clemson on the other hand is led by Deshaun Watson and an explosive offense that can generate match ups and make big plays down the field.
Expect another close game similar to last season’s 45-40 Alabama win. It will be interesting to see if Alabama can continue their run of dominance or does Clemson finally break through and win a national championship? We’ll find out tonight.
Here are three keys for both teams.
Three Keys for Clemson
1. Watson Must Protect the Football:As good as Deshaun Watson is, he is prone to turning the ball over. He threw an interception on Clemson’s second possession of the game against Ohio State and he threw another interception later in the game.
Watson has a tendency to force the ball and he trusts his arm way too much. He must make good decisions in this game and not force the ball where it doesn’t belong.
2. Contain Jalen Hurts: Clemson has to make sure that Jalen Hurts is a non-factor in this game. Hurts really struggled against Washington, especially throwing the ball. If Clemson can stop Hurts as a runner and keep him the pocket and make him a passer, they can win this game.
3. The Defense Must Generate Turnovers: Clemson must find a way to generate turnovers. It will be awfully hard for the Tigers to win this game if they don’t find a way to generate a couple of turnovers. Alabama doesn’t beat itself so it will be hard for Clemson to win this game if they don’t pick up an extra possession or two and take advantage of them.
Three Keys for Alabama
1. Adjust to Sark Calling the O: I don’t care what Nick Saban and the Bama faithful say. There will be some growing pains early in this game for the Bama offense with Steve Sarkisian calling plays. Sark has done it before and some will argue he is a better play caller than Lane Kiffin but to thrust him into this role now is daunting for Sarkisian and the players.
Could this cost Alabama the game? Probably not, but it will affect them.
2. Get Consistent Pressure on Watson: Deshaun Watson is lethal if he has time to hang in the pocket, go through his progression and deliver the football on time. The Tide must get their trade mark pressure on him on a consistent basis tonight. They must force Watson into bad throws. As I mentioned earlier, he’ll make mistakes, especially under duress.
3. Limit the Big Plays: Clemson’s offense is the most explosive offense Alabama has seen this season. The Tigers make big plays both in the run game and in the pass game. Whether it is Watson, running back Wayne Gallman or wide receiver Mike Williams, the Tigers have the ability to score on any given play.
Alabama has two terrific corners in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey who are capable of shutting down Clemson’s receivers but they are going to need to play sound and within the scheme.
Prediction: Alabama 27 Clemson 24: I wanted to pick Clemson, I really did but it is tough to pick against Nick Saban and the Alabama machine. Some way, some how, the Tide will find a way to win this football game.
I don’t think the rematch will be as high scoring as last year’s game but it could be a better game if that’s possible. I’m rolling with the Tide.