CFP National Championship 2016: Box Score Predictions for Alabama vs. Clemson

Can the top-ranked team in the nation really be disrespected?

That's the card that Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney played after his Tigers dismantled the favored Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year's Eve.

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“I said you ain’t favored to win the damn game but we ain’t no underdog. All I know is we're going to the natty!" https://t.co/y8vuvssFkf

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2016"

It's fairly certain he will play that card again as Clemson prepares to play favored Alabama in the CFP National Championship Jan. 11 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1) are a seven-point favorite over Clemson (14-0), according to Odds Shark, even though the Tigers have passed every test they have been given this season.

Oklahoma was looked at as the hot team going into the semifinal round, but Clemson showed its class by outscoring the Sooners 21-0 in the second half and rolling to a 37-17 victory.

Joe Skipper/Associated Press

Quarterback Deshaun Watson's athleticism and skill were on display at all the key moments in the game, as he completed 16 of 31 passes for 187 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he also hurt Oklahoma badly with his running ability.

Watson carried the ball 24 times for 145 yards and a touchdown, and he showed off his skills on designed running plays and scrambles from the pocket.

Watson has completed 303 of 444 passes for 3,704 yards with 31 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions on the year. He has also rushed for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Watson is the trigger to Clemson's offense, which scored 35 points or more nine times this season. However, Watson is not the only weapon, as running back Wayne Gallman punished Oklahoma for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Wideouts Hunter Renfrow and Artavis Scott combined for 11 receptions and 122 yards against the Sooners.

Alabama is not going to be intimidated by Clemson or the big stage, though, because it's clear that Saban knows how to prepare his team for critical situations. Alabama not only withstood a tough challenge from a powerful Michigan State team, but the Tide also dismantled the Spartans by a 38-0 margin.

The Alabama defense is the strength of this team, and in addition to registering the shutout, the Crimson Tide defense limited Michigan State to 29 yards on 26 rushing attempts.

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Alabama's defense was 'everywhere' in win over Michigan State https://t.co/XvsLoo9fOj

— Izzy Gould (@IzzyGould) January 1, 2016"

That same defense is going to attempt to shut down Watson, and while Alabama may not be able to play as effectively as it did against the Spartans, it will make life difficult for Watson.

Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (36 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks in 2015) leads a brilliant Alabama front four, and that unit should harass Watson throughout the title game.

Alabama will also try to unleash Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry on Clemson's defense. Michigan State focused its defense on stopping Henry, but he still gained 75 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Alabama quarterback Jake Coker was razor sharp against the Spartans, completing 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Coker has completed 67.1 percent of his passes this season with a 19-8 touchdown-interception ratio.

These two teams will trade punches well into the third quarter, but look for Saban's defense to take hold by the time the fourth quarter gets underway.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Prediction: Alabama 34, Clemson 20

While the players on the field will decide the championship, it's tough to go against a Saban-led team. He has already won four national championships (three at Alabama), and he knows how to prepare his team for the biggest stage.

If he wins a fifth national title, he will be right on the heels of legendary Alabama and college football icon Bear Bryant, who won six during his coaching career.

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Nick Saban needs 1 win to join Bear Bryant as only coaches in major college history w/ 5+ national championships. pic.twitter.com/p80IAG6J56

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2016"

Swinney will use his team's underdog status to motivate his team, but he's going to have to do more to prepare his team to play against the powerful Crimson Tide.

Watson will make his presence felt, but at a certain point in the third quarter, the Alabama defense will figure it out and find a way to slow him down. At the same time, Henry will heat up and punish the Clemson defense.

Watson will run for 80 yards and pass for 175 more. Gallman will be held in check and won't get more than 50 yards in this game.

Henry will run for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while Coker will continue with his accurate passing and throw for 260 yards and two more touchdowns.