Matchup: #1 Alabama vs. #2 Clemson
Location: Levi’s Stadium. Santa Clara, CA.
Date and Time: January, 7th. 8 PM EST.
Background Information:
It’s once again here. The game that everyone has been looking forward to since the beginning of August. And it’s round 4 of Bama-Clemson. This rivalry has turned into the Warriors-Cavs of College Football and has some people unsettled and wanting something new. Personally, I love that they get another chance and that these two schools can share the stage once again. This matchup makes it so much better in that both teams rank in the top 15 in both total offense and defense.
This season has been special for the Crimson Tide in that it’s statistically been the best season offensively in the Saban era and Nick finally has a QB that has the potential to be a very high draft pick in the 2020 draft. Tua has been nothing but a wizard this season with almost 4,000 total yards and 46 Touchdowns to just 4 Interceptions. The amount of weapons around Tua makes this offense must watch and keeps Bama so dominant. No one really blows up in the stats category in the rushing game, but Bama has a 3 headed monster at RB with Damien Harris, Jacobs, and Najee Harris. They have another amazing trio out wide with 2 players with double digit TD totals (Jeudy 13, Ruggs 11) as well as Biletnikoff Award winner. Even though they rank in the top 15 in defense, the defense hasn’t gotten quite as much recognition this year as they normally do, but has some NFL quality players as always. LB Mack Wilson, Anfernee Jennings and S Deionte Thompson have been some notable players that have stepped up and been impact players. One player to watch for though is Freshman CB Patrick Surtain II. He had the tough time of facing Ceedee Lamb and Marquise Brown and will have his hands full once again with Tee Higgins.
For Clemson, it’s revenge time for the Tigers after getting embarrassed a year ago, 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl. This year’s team looks like the best team under Dabo since he took over back in 2009. Travis Etienne has had the best season any Clemson back has ever had. Clemson has 3 receiver with 500 yards and a blend of youth as well as experience. They have 3 DL with 10 TFL’s or more and a DB that leads the team in tackles, forced fumbles (4th in the ACC) and pass deflections with Sophomore Safety, Justin Simmons. Both team once again has NFL talent. Both teams have playmakers at every position that should make this game amazing. It’s almost time for Bama-Clemson Part 4.
Players to Watch out for:
Alabama:
Offensively, it’s the person that ran through Oklahoma in the Semi-Final. He’s the 3rd leading rusher, but is a difference maker and that’s RB Joshua Jacobs. He had 98 rushing yards as well as 60 receiving yards and a touchdown. He may not be the main featured running back in this contest, but his versatility and ability to show some power should make him so tough to defend. Jacobs is essentially the swiss army knife of this offense with so many other playmakers on the field. Guys like Jeudy, Ruggs, Waddle, Both the Harris’s as well as Tua, it give Jacobs an opportunity to shine. Defensively, potential top 5 pick DT Quinnen Williams is by far the biggest threat to Clemson. Williams was relatively quiet with just one tackle and QB Hurry. But in the national championship game, when you’re best player needs you, look for Williams to be one to step up. In 2018, Williams has 18 TFL’s and 8 sacks (which is second on the team). The fact that he has that many sacks as a DT is special and he is the closest thing to Aaron Donald that we’ve seen in quite some time.
Clemson:
Travis Etienne is going to get a ton of attention as he should as Etienne has been nothing short of amazing this year (1,573 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns). But it’s a player that has not been much of an impact player this season for the Tigers. But when he’s played the Crimson Tide, he’s been a throne in their side. In what seems like his 7th or 8th year playing, it’ll be the final game in the collegiate career of WR Hunter Renfrow. In the first matchup, Renfrow racked up 7 catches for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 45-40 classic back in 2016. Renfrow would continue it with another scrappy performance against the Crimson Tide. He had 10 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the second TD that would shake the entire college football world.
Part 3 didn’t quite live up to the hype, but that was a season where Clemson wasn’t quite as dominant during the season and had playmakers at receiver that Bama doesn’t normally have. If Renfrow has another 2016-2017 type performance, watch out Crimson Tide fans. Coming into the season, most of the talk was around DT Dexter Lawrence and how he has first round potential and NFL Superstar written all over him. That has taken a downward spiral as he’s been rather underwhelming with 7 TFL’s and one sack. Lawrence is also suspended indefinitely due to PED’s. But it’s been DE Clelin Ferrell that has stepped up and put up POTY type numbers for the Tigers. He finished the season with 18.5 TFL’s and 11.5 sacks (#1 in the ACC in both categories). Ferrell is the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, First team All-America as well as the Ted Hendricks Award Winner (college football’s top defensive end).
Keys to a win:
Alabama:
It’s crazy to think about, but Clemson doesn’t have a huge glaring weakness. Their top 5 in total offense, has a 1,500 yard running back and a defense that ranks #2 in the nation. It might have to come to doing the small things and playing fundamental football. Clemson is slightly above average in not getting too many penalties and does tend to cough up the ball a little bit with 9 fumbles. As expected, Clemson likes to score quick and if they don’t, they can be easy to get off the field. Clemson is 95th in Time of Possession and 44% on third down. If they don’t score quick, Clemson’s offense could sputter and give Tua more chances to put up points on the board.
Clemson:
Something that Alabama hasn’t been as great as they normally are is forcing turnovers and red zone offense. Even though Alabama has among the best offense in the nation, they are average (67th) on converting red zone opportunities into points. They are 84% (which is good), but when you’re that good, nitpicking might be the difference in the game. Alabama is 55th in gaining turnovers and Oklahoma was able to not cough it up once. Lawrence only has 4 turnovers on the season, but a freshman in a national championship game can be a tall task. Tua was able to handle it really well, we’ll see how Trevor can weather the storm and if he can bring Clemson their 2nd title in 3 years.
Final Verdict:
This game will not be like the 2017 Semi-Final matchup, when Alabama rolled the Tigers with Kelly Bryant at QB. Alabama gets off to a quick start, but the Tigers responds with 2 Trevor Lawrence touchdowns to Tee Higgins. But late in the game, Jacobs takes over and finishes the game with a rushing touchdown to put the Crimson Tide up for good and Alabama goes back to back. Alabama 34, Clemson 24.
Image Credit: https://arrowheadaddict.com/2019/01/06/prospect-profile-josh-jacobs-from-alabama/. https://thespun.com/acc/clemson-tigers/clelin-ferrell-shirt-dexter-lawrence-suspension-cotton-bowl
