College Football Playoff Preview: Allstate Sugar Bowl Clemson versus Alabama

In a battle of two top defenses in the nation, which offense will do enough to lead their team to the title game of the College Football Playoff?

In a rematch of last seasons National Championship, Nick Saban and his Alabama Crimson Tide will look to get revenge on Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers. Both teams come in boasting stellar defenses which should make for a tightly contested game in the second of the two College Football Playoff semi-finals.

Game: Allstate Sugar Bowl
Teams: #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. #1 Clemson Tigers (12-1, 7-1 ACC)
Time: January 1, 2018 8:45 PM
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome; New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: ESPN

The Crimson Tide rolls in with one of the nations top defenses. This may seem like a standard statement when it comes to Alabama, but the fact they compiled such stifling defensive numbers while battling injuries all season should terrify the Tigers.

Injuries to Alabama’s linebacking corps have rendered that unit paper thin, and it’s only gotten worse.

Head Coach Nick Saban has announced that linebacker Dylan Moses, who suffered a broken foot before Christmas, will be out. Hootie Jones and linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton will also be out for the Clemson game.

The good news for Alabama is outside linebackers Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis, who played in the Iron Bowl, will both play against Clemson.

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Injury issues have plagued Alabama all season, but they have overcome. A huge reason for that is defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

If there is one player who can impact the game more than any other, it will be Fitzpatrick.

Many experts have Fitzpatrick slated as a top five draft pick in the NFL draft and for good reason. He will need to be dynamic to shut down the Tigers.

Quarterback Kelly Bryant seamlessly replaced Deshaun Watson, but he’s not Watson. He certainly has the tools to beat Alabama, and coach Dabo Swinney will no doubt scheme to exploit any deficiencies in the Tide defense.

Bryant is not as strong a passer as Watson, and if Alabama can build a lead, Bryant will be called on to chuck it much more than he has all season. If you remember from last years National title game, Watson threw the ball 56 times against ‘Bama.

Clemson doesn’t necessarily have explosive receivers in Deon Cain or Ray-Ray McCloud. They can be effective, but Alabama should be able to hold them in check for the most part. Their running back tandem of Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster rely heavily on their offensive line as neither can take over a game on their own.

The Tigers’ offensive line is absolutely stacked. If they can control the line of scrimmage, Clemson could be looking at another win over Alabama.

As is the case with Alabama, it is the defense of Clemson that is their bread and butter. They are also similar to Alabama in that they have battled injuries all season.

Clemson’s defense goes as its defensive line goes. Led by 340 pound tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Tigers typically dominate the trenches. Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant will also give the Tide’s offensive line fits. This could very well be the matchup that determines the game.

Keeping Jalen Hurts upright is going to be imperative for Alabama. The sophomore quarterback has been effective, but not as explosive as many expected.

Hurts will need to use his legs and arms to beat Clemson.

This game could be a defensive struggle, or a battle of two strong quarterbacks. Whichever the case, it is going to be an exciting matchup between two teams who know each other very well.

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