Ad Disclosure
10 numbers that matter the most about tonight’s national championship game
Published:
As Alabama and Clemson get set to do battle yet again for the national championship in Tampa, here are 10 numbers to keep in mind as you watch the game that could prove pivotal.
1. Tide comes in from all directions
Three Alabama players have 8-plus sacks. No other team can match that. In fact, only four other teams in the entire country even have a pair.
Jonathan Allen (9.5), Tim Williams (9.0) and Ryan Anderson (8.0) will make it hard for Clemson to focus on any one pass-rusher in particular.
On the other hand, Clemson has only allowed 1.1 sacks per game, which is third-best among Power 5 teams. It’s accomplished that behind a front that includes three of the five offensive linemen who earned First-Team All-ACC honors.
2. Slippery No. 4
And even when you do pressure Deshaun Watson, that can backfire.
In last season’s national title game against Alabama, Watson scrambled 7 times for 49 yards and converted four first downs. Meanwhile, he completed 6-of-9 passes for 140 yards outside the pocket.
Alabama’s defense is great, but keeping up with Watson isn’t easy and no one can stay with Clemson’s weapons forever.
3. Beware of Bo
Of Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough’s 180 rushing yards in the CFP semifinal win over Washington, 116 of them came after contact.
The Huskies simply weren’t up to the challenge of tackling the 6-foot-2, 228-pound monster that hails from Tuscaloosa.
Even with all the tremendous running backs at Alabama over the years, Scarbrough’s 180 rushing yards set a school record. Clemson is 19th in the FBS in rushing defense, allowing 123.1 yards per game.
4. Tigers in your backyard
Clemson averages 8.8 TFL per game, 3rd-best in the FBS. Alabama allows 7.2 TFL per game, which is 13th in the SEC and 108th in the country.
On that same note, the Tigers have posted multiple sacks in 12 straight games, the longest streak around.
Too many negative plays for Alabama could prove costly against a Clemson offense that can make big plays.
5. Can Alabama’s second offense strike again?
Alabama has 11 defensive touchdowns, including a pick-six in the SEC Championship Game against Florida and another versus Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
If the Tide record another score against the Tigers, it would be the most by any defense since the turn of the century, breaking a tie with 2012 SMU.
6. Watson prolific but far from perfect
Watson could give Alabama’s defense a chance to do what we just mentioned. He’s thrown 17 INTs this season. The only player in the FBS to throw more was Purdue’s David Blough (21).
Curiously enough, Watson displayed some of his worst decision-making of the season against the second-worst pass defense in the country. On Nov. 12 against Pittsburgh, Watson threw two INTs in the end zone (one into double coverage, another into triple coverage) en route to the team’s only loss of the season.
Watson has thrown a pick in all but four games.
7. Clemson has weapons for days
There’s no question that Alabama’s defense has its hands full on Monday night. Clemson has a 4,000-yard passer (Deshaun Watson), 1,000-yard rusher (Wayne Gallman) and 1,000-yard receiver (Mike Williams).
Only one other Power 5 team can match that kind of versatile production, and that’s Oklahoma State with QB Mason Rudolph, RB Justice Hill and WR James Washington.
However, Clemson has five other pass-catchers who’ve posted at least 400 receiving yards. That includes TE Jordan Leggett, who’s caught 39 passes for 641 yards and 7 TDs.
8. Bama can make big plays, too
The Crimson Tide’s playmaking ability can be overlooked sometimes. Alabama has recorded 48 plays from scrimmage that have gone for 30-plus yards, tied for the most among all Power 5 teams.
That’s the same number of plays Oklahoma and Penn State have made. The only team with more is Western Kentucky with 61.
Alabama’s been fairly balanced, too. Of those 48 plays, 29 have come through the air with 19 on the ground.
9. Alabama doesn’t get breaks from the zebras
One thing that may shock a lot of Bama haters out there: Refs don’t actually favor the Tide.
That’s evidenced by Alabama’s opponents only being penalized 3.9 times per game for 31.1 penalty yards per game. Both of those averages are the fewest in the entire FBS.
Against Washington, the Tide were hit with 11 flags while the Huskies were called for just three.
10. Jalen Hurts, the second-half stud
Alabama’s true freshman QB has been outstanding in the second half of games. Hurts has a passer rating of 168.6, which is third among all Power 5 quarterbacks who have played at least five games.
The only two who have been better? That would be Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield (189.4) and Penn State’s Trace McSorley (185.8). Hurts has completed 67 percent of his passes with 11 TDs and 2 INTs.
Clemson has only allowed a passer rating of 97.8 after halftime, which is fifth in the country.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
