Clemson vs. Alabama: Position-by-Position National Championship Breakdown
What's old is new again. After meeting in last season's College Football Playoff National Championship, Clemson and Alabama are set to clash in college football's first-ever national title rematch.
Both teams waltzed through the College Football Playoff semifinals, definitively establishing themselves as the two best squads in the country. It was a similar case last year, and the Crimson Tide nabbed a thrilling 45-40 victory in that battle with the Tigers.
Clemson's offense is largely built on returning players, but the Tiger defense and whole Alabama unit feature plenty of new starters.
Comparing these rosters by positional group solidifies the belief that these are two evenly matched teams. Starters are listed at the beginning of each section, though rotational reserves are mentioned as well.
Quarterback
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Clemson: Deshaun Watson
Alabama: Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts put together an excellent freshman campaign, winning the job in early September and guiding Alabama to the SEC crown. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin utilized the true freshman's speed to give the Tide a useful third dimension.
But there's a twist: Kiffin will not coach in the championship game. Instead, Steve Sarkisian will be calling plays for the Tide.
Deshaun Watson already held a clear edge in this category, but Hurts' championship debut just became that much more difficult. He's accustomed to Kiffin calling the shots, so the freshman must adjust to Sark while in the biggest game of his career.
No pressure.
While that'll be a fascinating storyline to follow, Watson is the obvious selection. The third-year starter is liable to throw an interception or two, and that could be a game-changing problem.
However, there are few, if any, quarterbacks a college football team would rather have in a clutch moment. In last season's matchup, Saban decided to call a surprise onside kick because he was concerned Alabama couldn't stop Watson, according to John Zenor of the Associated Press.
You don't hear Saban suggest that often.
Advantage: Clemson
Running Back
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Clemson: Wayne Gallman
Alabama: Damien Harris or Bo Scarbrough
Partly due to Watson's dual-threat ability, Wayne Gallman has been an overshadowed piece of the Clemson offense. In 41 career games, the back has scampered for 3,370 yards and 33 rushing scores.
But the Tigers need Gallman to use his 210-pound frame to protect against Alabama's powerful front seven, too. "I think he's been more consistent in his pass protection," co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said of Gallman's blocking this season, per Dan Hope of the Anderson Independent Mail.
According to CFB Film Room, he allowed just four hurries in 158 pass-block snaps through the ACC championship.
Gallman is the choice because of his three-down ability and value to Clemson's offense. If either Bo Scarbrough or Damien Harris went down, the drop-off wouldn't be large. After all, they've been sharing time while fending off Josh Jacobs, too.
Still, Scarbrough is a physical menace with tantalizing upside, and Sarkisian will likely pound the ball with him and Harris. For the Tigers to win, they must contain Scarbrough and Harris.
Advantage: Clemson
Wide Receiver/Tight End
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Clemson: Mike Williams (WR), Artavis Scott (WR), Hunter Renfrow (WR), Jordan Leggett (TE)
Alabama: Calvin Ridley (WR), ArDarius Stewart (WR), Gehrig Dieter (WR), O.J. Howard (TE)
Perhaps the most important difference between the 2016 matchup and the upcoming showdown is the availability of Mike Williams. He's a dominant target on the outside, boasting 90 receptions for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns since returning from a neck injury.
Deon Cain, who is averaging 19.1 yards per catch, will also boost Clemson after he was suspended for the playoff last year.
Additionally, the Tigers have an edge in the depth department. Led by Williams (90) and Artavis Scott (73), six targets have at least 33 catches, while Alabama has just three players with more than 15 receptions.
For the Tide, ArDarius Stewart fills an important function of the offense with constant pre-snap motion. Calvin Ridley is often a quick-hitting option but can stretch the field, and O.J. Howard is a not-so-secret weapon—something Clemson knows all too well.
Though that trio has dangerous potential, Alabama's pass-catching corps does not match Clemson's top-end talent nor its six-man depth.
Advantage: Clemson
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Offensive Line
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Clemson: Mitch Hyatt (LT), Taylor Hearn (LG), Jay Guillermo (C), Tyrone Crowder (RG), Sean Pollard (RT)
Alabama: Cam Robinson (LT), Ross Pierschbacher (LG), Bradley Bozeman (C), Korren Kirven (RG), Jonah Williams (RT)
If you divert your attention from the ball, you won't regret watching the car crashes happening each snap in the trenches.
Clemson must attempt to stop a group of outstanding edge-rushers while blocking a few disruptive interior players—most notably Jonathan Allen. Conversely, Alabama's focus may start on the inside because of the Tigers' space-clogging tackles.
Cam Robinson is a likely first-round NFL draft pick at left tackle, and he's backed up that billing for the most part. Clemson should find some success against freshman right tackle Jonah Williams, though.
The same goes for Alabama against Sean Pollard, who took over for injured right tackle Jake Fruhmorgen midway through the season. Pollard will hope his hands are full with Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson; otherwise, they'll probably already be past the freshman.
In the slightest of margins, 'Bama has the edge.
Advantage: Alabama
Defensive Line
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Clemson: Christian Wilkins (DE), Carlos Watkins (DT), Dexter Lawrence (DT), Clelin Ferrell (DE)
Alabama: Jonathan Allen (DE), Da'Ron Payne (NT), Dalvin Tomlinson (DE)
Clemson has assembled an imposing 4-3 front. Dexter Lawrence, a 6'5", 340-pound true freshman tackle—yes, you read that correctly—worked his way into the lineup alongside Carlos Watkins, which pushed Christian Wilkins to the outside.
The three, along with Clelin Ferrell, are the key reasons the Tigers have the nation's No. 19 rush defense and rank second in tackles for loss. Albert Huggins, Scott Pagano and Austin Bryant also contribute in small but needed roles.
Nearly every other college football team would love to have a unit like that. But Alabama has a stellar one, too.
Allen is arguably the most disruptive lineman in the country. He's officially credited with 15 hurries, though CFB Film Room—which often provides more accurate defensive metrics—lists him with 27 as well as 11 hits.
Dalvin Tomlinson and Da'Ron Payne are forces, and Alabama's "rabbits" package for nickel defense puts Williams and Anderson at end with Allen shifting inside. There isn't a more feared personnel group. Considering Clemson's starting four, that's really impressive.
Advantage: Alabama
Linebackers
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Clemson: Dorian O'Daniel (OLB), Kendall Joseph (MLB), Ben Boulware (OLB)
Alabama: Tim Williams (EDGE), Reuben Foster (ILB), Rashaan Evans (ILB), Ryan Anderson (EDGE)
According to ESPN's Chantel Jennings, Alabama blitzed Washington just four times during the semifinals. That's because of the pressure Williams and Anderson can provide off the edge and the confidence Alabama has in Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans.
Evans was a regular contributor all season, and he entered the starting lineup after Shaun Dion Hamilton tore his right ACL during the SEC championship game.
Williams and Anderson have combined for 17 sacks. Plus, per CFB Film Room, Alabama's current starters had totaled 42 stuffs compared to 23 missed tackles entering the semifinal. In other words: They're in the way at the line of scrimmage, and they don't miss.
Clemson's three-man unit is effective in a different way. The defensive line anchors the pass rush while the linebackers are sound against the run. Ben Boulware, Kendall Joseph and Dorian O'Daniel have collected 262 total tackles with 30.5 for loss yet just 10 sacks.
The Tigers boast one of the nation's best linebacking corps, but the Tide's game-changing talent gives their unit the edge.
Advantage: Alabama
Secondary
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Clemson: Cordrea Tankersley (CB), Van Smith (FS), Jadar Johnson (SS), Ryan Carter (CB)
Alabama: Marlon Humphrey (CB), Ronnie Harrison (FS), Minkah Fitzpatrick (SS), Anthony Averett (CB), Tony Brown (Star)
Both defensive backfields are aided by constant pressure up front. The defensive lines also have a little extra time because of terrific coverage in the back. The result is an even comparison.
Clemson holds a schematic advantage because defensive coordinator Brent Venables constantly mixes up pre-snap looks and utilizes a variety of coverages. Hurts' ability to rapidly diagnose what he's seeing will be tested.
But that assortment of coverages also involves a lot of trust in the players. Last year, the Tigers had a few breakdowns, and two of those mishaps turned into wide-open 50-plus-yard touchdowns for Howard.
Cordrea Tankersley is a lockdown corner, but his value will be instantly negated if Clemson blows an assignment elsewhere.
Marlon Humphrey and Anthony Averett are quality corners, and Alabama's press-man coverage is tough for average passing attacks to handle. However, if either player gets beat, it's usually deep. That's a potentially major problem against Clemson's vertical-oriented attack, which is far better than average.
Watson hung 405 yards on the Crimson Tide last season, and Alabama already allowed 400-plus passing yards to both Ole Miss and Arkansas this year.
The battle in the trenches is a huge factor, but a couple of explosive plays may decide the outcome. Which secondary is more vulnerable? Try flipping a coin.
Advantage: Push
Special Teams
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Clemson: Greg Huegel (PK/KOS), Andy Teasdall (P), Artavis Scott (KR), Ray-Ray McCloud (PR)
Alabama: Adam Griffith (PK/KOS), JK Scott (P), ArDarius Stewart (KR), Trevon Diggs (PR)
Last season's title wasn't won by the linemen or a quarterback or because of a coverage breakdown. It was special teams. Adam Griffith's perfectly executed onside kick and Kenyan Drake's return touchdown swung and kept the game in Alabama's favor.
Surprise calls may happen, but we won't try to predict them. Hence, "surprise." Just know the Crimson Tide are clearly prepared, and if Clemson breaks out a fake punt, it will probably involve Wilkins.
Otherwise, the Tigers have a solid punt team. Andy Teasdall doesn't have a massive leg, but the coverage unit has allowed just 43 yards on nine returns all year. That'll come in handy against Trevon Diggs, who is a touch reckless yet a potential playmaker.
If Ray-Ray McCloud has room on a punt, he might break off a nice chunk. While Alabama has surrendered an 11.1-yard average, only 19 of JK Scott's 54 kicks have been returned.
Field goals are pretty much a dead heat, since Greg Huegel and Adam Griffith sport 73.7 and 74.1 percentages, respectively. Huegel has only attempted three field goals in the last five games but has nailed 29 extra points, so that's perhaps a nonstory.
Neither team has a kick-return score, but Washington learned the hard way it's better to take a touchback than bring it out. Clemson might simply decide to avoid testing the unit.
The small detail that gives Alabama the edge is Scott's average punt of 47.4 yards, which is third-best nationally. Teasdall isn't even in the top 100 with a 38-yard clip. Ten yards of field position can go a long way in the championship.
Advantage: Alabama
All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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