College Football Playoff National Championship
#1 Alabama vs. #2 Clemson
Alex
The rematch we've all been waiting for. We saw the Golden State-Cleveland rematch and were not disappointed, but now we get the best one of all, the College Football National Championship. The Tide and the Tigers meet yet again, and this year I believe the script will be flipped. That's right, you heard me right, CLEMSON WILL BEAT BAMA!! Let me explain why...
Statistically, Clemson does not look as good as the Clemson of last year. However, they are a much better team in my opinion. First off, the Tigers will have WR Mike Williams for this game, where he was out for last year's National Championship game. Williams is a match-up nightmare, he's 6'3 225, and has over 1200 yards and 10 TDs receiving this year. If there is any weakness in the Tide's incredible defense, it's in the secondary. They're young, talented players, but Clemson has arguably the best WR corps in the nation, and they have experience on their side. The Tigers average nearly 330 passing yards per game, so I think Bama will have a difficult time stopping them through the air. Establishing a run game will be very difficult, so look for Clemson to throw in all sorts of wrinkles into their offense as well.
Secondly, Clemson has this kid, I think his name is Deshaun Watson?, who is absolutely incredible. I have loved watching him play QB over the past couple of years because he will not be stopped by anyone. He tore apart the Tide's defense in last year's game, and I know he will be looking to do the same this year. He'll have to kill the turnover bug as he's thrown 17 picks this year, but I don't think there is a better "Big Game" QB than Watson. His level of play increases tenfold once the lights turn on, and I think he'll have a big night.
Thirdly, probably the most important factor, is Clemson's defense. Again, the stats don't show it very well, but I truly think that this defense is better than last year for the Tigers. Jalen Hurts has been amazing for the Tide as a true freshman this year, but he's still a true freshman and has never faced a defense quite like Clemson's. Their d-line gets pressure on nearly every play, and the linebackers and secondary are so quick to the ball, there's no room to get players any space. Ohio State has just as good, if not more explosive offense than Alabama's, and the Tigers played with the buckeyes like a Cat plays with a yarn ball. The Tide will be looking to establish the run game early, making sure not to put Jalen Hurts into too many passing situations. The Tigers only give up around 120 yards on the ground per game though, so look for Bama to be put into a lot of 3rd and not-so-easy downs. That means Hurts will have to pass and as I mentioned, Clemson's secondary and linebackers do not allow opponents to get any kind of cushion.
Finally, the last factor on why I know the Tigers will win is because they've been here before. Obviously Bama has too, but their team is very young, playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores who were not in the game last year. Clemson has 8 returning offensive starters who played in this game last year, and a lot of their big play makers on defense as well, including LB Ben Boulware. I think the experience from last year's loss, the chip on their shoulder will put a fire into Clemson unlike any game they've played this year. The Tide are an incredible team, but Clemson takes this game with a thrilling 38-33 victory!
Nate
So hey. I assume
I’m going second here, so let me explain all of why Alex Fernando is wrong.
Clemson is not going to win the national championship, Alabama is. Going by the
eye test, this seems like a no brainier. Clemson has looked up and down all
season. It wouldn’t be surprising if they had lost 4-5 games this season.
Alabama has only beat one team by less than double digits: Ole miss, who they
were up by 18 late in the 4th quarter. They haven’t even remotely
been challenged all season. I think Clemson is the best team they will play all
year, but don’t get it twisted, this will be about as close as the Washington
game. Bama has 6 players graded in the first round of the draft, and if you
have any hope that Clemson’s offense will be able to sustain blocking guys like
Jonathan Allen or Tim Williams or Minkah Fitzpatrick, then I’m just as shocked
as you are. They have the greatest college football coach of all time, arguably
the greatest defense of all time, and an offense that isn’t too shabby either.
I’ve always had it in my mind that Bo Scarbourough was the cream of the never-ending
crop of Alabama running backs. He isn’t Derrick Henry (yet), but he looks damn
close, rushing for over 100 yard each of the last few games. Jalen Hurts didn’t
have a great game against Washington, only getting 50 yards through the air and
on the ground, but he presents a threat that Clemson’s defense will have to
account for. Hurts doesn’t play like a Freshman anymore, and I have doubts that
even Clemson’s rather solid defense can contain this offense for the whole
game.
Don’t get me
wrong, I’m not rooting for the Crimson Tide, I want Alabama to lose just as
much as you do, but you can’t tell me it doesn’t feel inevitable. Book Saban to
win his 6th title, the Crimson tide keep the trophy.
Alabama: 35 Clemson: 24
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Special Guest: Nate Muhlbach
Alex Fernando
