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Taking a position-by-position look at Alabama vs. Clemson, here’s what to watch for in Monday night’s national championship showdown between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers:
QUARTERBACK — Clemson: The Tigers have arguably the best QB in America in Deshaun Watson, who finished third in this season’s Heisman voting behind Alabama’s Derrick Henry and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey. The 6-foot-2 220-pounder from Gainesville, Ga. was OK throwing the ball against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, completing just 16 of 31 passes for 187 yards, a touchdown and an interception. But he was much more impressive with his legs, rushing for a career-high 145 yards and a TD on 24 carries. That’s right around 6 yards per attempt, something that should give Alabama’s defense some pause. Watson’s 1,032 yards on the ground make him the sixth-leading rusher in the ACC, and only two FBS QBs have had more rushing yards this season — Navy’s Keenan Reynolds (1,373) and Houston’s Greg Ward (1,108).
Watson’s counterpart, Jake Coker, has gotten better and better every week. He was masterful in Alabama’s 38-0 mauling of Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, completing 25 of 30 passes for a career-best 286 yards. On the season, he has completed 247 of his 368 throws (67.1 percent) for 2,775 yards, 19 TDs and just 8 INTs, including none over his last four games.
Coker has been very good over Alabama’s 11-game winning streak. But Watson has been outstanding for Clemson (14-0), and gives the Tigers a clear-cut edge here.
RUNNING BACKS — Alabama: What can you say about Derrick Henry that hasn’t been mentioned already? This season’s Heisman Trophy winner keeps chugging along, rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan State on only 20 carries. We say only here because Henry averaged 45 attempts in wins over Auburn and Florida the previous two games. Henry, who has had four 200-yard games this season, can add to his SEC record and FBS-leading 2,061 rushing yards and 25 TDs against the Tigers, who shouldn’t count on him being a decoy for a second straight game.
While Henry has been great, Clemson’s top tailback Wayne Gallman has been really good. Against Oklahoma, the sophomore had 150 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in what was ninth 100-yard rushing day of the season, which coincidentally matches Henry. Plus, Gallman’s 1,482 yards on the ground were second only to Florida State’s Dalvin Cook in the ACC. It’s advantage Henry, who has averaged 5.74 yards per this season compared to Gallman’s 5.51.
WIDE RECEIVERS, TIGHT END — Alabama: Calvin Ridley, who had eight catches for 138 yards and two TDs in the Cotton Bowl, is the best wideout on either team. With 1,031 receiving yards, Ridley has broken Amari Cooper’s freshman record at Alabama, and he gets a lot of help from No. 2 receiver ArDarius Stewart (61 catches, 637 yards, 4 TDs). Senior Richard Mullaney (37, 361, 5) has been solid in the slot for the Crimson Tide, and tight end O.J. Howard (33, 394, 0), a future NFL talent, had 3 big receptions for 59 yards against Michigan State.
All-ACC second team tight end Jordan Leggett (35 catches, 447 yards) leads Clemson’s pass-catchers with seven TD grabs. Artavis Scott (89, 868, 5 TDs) and Charone Peake (44, 617, 5) are the Tigers’ top two receivers, but Deon Cain (34, 582, 5) remains suspended for Monday night’s game for violating team rules. Hunter Renfrow (26, 404, 3), who caught Watson’s lone TD pass against Oklahoma, is someone to watch.
Both teams’ receiving corps are deep, but Ridley is the difference-maker here.
OFFENSIVE LINE — Even: The Crimson Tide’s blockers have helped their ballcarriers average 4.80 yards an attempt, and the Tide has rushed for 30 TDs while allowing (1.5) sacks per game.
The Tigers’ ballcarriers are averaging 4.99 yards per rush, which is ninth, while Clemson has run for 33 TDs. Clemson is yielding just 1.14 sacks per game to tie for first in the ACC and rank 14th in the FBS.
Three Bama linemen – center Ryan Kelly (first team), tackle Cam Robinson (first team) and guard Dominick Jackson (second team) were All-SEC selections this season. Meanwhile, Clemson guard Eric MacLain and center Jay Guillermo were All-ACC picks.
DEFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: The Crimson Tide, which held Michigan State to just 29 yards on 26 carries, is first in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (70.8); Bama is also tied for first in the FBS in rushing TDs allowed (6). Alabama also leads the country with 50 sacks.
Clemson, which held Oklahoma to only 67 yards on 33 attempts, is 18th in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game (124.4). The Tigers, who have surrendered 15 TDs on the ground, are fourth in the country with 43 sacks.
After missing most of the Orange Bowl with a left knee injury. All-American defensive end Shaq Lawson (Clemson-leading 10.5 sacks, FBS-best 23.5 tackles for loss) is expected to play Monday night. If Lawson is less than 100 percent, teammates Kevin Dodd, D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins will have to step it up.
Alabama’s Jonathan Allen and A’Shawn Robinson are first-team all-SEC selections, and along with teammate Jarran Reed, could be NFL first-round picks in the spring. The Crimson Tide uses as many as nine players in its defensive line rotation. That depth — and Lawson’s status — gives the Crimson Tide the upper hand here.
LINEBACKERS — Alabama: Senior Reggie Ragland, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, leads the Crimson Tide with 97 tackles. Teammates Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson have combined for 16.5 sacks. Reuben Foster, who appears poised to lead Alabama’s defense next season, shares the team lead with nine pass break-ups.
All-ACC second-team linebackers B.J. Goodson (98 stops) and Ben Boulware (79) are two of Clemson’s top three tacklers this season, and each picked off Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield in the Orange Bowl. The duo has combined for 22 tackles for loss and nine sacks, but neither is as good as Ragland, and Alabama’s depth in this department stands out.
SECONDARY — Even: The Crimson Tide leads the SEC with 18 interceptions and is allowing 186 passing yards per game to rank 18th in the FBS.
Clemson is surrendering 177.2 passing yards per game to rank ninth in the country, and has picked off 16 passes. However, the Tigers did allow Mayfield to throw for 311 yards and a TD in the Orange Bowl.
Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safety Jayron Kearse were both named All-ACC this season, and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley bolsters a solid group.
First-team All-SEC safety Eddie Jackson (tied for 2nd in the SEC with 5 INTs) and cornerback Cyrus Jones (SEC-leading four punt returns for TDs) anchor a secondary that has increased its passes defended per game from 4.77 in 2013 to an SEC-leading 6.5 this season, which ranks fifth in the FBS.
Minkah Fitzpatrick has had a terrific freshman season with 41 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interception returns for touchdowns. Geno Matias-Smith leads Bama’s defensive backs 61 tackles.
These groups could be even more balanced than the teams’ offensive lines. They should be fun to watch.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
